Paul Sartin, who has died aged 51 of a heart attack, was a classically trained musician who devoted his talents to English folk music, becoming a member of the multi-award winning folk band Bellowhead. His superb musicianship was also heard in the folk trio Faustus and in the duo Belshazzar’s Feast.
Formed in 2004, Bellowhead was conceived by folk duo Jon Boden and John Spiers while stuck in a traffic jam; they immediately phoned Paul to invite him to join the band. With its combination of high energy musicianship, a dynamic brass section and distinctive percussion, plus a diversity of musical influences, the 11-piece Bellowhead immediately became popular with folk audiences, but also crossed over to other musical genres and performed on Later... with Jools Holland.
