Liz Hanks

CELLO

Liz Hanks is a cellist, composer and collaborator based in Sheffield. She has worked with an impressive array of high-profile artists across many different genres. In recent years Liz has performed, recorded and collaborated with, among others, Martin Simpson, Jasdeep Singh Degun, Liam Gallagher, Jason Singh, Thea Gilmore and Richard Hawley.

Liz is also in demand as a session musician and co-runs the Up North Session Orchestra and has recorded on a number of film soundtracks and for BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix. She recently released her debut solo album, with music inspired by her local history and the impact of urban development on wild spaces and biodiversity.

Liz is particularly drawn to folk, Indian classical, and minimalism. Improvisation is key to much of Liz's creative output and is something she has developed through her involvement with many music, theatre, dance and film projects. Liz has performed at the Yorkshire Silent Film Festival/Northern Silent Film Festival and subsequently Frame Ensemble since 2018. She has a family connection to the history of silent films as Stan Laurel was her great-grandfather's cousin.