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The Somerville Gentlemen’s Band

So many instruments, so little time…

 

ATTENTION! UPCOMING GIG ANNOUNCEMENT…

Fifty Years in Song: A Golden Celebration with The Somerville Gentlemen’s Band

Friday 20th June 2025 | 7:30 PM | Harbury Village Hall, Leamington Spa

Fifty years ago, in the warm glow of a pub session at the Somerville Arms, a group of lads stumbled upon something special—harmonies that blended effortlessly, instruments that wove stories, and a love for folk music that would stand the test of time.

Now, half a century later, The Somerville Gentlemen’s Band returns for a one-night-only concert, celebrating five decades of music, camaraderie, and the spirit of folk. With an ensemble featuring guitars, mandolins, melodeons, fiddle, concertina, saxophones, and the unmistakable Somerville vocals, this promises to be an unforgettable evening.

Though we sadly lost Ted Crum five years ago, his spirit will be present in every note played. Joining the band this year is Richard Ferrar on bass.

This is an intimate venue with limited seating, so be sure to secure your tickets early.


Music, gentlemen, please !

True Gents

The Gents burst onto the folk scene in the 70's and quickly gained popularity in the clubs and festivals as a band of many talents - great musicianship on a bewildering array of instruments; a highly-imaginative and varied repertoire; and most of all, thoroughly entertaining performances, with great songs, stories and good-humoured repartee.Then real life intervened and the Gents took a long holiday...for 23 years! But now the 70's folk 'boy band' is back! They've re-formed, remodelled and regenerated, and they're delighting audiences again...

"We've some cracking new songs, and loving it more than ever! Check us out!"

The band’s 40th Anniversary concert at the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, 21st September, 2019.

The band’s 40th Anniversary concert at the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, 21st September, 2019.

 
 

THe supremely talented, irrepressible and irreplaceable…

Edward Tudor Crum

 
“To drink, or not to drink…” Ted in philosophical pose, on the band’s memorable tour of Brittany, 1980.

“To drink, or not to drink…” Ted in philosophical pose, on the band’s memorable tour of Brittany, 1980.

Sadly, our beloved Gent, Ted, succumbed to Covid 19 on 4th April 2020. Edward (Ted) Tudor Crum was a founder member of the band and appeared in all combinations ever since the mid-’70s. Missed by all, he cannot be replaced and his friendship will always be remembered most fondly. After all, we’ve been friends and fellow band members for over 40 years.

Ted was a well-known figure on the folk scene; a gifted singer with his own unique style, and an exceptionally fine musician. As well as being a Gent, he was a founder of jazz-folk ensemble, Steamchicken, which included his sons, Matt and Joe, and he was also in The Jam & Crumpet Band, with his wife Sue.

The folk scene will be missing a truly gifted and well-loved musician, singer and all-round Gent.

Ted singing “The Poacher’s Lament”.

Ted singing “The Poacher’s Lament”.


Kate in the 60’s.

Kate in the 60’s.

Kate Gotts

Kate played keyboards with The Somerville Gentlemen’s Dance Band from its formation in the early 80’s, alongside her husband, Andy, who played electric guitar.

It was with great sadness we heard that she died on 27th July 2020.

Peter McDonald unearthed this excellent photo of Kate backstage at a 60’s gig in Leamington, flanked by Martin Carthy, with Barry White (standing), John McIntosh (front, white shirt and tie) and Peter (behind, also with tie).

Fond memories of Kate larking about on stage and wearing extravagant headgear. Her playing was exemplary and, along with Andy’s tasteful guitar chops, she added a certain gravitas to the band’s sound.

 

Gents news

What’s New?

At the time of Ted’s funeral, at which only immediate family were permitted to attend because of the lockdown, the other Gents met on Zoom to raise a glass to Ted - a parting glass…

We thought back to our 40th anniversary concert at the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, in September 2019 - the last time all six of us performed. It was a great night with a fabulous audience and we performed The Parting Glass as an encore. Ted finished the evening by thanking the audience and telling them “You’ve made some happy men very old!” Typical Ted!

The five of us decided we would continue as a band, feeling sure that Ted would have been very cross with us if we decided otherwise. He’s irreplaceable, of course, not least because he was one of the finest harmonica players on the planet.

So, the Gents play on! Both as a five-piece and as three-piece (Peter McDonald, Phil Ferrar & Jem Patterson), depending on the occasion.

GIGS LATEST:

The gig planned for 14th November 2021 has been cancelled due to difficulties getting all the band members together. We’re looking at a full band gig sometime in the Spring or Summer 2022.

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The Gents (L-R): Phil Ferrar, Martin Cole, Jem Patterson, Dan Dorning and Peter McDonald

The Somerville Gentlemen’s Band and ‘Gentlets’ at the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, 21st September 2019.

This was the last time the six Gents played together.

The band is available for gigs in 2021, once we can all start socialising again!

Call Phil Ferrar: +44 7768 600464 or email philferrar@me.com