Presenting the best in local acoustic talent in Colchester, giving a platform for excellent original songwriters to showcase their work. This will be available for free on the top Floor Of TWM.

East Creek Union

A popular old time American music quartet that draws on decades of experience together.

Bob Tracey & Pete Young first played together in the trio Crannog in Manchester in the late 70s and early 80s. Pete was the all england concertina Irish traditional music champion and Bob was the leader in the All England Senior Ceilidh band champions in the early 80s. Bob also was All England Senior slow airs champion.

In 2013 Bob and Scott Simmons joined together to play old time American music and were the joint winners in the Purbeck traditional Music festival new band competition.

ECU duo were then booked for the Tollpuddle Martyrs Festival (see YouTube) and the expanded with the addition of Pete Young (also
of Waxies Dargle) & superb Colchester based Lexy Scott whose gorgeous vocals added harmonies and richness to the mix.

ECU were recognised by the Friends of American Old Time Music and Dance (FOAOTMAD) to perform at their annual gathering in 2018.

Their music reflects the American old time fiddle and banjo music with songs, rich harmony and a delicate combination of fiddle, banjo, ukulele, guitar, lap steel guitar, bass and vocals.

A popular old time American music quartet that draws on decades of experience together.
Bob Tracey and Pete Young first played together in the trio Crannog in Manchester in the late 70s and early 80s. Pete was the all England concertina Irish traditional music champion and Bob was the leader in the All England Senior Ceilidh band champions in the early 80s. Bob also was All England Senior slow airs champion.

In 2013 Bob and Scott Simmons joined together to play old time American music and were the joint winners in the Purbeck traditional Music festival new band competition.

Thereafter they were named East Creek Union following a public poll at the Maverick Festival and continue with that name today.

ECU duo were then booked for the Tollpuddle Martyrs Festival (see YouTube) and the expanded with the addition of Pete Young (also of Waxies Dargle) and superb Colchester based Lexy Scott-Hornsby, whose ukulele and gorgeous vocals added harmonies and richness to the mix.

Prior to the pandemic, ECU have played many festivals from Red Rooster through to Broadstairs, local folk clubs and annual events such as beer festivals (amongst our favourites) and local events around Colchester and Tendring.

ECU were recognised by the Friends of American Old Time Music and Dance (FOAOTMAD) to perform at their annual gathering in 2018

Support on the night from A light Left on themselves. Upbeat & light-hearted original trio from Sunny Clacton on Sea showcased at the Montreux Jazz Cafe in London & featured on 6music by Tom Robinson. Received high praise for their writing from BBC Essex DJ Veena V; Tony Fisher & Sue Marchant from BBC Radio Cambridge. The Musician’s Union has described them as ‘melodic acoustic folk with striking lead guitar, subtle strings and blissful harmony. Recently they went international to play the prestigious Freight & Salvage venue in San Francisco, Nashville’s Concorde & Norway’s Glenghuset & even got the track ‘Bayonet’ played on the BBC world service. Their material has been used in several independent films & they currently have a new EP, ‘Cathedral of Shadows, ‘ out which has been featured on many high-profile Spotify playlists, including ‘Baked Sunset Vibes’.

Tickets – Free Entry

Doors 7pm
Over 18s only

Access – There is no lift to access the top floor of Three Wise Monkeys. There are five flights of hand-railed stairs to reach the top floor, with rest opportunities between each flight.