“rum-and-kidney men”

Fiddlers that play at feasts, fairs, weddings, &c. and live chiefly on the remnants of victuals

B.E.'s Dictionary of the Canting Crew, 1699, quoted in “Forgotten English” Calendar 2002, J Kacirk

The Rum and Kidney Band's sound is built around Jane Cunio's melodeon, underpinned by Mary Lepley's chunky piano bass line and with counterpoint provided by Caz Ritchie's recorder and Henry Lovegrove's fiddle. They play a selection of extremely danceable tunes - mostly English, but with a leavening from elsewhere in the British Isles and beyond.

We play for barn dances and similar occasions. We're based on the Somerset Dorset border. We'd like to play for your barn dance! Have a look around the site to find out more.