Bryony Griffith

Bryony Griffith
Bryony Griffith in 2015, taken by Kristen Goodall
Background information
Born	1977 (age 39–40) Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
Genres	traditional songs, traditional tunes
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	violin, piano, voice, viola
Years active	1993–present
Associated acts	Demon Barbers, Witches of Elswick
Website	http://bryonygriffith.com/

Bryony Griffith, (born 1977 Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK), is an English fiddle player and singer, specialising in English traditional songs and tunes. She is best known for her work with the Demon Barbers and a cappella quartet Witches of Elswick.

Griffith was born into a musical family, learning the piano alongside the violin. She was educated at King James's School, Almondbury, followed by Greenhead College, and studied French and Spanish at University of Hull. In her early teens, she joined the ceilidh band Bedlam and played in folk music venues and festivals around the United Kingdom. As part of her degree, she spent a year in Vannes, Brittany, teaching English and studying traditional Breton music. She later became a musician for Dog Rose Morris dancers and The Newcastle Kingsmen rapper dance team. With Dog Rose Morris, she appeared on the BBC programme Later…With Jools Holland.

In 2000 Griffith relocated to Newcastle upon Tyne, and flat-shared with Becky Graham (nee Stockwell) and Gillian Tolfrey. A year later they were joined by Fay Hield. All four had a background in traditional music, and Hield and Tolfrey studied at the University of Newcastle’s recently set up traditional music degree scheme. Against this background, they formed a cappella quartet Witches of Elswick. Two albums followed – Out of Bed in 2003 and Hells Belles in 2005 – and a seven-piece collaboration with a cappella trio Grace Notes (entitled Witchnotes) was an occasional concern. By 2005, core members – including Griffith – had moved away from Newcastle upon Tyne and the group did a final tour in 2007. Witchnotes continued to make occasional festival appearances until 2008.