SCOTS SINGER OF THE YEAR TOUR
Item Posted: Tuesday 27th October, 2009
SCOTS SINGER OF THE YEAR TOUR
Three renowned Celtic musicians, Mairi Campbell on fiddle & vocals, Abby Newton on cello, and Kim Robertson on Celtic harp, will be joining forces as a trio this autumn for a special tour of Scotland.
They perform the vibrant folk music of Scotland and of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where Scottish Highland music has continued in a living tradition since the 18th century. From poignant airs to high-spirited strathspeys and reels, their dynamic arrangements unleash both the subtle beauty and rhythmic energy of this timeless music. ‘The music they play can range effortlessly from achingly beautiful to simply breathtaking. And they have such a good time doing it!’
Mairi Campbell has been a well established singer/songwriter and fiddler for some years in the traditional music world, but her voice has been heard recently by millions who would not previously have known of her - as the voice of Auld Lang Syne in the 'Sex and the City’ feature film. Mairi Campbell's voice is one of the great sounds of Scottish folk music today, as a fine interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns as well as more contemporary Scottish material.
In the last couple of years she has picked up a tranch of awards She was awarded 'Scots Singer of the Year' at the Scots Trad Music Awards, 'Female Musician of the Year’ and ‘Composition of the Year’ at the Live Ireland Awards, as well as winning the Burnsong song writing competition. She is currently working on a new album, due out in January 2010 of her own material (co-written with Dave Francis), and also continues to teach fiddle and a community folk choir. As ‘The Cast’ she and Dave Francis have produced three critically acclaimed albums.
Abby Newton is a cellist of unusual versatility, known for her groundbreaking work in the revival of the cello in American and Scottish traditional music. She has composed cello parts for over fifty recordings by a variety of folk artists on both sides of the Atlantic, including Scottish singer, Jean Redpath, and has made it her mission to re-establish the cello in traditional Scottish music, bringing the instrument back into the fold in her many concerts, recordings, and master classes. In addition to her solo CDs, Abby has recorded and produced numerous recordings to critical acclaim. ‘Her music is soothing, mesmerizing, yet it is also exciting.....hearing the elegance and beauty that Abby can evoke with her bow.’
Kim Robertson is a renowned performer and instructor who has stretched the boundaries of the harp for a new generation of performers and audiences. As a pioneer in the American folk harp movement, she combines an improvisational spirit with a passionate sense of tradition, bringing a contemporary touch to a centuries old instrument. Classically trained on piano and orchestral harp, Kim’s discovery of the Celtic harp grew into a profound love for the instrument, setting her upon the path of exploration for which she is now widely known. Her work encompasses over 20 album projects and an international itinerary of concerts and retreats. ‘One of the best players recording today...her original works have that traditional ring of truth and authenticity to them.’ (Compact Discussion)