Nigel Eaton
Nigel Eaton is an English hurdy-gurdy player. He originally played the piano and cello but switched to the hurdy-gurdy in 1981 when his father, Christopher Eaton, began making them. He was a member of Whirling Pope Joan with Julie Murphy, Blowzabella, Ancient Beatbox, The Duellists and Firestarters of Leiden. He has released two solo albums, The Music of the Hurdy-Gurdy and Pandemonium, and has been featured on recordings by other artists including Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Scott Walker, Shelleyan Orphan, Heidi Berry, Gary Kemp, Carl Davis, Blue Aeroplanes, Martin Simpson, The Palladian Ensemble, Moya Brennan, Robert Plant,, Afro Celt Sound System's "Release", and many works by Loreena McKennitt. Eaton had a Hurdy Gurdy concerto written for him by Howard Skempton, which he performed with Evelyn Glennie, and has performed with The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and The Bournemouth Sinfonietta. Eaton's film work as a session musician has included Robin Hood, The Shipping News, Kingdom of Heaven, Aliens, Mansfield Park, and Tulip Fever.
As of 1999, in addition to his film work and background acting work, Eaton has been a maker of built-in furniture in South London.
Nigel's tune "The Halsway Carol" and "Halsway Schottische" have attracted many cover versions on YouTube.Discography
