Name	Anna Ryder
Height	5'5
Naionality	American
Date of Birth	29-Jan-1964
Place of Birth	America
Famous for

From a child, annA has performed and written songs but since 1990 she has been a firm favourite on the folk scene playing all kinds of venues from small clubs to large festivals such as The Phoenix, Sidmouth International, Cropredy and Guildford. Her 1st album ‘What’s Afoot’ was released in 1990 and her 1st CD ‘Eye To Eye’ in 1993 which consisted entirely of original songs. A track from this album ‘Sailing Boat’ was toured and covered by Fairport Convention in 1997.

In 1999 annA’s CD ‘Pockets On Fire’ was released on the Fairport label ‘Woodworm’ with Fairport Convention playing on 8 of the tracks. Since its release in February 1999, this album has received excellent reviews and has been described as ‘a confident and varied singer-songwriter album with depth and integrity’ with ‘songs that demonstrate a rare originality’ and ‘that demand your attention’ – MOJO mag March 1999.

The summers of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 saw annA at the 20,000 strong Cropredy Festival and continuing her relationship with Fairport, she supported them on their UK tour in early 1999 playing venues such as Birmingham Symphony Hall and Croydon Fairfield Halls.

She returned to the Symphony Hall to sing for the SwarbAid Concert. annA continues to join Fairport during acoustic tours and has played The London Festival Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall again with them on their 2002 tour playing 3 songs including her own ‘The Crowd’ with them. The Crowd was then recorded with her on Fairport Convention’s 2002 album XXXV. annA also features in a Fairport DVD and a 4 CD+book collection both celebrating 35 years of this legendary folk-rock band.

The autumn of 1999 brought a short solo tour of Germany followed by a return trip the next year. During 2001, the annA rydeR banD emerged with the typically unusual line-up of trombone, clarinet, bass clarinet, percussion and vocals together with her own array of instruments. Surprising and unique, gigs by the annA rydeR banD have been described as ‘starting on a high and just getting better’.

annA then brought her band to Germany in March 2002. annA returned to Europe with Keith Donnelly (writer Jasper Carrott, Phil Cool) to tour in Holland that year.

In the summer of 2000, Eddi Reader (ex-Fairground Attraction) joined annA for a gig in Banbury where they performed together in an informal and memorable evening. This was followed by a set together at Cropredy 2000.

Eddi and annA (on accordion) joined again at Cropredy 2002 as well as joining forces in Australia for an informal gig. annA has also toured as support to All About Eve in autumn 2000, spring 2001 and Jan 2002. annA and Julianne Regan (from All About Eve) also played a one-off special gig in August 2001 at Banbury as part of the lead-up to Cropredy Festival.

A live album ‘annA rydeR’s Tour With Fairport Convention ’99’ was released early 2002.

annA went solo to Australia in March 2002 to play Port Fairy Folk Festival near Melbourne. In 2002 the annA rydeR banD appeared with Jacqui McShee and Spencer Cozens during Cropredy lead-up. annA also played at Cropredy 2002 with the early line-up of Fairport featuring Richard Thompson. Supporting Dave Swarbrick and Simon Nicol during their UK tour followed on in 2003.

Following her appearance with Jacqui McShee in the summer of 2002, annA then toured in Germany during the summer of 2003 with Jacqui’s band performing both her own and Jacqui’s songs. annA then returned to Europe in the autumn to play solo gigs in Vienna.

Following a successful UK tour in 2002 as ‘The Fairport Supporters’, annA recorded sessions on both Steve Tilston’s and Bob Fox’s new albums.

annA appeared again at Cropredy in 2003. During 2003 annA toured as part of The Steve Tilston Band playing keyboard, accordion, French and trumpet as well as singing.

annA’s biggest project during 2003 was the recording of her new album ‘Paper Girl’ which was released on her own label RowdyMusic in January 2004. Paper Girl is 14 of her songs featuring John Rabbit Bundrick (keyboard player The Who), Clive Bunker (drums ex-Jethro Tull), Maartin Allcock (bass ex-Jethro Tull+ex-Fairport) as well as Dave Pegg, Gerry Conway and Simon Nicol (Fairport).

As well as working as a freelance musician collaborating with dancers from Birmingham Royal Ballet and contemporary dancers, annA is also a leading and much sought-after artist in education. From 2005 to 2008 annA has continued as a much-sought-after artist in education as well as performing at various venues in UK and recording on other people’s albums During 2006 annA led music workshops in Barcelona for students of the Conservatoire interested in education. annA has also been developing the building of outdoor instruments and indoor environments focusing on sound in recent years.

In 2007 Didmarton Bluegrass Festival invited annA to play which followed with a 2nd booking on main stage in 2008. She also spent many hours with other musicians jamming through the night! Other recent work includes playing keys, accordion and trumpet as co-member of The Julie Felix Band with PJ Wright. As well as this annA continues to write songs and perform across UK alongside her research/education work.

annA’s quirky, personal yet touching material and her wicked outlook on life together with her accomplished instrumental playing (guitar, piano, accordion, brass) ensures she remains an interesting and original musician, writer, jammer and singer.