Dedicated to all those inspired by folk and traditional fiddle music from around the world.

My biography.

I initially learnt the basics of the violin when I was a boy but in my wisdom, at the tender age of fourteen, I saw myself more of a rock-star than a classical musician and I stopped playing violin in favour of teaching myself guitar. Well....school, work, marriage and a family rather side-stepped my fortunes as a rock god and it was many years later before I was re-introduced to live music by a good friend involved in the local traditional music scene. At that time I didn't even own an instrument!

Encouraged by the fun others were obviously having playing traditional tunes, I bought a fiddle purely on impulse at an auction, just to see if I could coax a tune out of it! As you might imagine it took me six months hard labour to be brave enough to take it out to a music session and another six before I dared play a solo!

That's when the 'devil’s instrument’ took hold of me. I didn’t meet him at midnight at Oaks Bar* but I’ve had so much fun with it since and met so many interesting and friendly people through playing, it has changed my life completely.

Here in East Lancashire I’m trying to generate interest among people, young and old, to learn to play the indigenous music that was once the wallpaper in this part of the world. There is a lack of opportunity for people to learn traditional music, song and dance in the region and using this website and my efforts in teaching and playing the fiddle, I hope to rectify that imbalance. If I can enthuse people just half as much as I have been then we're definitely back on track.

Please use the menu for more information or contact me directly.
Julian Taylor.



* Oaks Bar - The Ribble Valley equivalent of 'The Crossroads'!



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