The music of The School of Trobar unites the distinct voices of two innovative and highly adept young acoustic artists - Phillip Henry and Tobias Ben Jacob.

Phillip Henry is a fingerstyle, bottleneck and lapslide guitar player who has left audiences across the country entranced, even captivating crowds of several hundred with only a harmonica and stomp box.

"Phillip Henry's dedication and originality has made him one of the most exciting newcomers to the British acoustic scene, he is probably one of the finest lap players to have recently emerged. Wonderful noises emanate from this humble northerner!" - Kevin Brown, renowned slide guitarist and songwriter.

Amongst the traditions Phil masterfully evokes are British folk, blues, bluegrass and Indian classical music; revealing to the listener careful study as well as dedicated practice. These influences form the roots of a highly individual compositional style, well developed musical aesthetic and when combined with a natural showmanship; hint at the trailblazing career that lies before him.

Tobias Ben Jacob is a minstrel of the shifting sands. He writes songs of love, songs on truth & beauty and on the deeper threads and mysteries of life. His songwriting style has developed from dedicated practise and from (at least) the following influences: devoted listening to numerous (mainly) British & American songwriters of the last 50 years; perhaps most notably Bob Dylan, English balladry (hearing 'The Famous Flower of Serving Men' sung by Martin Carthy was a definite turning point), the reading of fairy tales, parables, poets & mystics, English & Irish folk traditions, various elements of roots music & the music of other cultures like India, Fingerstyle guitar traditions & elements of minimalism & acoustic trance; areas here the innovative ideas & fine musicianship of Phillip Henry have been a big influence.

The live shows offer a rich tapestry of music & song; threads of folk, roots and indian music, songs of love, life & mystery are woven into & around the fresh & innovative acoustic trance sound that Phil & Tobias are working on.

The dynamic nature of the band means they are as at home playing to highly charged festival crowds in the height of summer as they are playing in candlelit bars & smokey backrooms.