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Treacherous Orchestra
|J.P Cormier & The Elliot Brothers|
KAN|
Alison Brown Acoustic Quartet with John Doyle and Casey Driessen
|Lori Watson & Rule Of Three|
|Sprag Session|
Manran|
The Hot Seats|
Rory Ellis with Perry Stenback and Steffan Sorensen|
Kasai Masai
|
Ross Couper & Tom Oakes
|Baltic Crossing|
K. V Express|
Allans Magic
Emerging from the vibrant melting-pot of Glasgow’s 21st-century folk scene, Treacherous Orchestra have taken Scottish dance music into a totally and thrilling new dimension. Having grown up under the influence of pioneering fusion acts such as Shooglenifty, Martyn Bennett, Peatbog Faeries and Salsa Celtica, this 12-piece act draw simultaneously on deep traditional roots and contemporary influences. Using their collective force, Treacherous Orchestra fuse people, concerts, styles and influences into a musical “Supergroup” that now find themselves in massive demand at Festivals up and down the country and further afield.
The band play their music with ferocity, verve and passion and as avid folk festival fans will recognise, they are made up of seasoned musicians who are already treading notable paths and reaching international recognition as arrangers, composers and performers with other outfits or in their own right. They include two of today’s most profiled and fiercest young pipers, Ali Hutton and Ross Ainslie (both influenced by the late Gordon Duncan); accordion player John Sommerville, drummer Fraser Stone and bassist Duncan Lyall (all three who appeared at the Festival with Box Club in 2009); fiddler Adam Sutherland (Peatbogs/Session A9); Barry Spad Reid on guitar; Éamonn Coyne on banjo (also no stranger to Shetland!); Kevin O’Neill on flute; Martin O’Neill on Bodhrán (who appeared in Shetland several times prior to joining the Stevie Wonder band in 2010!); Steve Byrnes on guitar and Innes Watson on fiddle/guitar. Innes was hailed “Instrumentalist of the Year” at the 2011 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
Together their repertoire consists almost entirely of original tunes. They combine ferocious energy and sophisticated musical arrangements with explosive results that has earned them a fearsome reputation as an incendiary live act. They will perform in Shetland for one night only on Friday 4th May at the Clickimin (the only stage big enough!) - a one off gig that is surely not to be missed……
Hailing from Cape Breton J.P. Cormier is a first class bluegrass/Folk/Celtic singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sideman, innovator, recording artist and multi award winner. This amazing individual has been bringing his dazzling compositions and finger work to many theatres and festivals across North America and overseas for the past 25 years. This includes two former appearances at the Shetland Folk Festival (in 1997 and 2004) and we are delighted to welcome him back once more, this time accompanied by the fantastic Elliot Brothers.
J.P began playing guitar, self taught, at the age of 5 and quickly become immersed in the rich musical heritage of his Cape Breton roots. He moved to the U.S for 10 years and performed many memorable nights at the Grand Ole Opry with such notable artists as Waylon Jennings, Marty Stuart, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Charlier Louvin and Vince Gill. Since his return to Canada over a decade ago, Cormier has released eleven award-winning recordings. His impressive body of work has earned him a vast and loyal fan base and multiple award nominations and wins, including 12 East Coast Music Awards, Canadian Folk Music Award, 5 Music Nova Scotia Awards, Juno nominations as well as commendations from the Governor General of Canada and Premier of Nova Scotia. Fans of the writing traditions of Stan Rogers and Gordon Lightfoot tend to equate the name J.P. Cormier with "songwriter", even before multi-instrumentalist. As a performer, J.P. is known for his flawless delivery of original 'story songs', most often basing his lyrics on true events.
