Biography

The diatonic button accordion is transformed into a modern, emotionally-rich, instrument by Andy Cutting. Although rooted in traditional music, Cutting has brought a fresh approach to the traditions. According to Q magazine, Cutting "has helped to blow away a few of the cobwebs that surround traditional music". Folk Roots praised Cutting for his "pure, wholesome, wondrous, playing". A former member of Celtic rock band, Blowzabella, Cutting has continued to expand the limits of the squeezebox with his involvement with a variety of projects. In addition to three albums recorded with fiddler Chris Wood, Cutting has explored the traditional music of Wales, Brittany and England with Fernhill, a band he shares with Ceri Rhys Matthews, Jonathan Shorland and Julie Murphy, and, The Two Duos Quartet, a group he shares with Wood, Ian Carr and Karen Tweed. Until recently, Cutting also performed with Tanteeka, a highly eclectic band featuring semi-acoustic and electric guitarist Olly Knight, saxophone, clarinet, whistle player and vocalist Jo Freya and trombone, tuba and Euphonium player and vocalist Alice Kinlock. Cutting has also collaborated with June Tabor, Kate Rusby, Nigel Eaton, Sting and Pete Morton. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi