Three Herts-based acts with a growing national profile will be appearing at the opening concert of the new season of Folk at the Maltings in St Albans.

Paul Scourfield, Said the Maiden and Project Jam Sandwich will be appearing from 8pm next Friday, October 3, at the Maltings Arts Theatre.

Melodeon player and singer Paul performs material mainly from the English tradition.

Inspired to take up the melodeon after going to see John Kirkpatrick at the local folk club, Paul has since spent a year being mentored by the man himself. He has appeared at major festivals including Sidmouth, Whitby, Warwick, and Towersey, as well as folk clubs around the country.

Said the Maiden, the St Albans-based vocal trio, are making waves on the folk scene.

All musicians from an early age, they were involved in shows and concerts together at school in the city. Their vocals bring new life to traditional songs with accompaniments on the accordion, ukulele, guitar, violin and flute.

In just one year they have found themselves playing dozens of gigs around the country, ranging from folk clubs and fundraisers to festivals, including Folk By The Oak, Folkeast and Bunkfest.

Completing the line-up are New Roots finalists Project Jam Sandwich, comprising five musicians who met whilst studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester,

They add their own individual stamp to folk music from all over the world. ranging from Bulgaria and South Africa to Scotland.

Tickets are £10 with concessions for students, children and unwaged people £8 and £6 for under 16s.

They can be bought on the door or in advance online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo, by phone on 0844 870 0887 or in person at St Albans Tourist and Information Centre, Town Hall on01727 864511.

Further information can be obtained from www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk or email info@stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk