andycasserley

Andy started attending West Midlands folk clubs before he was officially old enough to go into the pubs.  His first instruments were a whistle and a mandolin.  Eventually he bought his first concertina, which became his main interest.  Since then he has learnt to play many different instruments.  He joined Aston Rams Morris team in the mid 70’s and later played and danced with the Paradise Island Border team.

He has played in a number of different bands over the years and for over 20 years has been in the dance band Captain Swing who have played for festivals and dances all over England.  For a number of years he also played and sang in a duo with the late Geoff Hughes.

Over the years he has played for medieval banquets at Warwick Castle, performed on radio with the group Brummagem even sang in the Dudley Tunnel.  He has recorded two solo albums, A Curious Age and A Mass of Money Linen, Silk and Starch and one with Captain Swing as well as playing as a session musician for other performers.

He is a resident at the Black Diamond Folk club in Birmingham and has been attending the club since the 1970’s.

In 1994 and 1997 he took part in productions of Medieval Mystery Plays performed at Birmingham Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey and in the 1997 production was Musical Director.

He was offered redundancy from BT in April 2002 and then decided to take the big step to become a professional musician.  He started by working in residential homes and workshops in schools and then progressed to working for Birmingham Music Services as a peripatetic music teacher and leading Living History sessions in Sandwell.  He also works regularly in historic venues playing period music for events and workshops as well as giving talks and performances about historical instrument to many different types of groups.

He is in possession of a Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure, enabling work with children and vulnerable adults.