Sue Harris

Sue Harris

Sue Harris is an English musician and backing vocalist, best known for folk performances on the hammered dulcimer. She is classically trained as an oboist and is fluent in reading and writing music. In the mid-1970s she switches from the oboe to the dulcimer and becomes one of the leading performers on that folk instrument.

Early work and instrument change

Harris originally plays the oboe, but she moves to the hammered dulcimer when she is unable to maintain the breath control needed for the oboe. That change happens while she is married to John Kirkpatrick, the English melodeon player, and expecting their first son. She then establishes herself through dulcimer performance rather than through her earlier instrument.

Collaborations and performances

She performs on both oboe and dulcimer with the Albion Country Band on their debut album Battle of the Field in 1973. She also records and performs as one half of a duet with John Kirkpatrick. Harris works with Richard and Linda Thompson as well.

Other work

Alongside performance, Harris composes for BBC broadcast plays and for live theatre. She is also a singer and writes music for choral groups. In 2008 she leads the Wild Angels Community Choir in Welshpool, Powys, Wales.