Joining JP on this trip across the Atlantic are the Elliot brothers who are 40-year veterans of the Canadian music scene and two of the finest sidemen to ever take the stage. JP Cormier has always surrounded himself with top-shelf musicians and in performing with these brothers since 2009, has taken his music to a new and exciting level. The Elliots have been travelling and playing East Coast Swing music since before they could shave and have been on the leading edge of the Atlantic Canadian bluegrass scene playing with their father, the legendary Carl Elliot. With Mike on bass and Bill on guitars, both are also multi-provincial fiddle champions. Between them they also play guitar, bass, mandolin, five-string banjo and piano and are an engaging cornucopia of hot club talent. As musical brothers to JP Cormier and his renowned skills for all things stringed, this partnership is simply electrifying and magical – as witnessed by Shetland Folk Festival organisers at Celtic Colours in 2011. They have just recorded their first album with a release date set for early summer 2012. Welcome back JP!
Featuring the front men of two of the most revered bands ever to have thrilled the UK Folk Scene, KAN sees Brian Finnegan of Flook and Aidan O’Rourke from Lau join forces with Ian Stephenson on guitar and Jim Goodwin on drums. Together, this four piece create an enthralling and exciting new band that are already creating a supersonic buzz in the folk scene – before their first record has even been released (due at the end of January 2012!)
Brian and Aidan are an irresistible partnership, both men with a style that is fiercely unique; Brian’s grounded in the Irish tradition, Aidan’s in both the Irish and Scottish, both highly accomplished improvisers and celebrated composers. Indeed, Aidan picked up the Composer of the Year title at the MG Alba Scots Trad Awards in December 2011. Yorkshire guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Ian Stephenson, who has worked alongside the likes of Kathryn Tickell and Chris Stout, and is also a member of Baltic Crossing, is at the forefront of the new wave of rhythm accompanists. With his willingness to experiment and hone his own particular bass/funk style teamed up with rhythm master Jim Goodwin (drummer and percussionist with the Halle and Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra) KAN has forged a formidable rhythm department, full of drive and imagination.
“Terrifically tight… intensely lyrical… heavyweight rhythmic attack” (The Scotsman), this four piece have a largely intuitive ability to journey into the heart and soul of a melody, to take it somewhere fresh and new… however old… and to take the listener with them".
Alison Brown has achieved success in many areas: a Harvard graduate, record label co-founder and owner (of Compass Records Group), mother, and, the role that most people know her in: banjo virtuoso. As an internationally recognised musician with a wide-reaching and loyal fan base, Brown first came to national prominence when she was asked by Alison Krauss to join her band Union Station in 1989, whom she toured extensively with for 3 years. However, Brown had already made a name for herself prior to that by performing extensively with fiddler Stuart Duncan, and on occasional pick-up sessions with artists such as Vince Gill, Byron Berline and John Hickman. In 1991 she picked up the International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year - bluegrass music’s highest accolade for an instrumentalist.
Alison has recorded 7 critically acclaimed solo albums to date and has toured with her Quartet throughout the US and abroad. Her albums include the Grammy-nominated ‘Simple Pleasures’ and ‘Replay’, which features the Grammy-winning track “Leaving Cottondale”. This is her fourth appearance to the Shetland Folk Festival (1994/2001/2005). She will be joined by three fantastic musicians. Garry West on bass. John Doyle on guitar and Casey Driessen on fiddle.
As well as being a busy producer and co-owner of Compass Records, Garry has toured with country artistes such as Patty Loveless and Mark Collie as well as rhythm and blues legend Delbert McClinton and folk/pop songstress Michelle Shocked.
The Festival is also delighted to welcome back John Doyle, who is one of the most influential and important musicians in Irish music today. He was a founding member of Irish American supergroup Solas in the 1990s and recently served as band leader for the Joan Baez band. As a guitarist, he is unparalleled for his harmonic and rhythmic genius but in recent years, Doyle has also emerged as an important singer of Irish music.
