Saxophonist Snake Davis has become the second patron of a West Cumbrian music venue.
Snake has supported The Gather, in Ennerdale, for a while and performed its first gig in 2020.
He now joins Baroness Hayman of Ullock as patron of the Ennerdale Promotions live music programme.
Peter Maher, co-founder of Ennerdale Promotions, said: “Snake has been a tremendous supporter of ours who has been tireless in helping us develop our music strategy at The Gather.
“When we turned to the Arts Council for support, it was Snake and his son Joe, who specified what equipment we would need to be effective. When we went into streaming mode, they helped us extend that equipment list to enable us to live stream our music. They then helped us source suppliers for the kit.
“Snake and Joe ran a three-day training weekend to teach our team how to use the equipment, culminating in our streaming of his regular Sunday stream, to his fan base. He called his lockdown #67 gig, – Zen Den out on the Road, The Gather Ennerdale.
“Snake especially composed Ennerdale Water for Shakuhachi and whistle which now plays as an introduction to each of our music streams.
“Snake introduced us to a bevy of talented and iconic musicians including Gareth Moulton, Chris Bannister, Paul Birchell, Mark Creswell, Simon Goulding, Jonny Thirkell, Sumudu, Stuart Collingwood, Helen Watson, Edd Poole, Ernie Wood, Robin A Smith, Flossie Malavialle.
“The question repeatedly posed is how do you get such great artists to perform in Ennerdale? And the answer is at least in part down to Snake Davis.”
Snake added: “I have deep connections and friendships in Cumbria going back many years and have performed there many times. I first played Upstairs@TheGather in March 2020 and fell in love with the venue, the Ennerdale valley and its people. What they have been doing to bring music and entertainment to this remote West Cumbrian community is nothing short of remarkable.
“When approached about being their patron I was delighted and am pleased to bring them any support and help I can give.”
Co-founder of Ennerdale Promotions, Emma Shepherd, added: “We are so delighted to have Snake as our patron; it was he who helped set us off on this road and he has been our guiding light and inspiration since.
“As a musician he has extraordinary talent and our audiences can’t get enough of him; over the last 12 months Snake, and his musician friends, have performed four times Upstairs@TheGather.
“His life as a musician has brought a deep understanding of the technologies used in performing and streaming live music and he has shared that with us to help us develop those skills.”
