MAVERICK barefoot musician, composer and world class guitar virtuoso Richard Durrant is set for another wintry Christmas tour of UK venues over the coming weeks.

This tour will see Durrant performing with guest singer Amy Kakoura and top British folk fiddler Nick Pynn.

The music comes from folk, pagan and Christian traditions which, with Richard’s own distinctive approach to the guitar, places these annual wintry happenings a long way from the more commercial aspects of Christmas.

Durrant’s idiosyncratic approach to a Christmas concert has earned him fans across the country, and has ensured that his shows are a regular fixture on the festive calender for many.

From the oldest song in the Oxford Book of Carols to Fairytale of New York on ukulele, this is a show packed full of surprises and midwinter charm.

Born in Brighton, Richard Durrant entered the Royal College of Music aged 18 having already begun exploring classical, folk and contemporary music.

Richard Durrant has performed as a guest soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the Royal Albert Hall and played in the depths of South America as well as tiny village halls in England.

Recent tours saw him play the Wilderness Stage at Wilderness Festival, as well as at concerts in Spain, France and Paraguay.

In 2015 Richard recorded his latest collection of songs, ‘The Girl at the Airport (for guitar and strings)’ with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

He is known for often touring during the spring and summer on a bicycle, with all of his touring equipment in panniers and on a trailer.

This unusual approach comes as part of a rigorous touring schedule, which sees Durrant cover an average 35,000 miles annually, playing across the globe.

For the last two years Richard cycled over 3,000 miles playing 50 Cycling Music concerts around England and Scotland. In 2015 he cycled and gigged from Sussex to the Isle of Skye.

Durrant will play Hunter Hall School in Penrith tomorrow (December 9).