Danny Spooner
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Danny Spooner was born in the East End of London near the Thames River, and as a WW2 boy, learned the traditional songs of England Scotland and Ireland from family and friends. At 13 he went to work on a sailing barge, and then got his apprenticeship as a Waterman and Lighterman (able to navigate boats and ships on the Thames) and a tugboat master.April 1962 he stepped ashore at Circular Quay, having worked his way to Australia on the Canberra. To his astonishment, at Jim Carter’s Troubadour Folk Club in Rushcutters Bay, he found people singing those trad songs to an audience!! He soon fell in love with the Australian tradition of songs and tunes.
For years he taught at tertiary and secondary levels, and since retiring 11 years ago, has toured each winter either Europe or North America. He was immensely honoured to find himself invited to work with Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. It was an opportunity to bring to classical audiences traditional songs and some beautifully crafted contemporary folk songs – a national tour in 2007 and the Festival of Maribor with the Slovenian Philharmonic and members of the ACO 2009. He stills enjoys learning and researching the music of working people of both Britain and Australia, and has a lively interest in the American tradition. In 2011 he celebrated his 75th birthday and marked 50 years as part of the folk scene in Australia. He says “I still enjoy every minute of it”. |
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