Gold Ring Duo

About

Ben Walker & Chris Knowles are the ' Gold Ring Duo', an act specialising in instrumental Celtic music.
They are both highly proficient and experienced multi-instrumentalists: in this duo Ben plays uilleann pipes, flutes, and whistle, and Chris plays Celtic harp and bouzouki.
Their performance consists of their own arrangements of traditional music mainly from Ireland, but also some from Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man, Brittany and Cornwall, ranging from slow airs, jigs, hornpipes etc. to fast exciting reels. They also play compositions by 17thC. Irish harper Carolan, and pieces from other early Celtic music sources.
Their repertoire is varied, and their music is both hauntingly beautiful and exhilarating.

CHRIS has worked as a freelance professional musician for 31 years, playing a variety of instruments, but in particular the Celtic harp and bouzouki. He has performed at many Folk festivals & Arts festivals all over the UK, and on several TV & radio programmes. He has also played many public events for the Welsh government organisation CADW at various castles and historic sites throughout Wales, and was their official harpist at Caernarfon castle for 9 years.
He has recorded 22 albums as a principal artist, including 6 with Ben and one solo CD.

BEN has a background in jazz (piano, saxophones, flutes) but took up the uilleann pipes in the 90's and decided to specialize in Irish music on pipes, flute, whistle & low whistle. Since then he has become highly skilled in the genre on all those instruments. He is also a singer-songwriter and professional music teacher.

As well as public performances, they play for many private events such as weddings, corporate events etc.
They have recorded several albums together as a duo, the most recent being 'The Coming of Spring’ (2016)