Completing the lineup is Casey Driessen, who like his music is inspired, unconventional and truly original. He has built a following as both a solo artist and collaborator, touring the world with artistes such as Béla Fleck (& the Flecktones), Steve Earle, Darrell Scott and Tim O'Brien. He is also a founding member of The Sparrow Quartet and never without a pair of red shoes
Formed in October 2004, Rule of Three is an exciting band celebrating the best of the Scottish tradition combined with their own contemporary sounds. With this trio, Borders singer and fiddler Lori Watson is joined by Innes Watson from Birgham in the Borders on guitars/harmony vocals and accordionist John Somerville from Abriachan, Inverness-shire. Their collaboration of Lowland and Highland styles along with varied European and popular influences result in a sound brimming with personality whilst retaining the traditional melodies and themes that are absolutely central to their music.
Lori's musical roots lie firmly in the Borders of Scotland while her understanding and interpretation of Scots and worldwide traditions are undeniably resonant. With an accolade of awards and nominations including BBC Radio Scotland Young Trad Finalist, Danny Award Winners 2005, Burnsong Winner 2007, Eiserner Eversteiner Nominees 2007 and Celtic Colours Song House writer 2008, Lori Watson and Rule of Three deliver a sparkling mix of traditional and original tunes and songs with stunning, inventive musicianship. Having already toured extensively throughout the UK, Scandinavia, Spain, Austria, Germany and Nova Scotia, we are delighted to welcome them for their debut Shetland appearance.
Lingering somewhere amidst the rich, soulful roots of traditional Cape Breton music and the grooves of a thousand branches of rock and funk, SPRAG SESSION combines a dynamic and thoughtful mingling of beats and melodies from an extensive host of musical influences. Sprag Session (formerly known as the Colin Grant Band) has created a particular kind of Celtic fusion that is as much Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and Frank Zappa as it is Ashley MacIsaac. 'Sprag’ is a Shakesperean word for “quick and lively” and is also the name of an autopart which aids smooth transition in changing gears. The name was chosen as it reflects both the artisitic and musical aspects of the band’s sound, paired with the word ‘session’ to give contemporary and traditional references.
Showcasing 5 fantastic young musicians including fiddler Colin Grant, the group produces a lively sound that never strays too distantly from its Cape Breton roots but yet has found an open ear in everyone from Indie scenesters to blue-haired bingo stampers! With Jason Roach on piano, Darren MacMullen on mandolin, guitar, banjo and bouzouki, Donnie Calabrese on Bass and Merlin Clarke on drums/percussion, this funky band are set to be one of Nova Scotia’s biggest musical exports. Showcased as part of Celtic Connections in January 2011, they ripped the Glasgow stages apart and have been on the Shetland Folk Festival wish list ever since!
As a solo artiste, 2010 brought the release of Colin Grant’s album ‘Fun For The Whole Family’, which won Music Nova Scotia’s Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year as well as being nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Spring 2012 will see the release of Sprag Session’s debut album – hopefully just in time for Shetland Folk Festival fans.
Formed in June 2010 by six already established young instrumental and vocal luminaries, Mànran have quite literally rocketed to the top of the Scottish music scene with their powerful Folk-rock and first-class technical prowess. Combining Gaelic and English songs (both traditional and original) with funk and reggae grooves and distinctive arrangements, they underpin and layer the richness of their sound with twinning Scottish and Irish bagpipes, driving accordion, fiddle, flute and a backline of drum and bass.
Their first full on ‘debut’ year in 2011 has seen them perform at venues and Festivals throughout Europe and Scotland, the release of their first Gaelic single ‘Latha Math’ which finished: No 1 in the UK singer/songwriter charts, No 6 in the Scottish download charts and No 6 on Radio 1 Indie charts, television and radio appearances on BBC Reporting Scotland, 5 Live, Real Radio, and The Hour Show on STV and the release of their debut self entitled album that picked up the coveted ‘Album of the Year’ title at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in December.
