Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth

This virtuosic duo formed as the result of a chance meeting at a folk session in 2018, and led to Will and Jenn’s music travelling around the world as a viral internet sensation.

In their live shows, they play a game of ‘musical cat and mouse’; improvising and responding to each other, weaving virtuosic performances that are unique and in-the-moment as only two musicians highly accomplished in their craft can produce.

Their debut album, recorded live in Glasgow in 2023, has received great praise:

“Harmonica and melodeon ace Will Pound and guitarist Jenn Butterworth – well known for her work with the Kinnaris Quintet and much else – transfer their celebrated live duo to the studio and their opening blues-inflected reel set would raise the dead and make them dance, as harmonica squalls joyously alongside the intense skitter and slap of guitar. They ease back for two Irish jigs – well-known, well-worn but treated with gently rollicking affection, before Pound switches to diatonic melodeon for a couple of limber, self-composed bourrées. There’s a solitary song from Butterworth – Better Things, a vintage but sprightly anti-nuke protest by Peggy Seeger – followed by the Queen of Sheba, ushered in with reedy gusto. A thoughtfully poignant rendering of the retreat march Battle of the Somme precedes a return to the frenetic in the Beggarman set – not so much musical dialogue as mutual hot pursuit.” - Jim Gilchrist, ***** The Scotsman

“We adore live performance, and have been carefully crafting a live set that takes the listener on an emotional journey. Recently, an audience member remarked on the joy that we brought to them during our show, and that we need to find as much joy we can in the world these days. This really stuck with me as it’s very much part of our ethos. Although we have a plan for our concert sets, a lot of our work is improvised, we’re flexible and enjoy responding to what we throw at each other in the moment. This is exhilarating for the audience and a huge amount of fun for both of us.” - Jenn Butterworth

Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth is part of the Traverse's £1 Ticket Project.

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council.

If you have access requirements, please contact our Sales and Welcome Team on boxoffice@traverse.co.uk or 0131 228 1404 so we can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else we can best support your visit.