ONE of folk music’s most respected multi-instrumentalists will take the stage at Otley Courthouse next month.

Reading-born Luke Daniels has made his name over the past two decades both as a frontman, on a remarkable series of albums under his own name, and as an in-demand melodeon player.

He has played for the likes of Ian Anderson, De Dannan and Riverdance and been a regular in Cara Dillon’s band.

Daniels was also a soloist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra on the Howard Shore soundtracks for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

His new album, What’s Here What’s Gone, is the sound of a folk musician fearlessly converting from melodeon virtuoso to accomplished singer-songwriter – a transition which has seen him establish a distinctive place in the world of contemporary acoustic folk music.

His Courthouse show with the Luke Daniels Trio takes place on Saturday, March 7, and will see the melodeon duties picked up by Julian Sutton – a long-time member of The Kathryn Tickell Band who recently toured with Sting.

Tickets for the 8pm performance cost £12 or £10 in advance, or £13 or £11 on the door.

The following weekend will see UNFURL bring their continent-crossing, eclectic blend of improvised music to the venue.

Band leader and inspiration Olivia Moore is driven by her dedication to jazz and Indian classical violin, though she also draws inspiration from flamenco, gypsy and folk music.

She is joined by Jim Faulkner on electric guitar, Gavin Barras on double bass, John Ball on tabla and Indian Santoor and Adam Warne on Egyptian percussion.

The show takes place from 8pm on Saturday, March 14, with tickets priced at £10 or £8 in advance, or £11 or £9 on the door.

The date is part of Northern Line Jazz, programme aimed at supporting jazz artists.

Blueflint, who play the Courthouse on Saturday, March 29, have been garnering acclaim for their distinctive sound – with the close harmonies of Deborah Arnott and Clare Neilson supported by a five-piece line up intertwining banjos, fiddle, piano, electric guitar, double-bass and drums.

Their 8pm show is part of a tour celebrating the alt folk band’s release of their third album, and costs £10 or £8 in advance or £11 or £9 on the night.

For tickets and details about all of these and other forthcoming events, please visit otleycourthouse.org.uk, call (01943) 467466 or visit the Courthouse, on Courthouse Street.