Ian Telfer

A founding member of the Oysterband, Ian Telfer has continued to explore ways of bridging the ancient musical traditions of England and modern sensibilities. His instrumental skills inspired www.germanreview.com to proclaim that "his glorious fiddling moved the evening into the realm of ecstasy." Telfer is equally strong as a lyricist, sculpting tunes that reflect his love of the English language. The first in many generations of his family to not become a sailor or banker, he studied language and literature at Aberdeen University. He claims the poetry of John Berryman as a major influence. Playing music since childhood, Telfer didn't consider a career as a musician until leaving school in the mid-'70s. Although he had transferred to Kent University in Canterbury, he gave little attention to his studies. Flunking out, he took a series of jobs, including waiter and bartender. The move to Canterbury, however, was not a total loss. Meeting future Oysterband bandmates John Jones and Alan Prosser during pub jam sessions, Telfer was invited to join their English country dance group Fiddler's Dram. The group had tremendous success, recording a major novelty hit, "Day Trip to Bangor," in 1979. Formed as a part-time offshoot of Fiddler's Dram, the Whitstable Oyster Co. Ceilidh Band, featuring Twelfer, Jones, and Prosser, played their first performance in November 1975. Five years later, they began performing as the Oyster Ceilidh Band. Shortening their name to the Oyster Band in 1982, they became the Oysterband a decade later. ~ Craig Harriswww.germanreview.com to proclaim that "his glorious fiddling moved the evening into the realm of ecstasy." Telfer is equally strong as a lyricist, sculpting tunes that reflect his love of the English language. The first in many generations of...