Nigel Eaton

Nigel Eaton is an English hurdy gurdy player. He originally played the piano and cello but switched to the hurdy gurdy in 1981 when his father, Christopher Eaton, began making them. He performed as part of the dance band Blowzabella from 1985 and recorded five albums with them before their split in 1990. He was one half of Whirling Pope Joan with Julie Murphy. He was part of a trio called The Duellists with Cliff Stapleton and Chris Walshaw. He released an album with the melodeon player Andy Cutting, Panic at the Cafe (1993). He has released two solo albums - The Music of the Hurdy Gurdy (1987) and Pandemonium (2002) and has been featured on other recordings by artists including Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and Loreena McKennitt. Blowzabella reformed in 1995 and Eaton performed with them until November 2004. He was replaced by Gregory Jolivet. Eaton's film work has included Robin Hood, The Shipping News, Kingdom of Heaven, Aliens and Mansfield Park. Nigel Eaton is now a built-in furniture maker in South London.