House

An "All-Star Band" of Newfoundland Musicians

Anita Best - Baxter Wareham - Pamela Morgan - Sandy Morris - Kelly Russell - Derek Pelley

Assembled for the 1997 Cabot 500 Celebrations, Bristol's Hope was awarded a Year of the Arts Grant to produce a Recording to be released on CD & Cassette early in 1997. The Group will perform in Bonavista for the Arrival of The Matthew on June 24 in addition to numerous other Special Events and Festivals during 1997.

Members of Bristol's Hope :

Anita Best (Vocal)

Steeped in Newfoundland outport singing traditions, Anita has long been
a respected folksong collector and performer...... in fact she was briefly the lead singer
of Figgy Duff before Pamela Morgan! Her many years performing in the duo of Pamela
Morgan & Anita Best has resulted in an exquisite album, The Color of Amber. Recently
the host of her own CBC Radio Series, A Little Ball of Yarns, Anita has become a
much loved and prominent voice in the field of Newfoundland Folk Tradition & Culture.

Baxter Wareham (Vocal, Button Accordion)

From Harbour Buffett, in Placentia Bay, Baxter grew up hearing the songs and
dance music of his outport home. With groups such as The Wareham Brothers and
The Breakwater Boys he has brought his wealth of traditional songs, recitations
and accordion tunes to audiences all across Canada and to the USA & England as well. He
has recorded 3 albums, one featuring the famous song "Rubber Boots"

Pamela Morgan (Vocal, Guitar)

Co-founder and lead singer of Figgy Duff (1975-1992), a group which
pioneered the revival of traditional Newfoundland music performed with contemporary
arrangements, recorded 4 albums and toured extensively both nationally
and internationally during their 18 year career. Pamela has since embarked
on a solo career with a new album On a Wing & a Prayer. Her interest in traditional
Newfoundland songs remains strong through continued performances with Anita Best.

Kelly Russell (Fiddle, Bouzouki, Concertina, Bodhran)

A former and original member of such pioneering Newfoundland groups as

Figgy Duff, The Wonderful Grand Band and The Plankerdown Band, Kelly

has also worked extensively performing with and learning from the late fiddlers

Rufus Guinchard.& Emile Benoit. Founder, owner and operator of Pigeon Inlet

Productions, one of Newfoundlands foremost independent labels which has

released 30 albums of local folk material over the past 16 years.

Sandy Morris (Guitar)

A mainstay of the Newfoundland music Scene for 30 Years, Sandy is considered
to be one of our best and most versatile guitarists. A former member of legendary group
The Wonderful Grand Band and musical composer and arranger for comedy troupe
CODCO for many years, Sandy now runs his own recording studio. The Nickel Soundworks,
in St. John’s.

Derek Pelley (Electric Bass)

Derek's performing roots go back to quite a number of St. John's rock bands of the
60's & 70's Instrumental in the in the folk music revival of the mid 70's a founding member
of Figgy Duff, Derek has also toured and recorded with Red Island and Rawlin’s Cross.
Derek recorded a solo album at Dave Pegg's Woodworm Studio in England.