Celebrating their 25th anniversary, early music ensemble, Joglaresa, directed by Belinda Sykes, release Sing We Yule on 1st December 2017.

On 1st December, London-based early music ensemble, Joglaresa, directed by Carnegie Hall soloist Belinda Sykes, release Sing We Yule, their new album of medieval, folk, and contemporary song featuring guest soloist Dame Emma Kirkby. The sixth studio work by the ensemble, the disc celebrates the group’s 25th anniversary and 25 years of Belinda’s career as one of Britain’s most imaginative performers of medieval song. Sykes’ critically acclaimed approach to early music includes a unique penchant for improvisation, which constantly re-draws the distinction between composer and performer. Among the 21 tracks of Medieval, Renaissance and traditional Yuletide song are some of Joglaresa’s trademark genre- defying approach to traditional repertoire: a mash-up of medieval motet Ave Rosa, 80s band Dead Or Alive, and American rapper Flo Rida (although with words in Latin); an old-timey hoedown take on Ding Dong Merrily; a Pythonesque ‘Killer Rabbit’ instrumental complete with knife percussion. Highlighting Joglaresa’s trademark genredefying approach to traditional repertoire, Sing We Yule also features a mash-up of medieval motet Ave Rosa, 80s band Dead Or Alive, and American rapper Flo Rida (although with words in Latin).

Joglaresa tour Sing We Yule with dates on:

23 November – Andover

5 December – Chipping Sodbury

9 December – Hemel Hempstead

11 December – York

12 December – Skipton

14 December – Nottingham

16 December – Cutty Sark, London (Official CD Launch Concert)

19 December – Cockermouth