Their lead singer, Norrie MacIver (who has previously appeared at the Festival with Bodega) won ‘Gaelic Singer of the Year’ at the same awards whilst fiddler/piper Ewen Henderson jointly won 2 additional awards with other outfits. Joining Norrie and Ewen are Calum Stewart on wooden flute, Ross Saunders on bass, Scott Mackay on drums and last but by no means least is Gary Innes on accordion. Also a Scottish Shinty celebrity, Gary’s energy and enthusiasm levels will be remembered by the many Box Club fans that Shetland acquired after the 2009 Festival!
Based in Richmond, Virginia, The Hot Seats are a ‘bubbling fountain of virtuosic insanity’. Their original music demonstrates a massive flexibility within the band as they move seamlessly between bluegrass, ragtime, oldtime, jugband, and Klezmer, injecting humor and sharp-witted commentary along the way. This is clearly demonstrated in the album, Retreat To Camp Candy Temptation Island, the band’s first release under their new name.
In 2008, when formerly known as Special Ed & The Shortbus, they tore the Edinburgh Fringe apart and won a coveted Herald Angel, the equivalent of an Oscar, for their outstanding contribution to the event. The Herald described them as “sensational” whilst fellow Edinburgh Fringe favourites (and stablemates) The Wilders, refer to them as “crazy bluegrass scientists”. This five-piece band features Ben Belcher on upright bass, Graham Dezarn on fiddle, Ed Brogan on guitar, Jake Sellers on bass and Josh Bearman on mandolin and banjo. With a trap set, many kazoos and a whole host of other toys also contributing to their irresistible sound, The Hot Seats are a guaranteed hit with Shetland audiences.
Following his massively successful appearance at the 2008 Shetland Folk Festival, we are delighted to welcome back the Australian Alt Country/Blues singer songwriter, Rory Ellis and his distinctive deep, lusty and rumbling voice. We are even more thrilled that he will joined by two Scandinavian musicians whom he met during his debut visit – helping us highlight how the Shetland Folk Festival is responsible for forging many new musical (and occasionally more intimate) partnerships!
Rory Ellis has performed at major festivals across Australia for many years as well as performing all over the UK, supporting greats like Richie Havens and Eric Bibb along the way. In 2010, Rory completed his 5th Studio album - “Perfectly Damaged” - as well as performing at one of the worlds largest Country Music Festivals, Tamworth, to rave reviews from audiences and venues alike. However, he is an artiste that is impossible to pigeonhole - with the blues man in him, soul belter, red-dirt country as well as being a home grown folkie.
Joining him is Swedish born multi-instrumentalist Perry Stenbäck, who has performed with most of the major names in the Danish music industry as well as picking up several Grammy nominations and awards – including best instrumentalist in 2009. No stranger to Shetland, Rory will also be joined by Steffan Sørensen on double bass, who has been to the Festival so many times now he ought to gain SFFS citizenship. Perry and Steffan were both here with the Henrik Jansberg band in 2008 and audiences can look forward to an exciting diversity of music from this specially formed trio.
Based in London and led by Voodoo King Nickens Nkoso, Kasaï Masaï brings us the traditional sound of the most remote equatorial African villages with a unique, urban and contemporary twist. Kasaï Masaï are a truly special quintet that combine d'jembe, guitar, saxophone, bass and drum. As well as the many original compositions, they play ancestral music that has been passed on from generation to generation.
Kasai is a region of Congo that is named after a river in the heart of the rainforest where many tribes maintain their traditional lifestyles. The Masai are a dignified tribe whose lives still centre around a nomadic existence.
The band’s sound is rooted in the healing power of the driving percussion and singing combined with the majestic Congolese guitar and jazz saxophone. Written in Swahili, Lingala and Kimongo, the lyrics reflect the cultural diversity of a region where more than four hundred languages are still spoken. Kasaï Masaï give an incredible live show, and even the most rigid of audiences have difficulty standing still in the presence of such absorbing African rhythms!
