THE BEAR BAND was formed by Huw Jones and John Howes, and included John Jeater on mandolin, Chinch Gryniewicz on guitar and Lynne Gent as caller. The Band quickly gained popularity and has remained a firm favourite with Ceilidh goers across South Wales. In the early years they regularly played a number of Ceilidhs under the name of Ursa Major when they were joined by Kate Hannon on fiddle, Paul Hannon on keyboard and saxophone and Laurence Fry on flute.

Chinch was only to be with the Band for a short while and later, when John Jeater left, was replaced by Ian Stevenson on mandolin. Ian had previously played for many years with the Irish band, Quilty. About this time Paul Fjaelberg joined the Band on drums. After a number of years Lynne Gent left the Band and Jon Mills became caller.

The Band suffered a set back when Ian left to live in France and a number of musicians guested for a while until a permanent replacement could be found. John took up the bouzouki and joined Huw as a lead musician. Dick Ellis came in on guitar with Lyndon Whife replacing Paul on drums. During this period the band worked with a number of callers until a replacement was found in Tim Cook. He became a firm favourite with the dancers until his sad and untimely death in 2004. In 2006 after a short rest, the Band reformed with
Steve Passmore on bass, Lyndon Whife on drums and
Nigel Haworth as their Caller.

Great Music    -   Great Dancing    -   Great Songs    -   Great Time for all Ages