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Broomdasher are a five-voice London-based acapella group who had many years’ experience between them before they first formed in 2016.
Since then, they’ve created an enviable reputation for their arrangements, harmonies and engaging live shows, which give the audience lots of opportunities to join in..
Their debut CD Nothing To Do With Me also earned them enthusiastic reviews for their inspired harmonies and imaginative arrangements.
They reguarly sing at folk clubs and festivals, have hosted their own radio specials and been re-booked everywhere they’ve performed. All their recordings are in the British Library's National Sound Archive Collection as " an outstanding example of grass roots folk music today".
In 2022 and 2023 they are singing at British Cathedrals with Belshazzar’s Feast’s Paul Hutchinson’s new band Coracle, as the only RVW150 Festival touring event celebrating Vaughan Williams’s’ 150th birthday. Also at the beginning of 2022, they are featured on Fatea Magazine’s “Bands to watch” album out in February.
In 2021, they toured their much-praised folk musical, based on Edith Holden’s Country Diary of an Edwardian lady. The CD was hailed as an album of the year by Folking’s Mike Davies and described as “wonderful” by Folk London. The live show played to full houses and Camden Live said: “I love them! They’re real people having a good time”.
Broomdasher are: Chris Hayes, a former member of the London Lubbers and The Hogeye Men; Deena Marcus-Jedamzik, who was taught by Leon Rosselsson; Josephine Swinhoe, classically trained by Vaughan Williams protégé John Carol Case; Margaret Moore, an actress and member of the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble and Richard Cryan, a member of Dorten Yonder and formerly a regular on BBC Radio Derby as half of The Moonshine Duo
From Pub To Pulpit Vanue and Media Responses
It was everything I hoped it would be and more. It's a unique idea and I had visions of everyone raising the roof at the end. And that really did happen. One couple told us they heard about it on the radio and drove up from Truro to be here. They said it was thoroughly worth the effort.
We were so excited by this. Our choir don’t normally get to sing anything in this vein, and they really threw themselves into it. Would love to do more. And weren’t the audience fantastic!
It was a fabulous concert and a great way to start our weekend. – the audience are saying really lovely things about it, so thank you so much for bringing it to us.
It was really exciting and different. We’ve never done anything like that before and it was magnificent. Please let us know if you're doing anything else as we would love to be involved.
My favourite event at the Festival. Standing room only and it was uplifting to hear them all singing.
We thoroughly enjoyed your fabulous set and the singing the hymns together was electric!"
“We had been looking forward to this for such a long time and it was magical, beautiful evening. It drew the largest audience of any of our Cathedral’s 900th Anniversary celebrations.
Responses from Media
A unique piece of live musical education and entertainment with a truly rollicking flavour.
It’s such a brilliant idea and I’m not surprised that audiences are responding so well. Extremely uplifting.
Unique and brilliant - proving that the Devil doesn't have all the Best Tunes.
A good concept delivered by good performers with a resounding culmination to the evening.
A wonderful idea brilliantly brought to life by talented and exciting performers. The joy it brings to audiences is amazing.
Broomdasher are an affiliate member of the English Folk Dance and Song Society based at Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London, where most of them sang before forming the group.
They are Chris, a former member of shanty festival favourites Hogeye Men and the London Lubbers, who also worked with Skinny Lister; Deena, who was taught by and toured with Leon Rosselson; Jo, originally a classical performer, who studied with revered baritone John Carol Case renowned for his work with Vaughan Williams; Margaret, an accomplished woodwind player and actress as well as a singer and Richard, a member of Dorten Yonder, who was also half of BBC Radio Derby regulars The Moonshine Duo’.