The Shem Fillmore Quartet

About the show

English traditional music from a parallel universe – Shem Fillmore and his quartet stir together the future, past and alternative timelines into a seething broth. The music draws from the social music making of recent traditions, as well as mystical threads from the baroque-era and more contemporary influences. The band explores patterns, rhythms, movement and the crooked and exciting corners of the English tune repertoire. Last summer they performed at Folk in a Field festival, and released debut EP Quincunx.

Shem (violin, 10-string mandolin, vocals) is from the edge of the Brecklands in black-shuck haunted East Anglia, and draws inspiration from the social music making from the region, as well as other musical influences from throughout his life. Alice Mary Jelaska (clarinet) is a British-Croatian musician based in London. Her influences and interests are wide-reaching; across folk, jazz, pop, classical, world music and free improv. She has performed with many folk and indie folk groups at venues and festivals across the UK and Europe.

Stefano Ancora (percussion) is a London-based drummer and percussionist, originally from Italy. He is an active performer involved in an eclectic range of situations and music genres, including live concerts, studio recordings, contemporary dance and theatre productions. Amelia Wilding (double bass) works regularly with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO), and the hugely influential Tomorrow’s Warriors organisation. She can be found around various London venues with her iconic Blue “Jaco-esque” Fender Jazz Bass, and this summer supported Yolanda Brown.