Gavin Fairhall Lever

Gavin Fairhall Lever are a stunning explosion of colour in the wild and unruly garden of the London folk scene. A tangle of roots from Northern Ireland, Cornwall and Norfolk gives exuberant life to a truly contemporary folk music, full of thorns and flowers.

The trio bring together the exhilarating, joyful tumble of Celtic trad, a melodic warmth, vibrant rhythmic invention, and the subtle expressivity of jazz harmony. Tunes unfold like stories, with dynamic and textured arrangements keeping the pages turning, from chapters of luminous stillness into passages of unstoppable drive.

All performed with a compelling combination of fire, precision and mongrel bite.

The trio have become renowned for their captivating live performances, ‘flawless’ (Folk London), including at Caceres Irish Fleadh (Spain), Zilleghem Folk (Belgium), Broadstairs Folk Festival, and Celtic Connections Glasgow. Following on from the success of their debut record, their second album Tearing Down Walls was recorded live to tape at Analogue Catalogue Studios in Northern Ireland with Julie McLarnon, Lankum, Alasdair Roberts, Brian Eno, and released to acclaim in February 2025.

“Thoroughly thrilling” – Songlines

Known for his consistently strong collaborative work at the forefront of London’s thriving folk scene, with TEYR, The Rad Orchestra, and Jez Hellard, multi-instrumentalist James Patrick Gavin creates music that dances a line between tradition and irreverence. His work has been described as ‘High energy brilliance’ (Folk Radio UK). This trio showcases Gavin’s mastery of the full expressive range of the violin. ‘The sound of today’s London Irish’ (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2).

Adrian Lever’s clear tenor voice delivers the songs of the trio, while his seasoned and steady guitarist’s hand forms the rhythmic heart, complete with characteristic Balkan and flamenco stylings. ‘Excellent intricate guitar work’ (The Hexham Courant), ‘hauntingly subtle [and] rhythmically incisive’ (Classical Music Daily). Past collaborations include Horses Brawl, with Laura Cannell, ‘Impossible to pigeonhole… a breath of fresh air’ (THE TIMES); and Alma, with leading English fiddlers John Dipper & Emily Askew ‘Magnificent’ (The Living Tradition).

Tim Fairhall contributes a distinctive style on double bass, coming from a background in contemporary jazz, improv and post- classical electronica. His playing has been described as ‘First class.. rounded beauty’ (Jazz Journal). He has performed on stages as diverse as Cologne Philharmonic and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, and with musicians ranging from Sephardic singer Yasmin Levy to the piano/laptop-led trio Piano Interrupted; he brings an improvisational alertness and sensitivity, jazz musicianship and an adventurous spirit to the trio.

‘An exhilarating mashing together of Celtic and Eastern European traditional music and jazz harmony.. Especially thrilling.’ – Guardian

‘Trio music at its utmost best.. a complex and brilliant trio who turn raw ingredients from folk, jazz and more into masterpieces.’ – FolkLondon

‘The vibrant trio bring their multi-instrumental talents to an impressive collection of mostly original material that is an absolute blast to listen to. One of my top favourites of the year… Brilliant.’ – RnR

‘GAVIN FAIRHALL LEVER’s ecstatic and adventurous music is a giddy series of tone poems; the sizzling, smoking fiddle and the insistent, questing guitar dart wild and free over a solid anchor of the double bass…razor-sharp composing and surefire musical virtuosity.’ – FolkWales

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