ABOUT | St Ives String Band

About.

Hailing from Cornwall, St Ives String Band is a string quartet who play upbeat Bluegrass music. Our band features a harmonious mix of vocals and skillful instrumentation, including the banjo, guitar, mandolin, and double bass, each played with an authenticity that speaks to the heart of bluegrass. From lively foot-stomping tunes to soulful ballads, we aim to connect with audiences through the timeless beauty of acoustic roots music.

As a band we are very versatile where we play. We have played at a variety of events and venues such as, The Acorn Theatre Penzance supporting Du Glas, many pubs around Cornwall, festivals like St Ives September festival, rugby clubs, campsites and even in someones kitchen for a birthday party. Whatever your event is or where it may be, we always love playing and will accommodate to your needs.

Our Band.

Meet our band members.

All from different musical backgrounds together we have formed a bluegrass band combining our musical talents. As a close knitted band through friendship and relations we strive to work together to provide entertainment for our audiences.

Martin Sadler

Martin is our lead vocalist and banjoist.

Martin started playing guitar at the age of 12 and saved up for his first banjo. He was inspired by the English Grand Ole Opry when they were in Newmarket, specifically by the likes of Bill Monroe and Pete Sayers band the Radio Cowboys.

At the age of 18 years old Martin started playing in a rock band then left the music scene till his mid 20's, then joined an R 'n' B band as well as playing in over bands of different styles throughout the years.

Martin moved from Newmarket to St Ives where he noticed the music scene being more folk orientated so the banjo reared its head.

He started busking on the streets with his family where they became a band. Since then he formed the band of St Ives String band still interegating family and friends.

Jack Sadler

Jack is our guitarist, harmonist and occasional lead in vocals.

Jack first started around 5 years old playing piano and kept on playing until the age of 16 when he discovered the joy of being a multi-instrumentalist and began producing. He then went on to do music in college for 5 years before doing a further 3 more years in university qualifying him for a Higher National Diploma (HND). Jack went through vocal lessons too!

Jack played in various bands from Reggae to Pop Punk to Drum and Bass. Having also written a substantial amount of original music too, with music being played on BBC Radio Cornwall.

As time went by he got better at all his instruments and developed a more mature taste and ability to create and imagine up all sorts of genres and styles.

Jack's high energy and stage antics have always been brilliantly entertaining and keep the crowd exciting and asking for more.

Early on Jack busked with his dad Martin on the streets of St Ives, eventually introduing his partner Katie to the likes of busking forming a 3 piece band before Tom joined.

Katie Sadler

Katie is our mandolinist and second harmonist and occasional lead in vocals.

Katie started music from the age of 7 years old where she was a member of Camelford Brass Band for a few years where she played the cornet and trombone.

At the age of 12 years old she started taking piano/keyboard lessons in secondary school, as well as studying GCSE music.

When Katie met Jack in 2022, she started learning guitar through lessons with Jack, since then she has learnt to play mandolin and been writing her own music.

Katie joined Martin and Jack on the streets busking where they decided to form a 3 piece band playing gigs before Tom joined making the band a quartet.

Tom Dauncey

Tom is our double bassist and third harmonist and occasional lead in vocals.

Tom found his love for double bass in his late teens and went on to study jazz and world music, graduating with a first class honours in 2012.

He has played in a wide variety of groups and settings and has a particular interest in middle eastern music.

Tom joined the St Ives String band in September 2024 as the double bassist.