Ross Couper from Shetland (now based in Glasgow) and Tom Oakes from Devon (now Edinburgh) are a fiddle and guitar duo deeply rooted in the traditions of Scotland and Ireland but with a vital modernity that chronicles their many musical journeys so far. Although Shetland and Devon are just about as diametrically opposed as it’s possible to get in the UK, Couper and Oakes have struck up a musical harmony with this duo sensation while retaining their fiercely distinctive styles.
Ross’ explosive fiddle playing now lies at the heart of some of the biggest acts on the Scottish folk scene including award winning Bodega and as a member of the mighty Peatbog Faeries. Tom Oakes is a multi award winning guitarist and flautist, who as well as being a founder member of the genre defying Auvo Quartet, is also known for his work with Luke Daniels (Riverdance) and Damien Barber, who picked up Best Live Act at the 2009 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. It’s little wonder that they were shortlisted in the Best Up and Coming category in the 2011 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards!
Audiences can expect a highly dynamic mixture of power and fragility with a warmth and humour that leaves everyone exhilarated and entertained.
Formed in early 2004, Baltic Crossing consists of five award-winning musicians from Finland, Denmark and the UK bringing you fiery Scandinavian tunes, bubbling Northumbrian pipes and a driving guitar and double bass rhythm section. Wherever they meet, at least one of their musicians must cross the Baltic Sea and together they bring a new youthful energy to the European folk scene.
Travelling from Finland are two musicians who performed at the 2009 Shetland Folk Festival with Frigg - Antti Järvelä on double bass & mandolin and his cousin Esko Järvelä on fiddle & viola, who both come from the famous folk music village of Kaustinen. From Denmark is multi award winning Kristian Bugge on fiddle, a musician who picked up two Danish Music Awards in 2005 for Debut Folk Album of the year and Folk Instrumentalist of the Year.
Representing the UK is Iain Stephenson on guitar and button accordion (who will also be performing with KAN) as well as Andy May on piano and Northumbrian and Uillean pipes. Iain graduated from the degree course in Folk and Traditional Music at Newcastle University, where he now teaches and besides Baltic Crossing is also known from playing in 422 and with the Kathryn Tickell Band. Andy is also a widely respected player, who won his first piping competition at the age of 10.
As Baltic Crossing, they released their debut CD with GO’ Danish Folk Music in March 2008 which when reviewed by Dirty Linen was summarised as being full of flair and imagination and “enjoyable on so many different levels that any fan of English or Nordic Music will find much to like”. In 2010, their latest album Firetour was released - also to great acclaim.
From Belgium travels KV Express – a trio centred on the band’s founder Sophie Cavez, who is one of Belgium’s most prolific accordion-players. Together with Cedric Waterschoot on bass guitar and Michel Seba on percussion, they create a fresh sound combining folk, jazz and rock mixed with many traditional world styles, particularly from the southern parts of the European and American Continents.
Featuring many of Sophie’s own compositions, KV Express have released two albums to date – LUNA in 2007 and D-Sensation in 2010. Both albums deliver the KV Express slice of Belgian folk-roots music performed with punch, rhythmic variety and ease. They showcase top quality Belgian tunes for lovers of relaxing, creative and crossover acoustic music. As coined by one reviewer, KV Express play bal folk music (beautiful waltzes, polkas, schottisches) at Belgian folk festivals and clubs, which is made for dancing to but great fun to listen to as well! (Erwin Libbrecht, 2010) The Shetland Folk Festival is delighted to invite them north for their debut UK appearance.
Following his hugely successful debut appearance at the 2011 Shetland Folk Festival, we have invited back a memebr of Allansmagic once more, specifically to help provide entertainment at our Festival events targeted at our younger audience members.
ALLANS MAGIC was established in 2004 by multi-award winning magical entertainers Alan Innes and Allan Petrie who have over 25 years' experience between them. They are Scotland's premier family entertainment company who have won numerous awards over the last few years including twice being voted Scottish Children's Entertainers of the Year!
Watch this space for details of magic shows in the Festival Club (for SFFS Members only) and for the particular events that they will be appearing at.