AFTER the successful St Patrick’s Night with Chris Newman and Maíre Ní Chathasaigh and writer/actor Dick Johns, Penarth Acoustic Club returns to the familiar territory of its acoustic cabaret format this month.

The club will welcome back two duos and a poet who have entertained audiences in the past, on Friday, April 21, in the Penarth Conservative Club.

Since their first appearance at the club in 2015, Bella Collins and Gareth Evans have been busy developing a reputation on the live music circuit, combining appearances at the Brecon Jazz and Tenby Blues Festivals last year, with the release of their debut duo CD Golden Days and Bella’s first solo album, Late and Blue, last September.

Featuring the vocals of Bella supported by the improvised guitar work of Gareth, their influences range from the great jazz era artists such as Joe Pass, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, to more contemporary artists such as Amy Winehouse and Prince.

Ned Edwards and Hywel Maggs are accomplished performers who bring acoustic music to a new level. When they first appeared in the club in September 2015, they entertained with their playing interspersed with humour.

Well known around Penarth, Ned Edwards has played with Red Beans and Rice and Red Hot Pokers, Ned’s career then saw him work as musical director with Van Morrison, with whom he recorded numerous CDs.

He has performed all over Europe and the USA and played the Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, the Albert Hall and Glastonbury to name but a few. His career has also seen him tour with Bo Diddley and Jerry Lee Lewis and he has supported the likes of Dion, Georgie Fame and Tom Jones.

The other member of the duo, Hywel Maggs plays a mixture of styles from Gypsy Jazz through Western Swing to Blues and Country.

Poet Emily Blewitt is welcomed back to read from her debut collection, This Is Not a Rescue, due for release by Seren Books this month.

Her work has been widely published in The Rialto, Prole and Poetry Wales amongst others. An award-winning poet, Emily finds inspiration from her childhood memories and has recently completed her PhD in English Literature at Cardiff University.

Penarth Acoustic Club is hosted by musicians Phil Nedin and Adrian Lewis, and meets on the third Friday of every month.

Tickets are available from Pencerdd Music or Griffin Books, or online via the club’s website at penarthacoustic.club, where full details of all events can be obtained.