Monty's Maggot play traditional English music for English Ceilidhs, English Country Dances, Barn Dances and Concerts. We also play in decent pubs for fun and beer.
Our cracking-good tunes are played with infectious rhythm, gusto and energy; and if we play a tune that isn't English then it's probably one that should be!
Apart from festivals, we mostly play around Devon, Oxfordshire, and the South and West of England.
If you want to book a band that plays really danceable, toetapping music, then call Jeremy on 07717461972 or email jeremy@tozerofdevon.net
Some people ask why we're called Monty's Maggot. Maggot is old English meaning an eccentric or fanciful idea or whim; and the band was an idea hatched during a series of fiddle workshops that Flos and Jerry were running out of the wonderful White Horse pub in Moretonhampstead.
Monty is Jerry's Jack Russell who likes to sing while Jerry practises. Monty likes singing in E minor and has taught Jerry's other dog Sasha to sing as well.
Flos Headford has played fiddle in the Old Swan Band for nearly thirty years, was a founder member of the Mellstock Band and now plays with Monty’s Maggot as well.He’s one of the great exponents of traditional English music, with musical roots going back to his time with Gloucester Old Spot Morris.He lives in both Shropshire and his native Gloucestershire but not at the same time!
Jeremy Tozer had the initial idea to start the band.Jerry is a native of Devon known locally for his love of English dance tunes. Jerry plays melodeon and also dances with Great Western Morris in Exeter.He is temporarily living in the North East (in Oxfordshire which is NE of Exeter!) while he plans how to finance his long desired cider orchard and press.He organizes instrumental workshops and helps with Oxfolk Ceilidhs in the winter, and assists with folk festival organization in the summer.
Carl Allerfeldt plays fiddle and having played mostly Celtic tuneswith Jiggerypipery for many years, was ‘introduced’ to English music by Jerry at a session in Chagford near Carl's farm.Since then, Carl and Jerry have played regularly together around Devon.Having a Swedish parent, Carl brings a Scandinavian influence to some of the tunes.
Neil Gledhill plays bass saxophone and Jerry first met him at an Old Swan Band ceilidh in Exeter years ago (Neil has played with them for 20 years now).Neil lives in Manchester, but Jerry successfully conned Neil into playing with the band. He is now a regular visitor to the South and knows the M5 and M40 quite well.
