Shetland’s internationally renowned fiddler Chris Stout is set to make a welcome return to the islands next week when he and long term musical associate Catriona McKay (harp, piano) play two concerts in Shetland  as part of their Scottish winter tour.

The concerts, co-promoted by Atlantic Edge Music Services and Shetland Arts, will be held in the Baltasound Hall, Unst on Wednesday the 4^th November and again the following evening in Lerwick Town Hall. Both concerts start at 7.30pm and support will be provided by Shetland’s astounding young vocalist Erin Sandison, who currently holds the coveted title of Shetland ‘Young Musician of the Year’.

Chris and Catriona

The concert in Unst will be totally acoustic, and the duo will also be performing material from their new / forthcoming album, as well as popular material from their back catalogue.

Chris and Catriona have toured throughout the world as a duo for a number of years to ever-increasing acclaim, while both also maintain high profile and successful solo careers in their own right. Their musical association doesn’t end there of course, as both are also members of Shetland’s legendary fiddle group ‘Fiddlers Bid’, who last performed in Shetland during Shetland Arts ‘Fiddle Frenzy’ festival earlier this year’.

As well as being recognised as one of Scotland’s leading traditional fiddle players, Chris is also very much involved in the classical music world, having performed alongside the likes of the Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and also the Singapore Chinese National Orchestra. Add to that his involvement with contemporary artists such as the Finlay MacDonald Band and Salsa Celtica, not to mention recent visits to Brazil to perform with prominent musicians in that country, and you will immediately realise that not only here do we have a hugely talented and diverse musician who recognises no musical boundaries, but also one who is continually challenging them.

Catriona is also a wonderful musician of international standing in her own right, recognised quite simply as perhaps the most exciting and dynamic harp player in the UK today. Again classically trained at the RSAMD in Glasgow, Catriona has forged a varied musical career for herself that again knows no boundaries. She has released two solo albums in her own right, the last of which, ‘Starfish’, received five star reviews throughout the UK and international media and was nominated as ‘Album of the Year’ at last year’s Scottish Traditional Music Awards. In 2007 Catriona won the coveted title of ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ at the same ceremony. She has also collaborated with a variety of internationally recognised musicians, both on album and in concert

In short two astounding musicians in one small but incredibly dynamic and talented package.

Chris Stout said “We are really delighted to be home in Shetland again as part of this particular tour. We’ve been back recently with Fiddlers Bid for Fiddle Frenzy, and previous to that with my quintet for the 2008 Johnsmas Foy, but it’s great to be back with the duo this time as it’s been a long time since we’ve performed here in that particular format. I’m especially excited about getting back up to Unst after so long and of course playing the Town Hall in Lerwick is always a very special experience. It should be a great couple of nights for everyone concerned.

Bryan Peterson – Music Development Officer with Shetland Arts – said “It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Chris and Catriona back to Shetland. They’re both truly world-class musicians and Chris is perhaps Shetland’s finest ambassador for progressive folk music. Most people will be familiar with their roof raising performances with Fiddlers’ Bid, but their duet performances allow audiences to enjoy the more subtle and intimate aspects of their composition and performance skills”

Entry to the Unst concert is on the door on the night, while tickets for the Town Hall concert are available through the Lerwick Box Office at Islesburgh Community Centre or by calling 745555.

For further information or to arrange interviews with Chris and / or Catriona contact:

Davie Gardner – Atlantic Edge Music Services on (01595) 69 5675 or 07867 654 509

Shetland Arts’ Creative Connections is a marathon, seven-day and night festival, celebrating the contemporary creative culture of Shetland, incorporating four summer schools, cultural and creative visits across the islands, showcase concerts and dances, a specially curated exhibition and an artist residency.  This event is part of Scotland’s Year of Homecoming and takes place throughout Shetland between 3 – 9 August.

Now into its sixth year, Fiddle Frenzy is Shetland’s renowned fiddle school using top exponents of their craft to teach tunes and techniques drawn from the unique island traditions as heard world wide by our contemporary performers. In addition to the daily workshops held throughout the week in Lerwick, Whalsay and Fetlar, Fiddle Frenzy provides seven days of concerts in Lerwick’s Garrison Theatre, at the Clickimin Centre, in the village of Voe and on the island of Fetlar. This year’s showcase concerts include performances by Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, Fiddlers Bid, Bryan Gear and Violet Tulloch, Fullscelidh Spelemannslag, Kevin Henderson, the Heritage Fiddlers and many more.

For 2009 there have been additions made to the week long summer school event.  ‘Art Craft Experience’ is based on Shetland’s well known textile culture, grown from our knitting techniques and continuous creative development. During the workshops the tutors will teach basic Shetland knitted structures and their contemporary application for creative textiles.  Afternoon visits will take students to the studios of some of Shetland’s visual artists, craft makers and applied artists, to see their work and share in their experiences of working as an artist in Shetland. Students will visit the Bonhoga Gallery for the ‘Diaspora’ exhibition featuring four Shetland artists who have chosen to live outwith Shetland, and four artists who have made their home in the islands.  An artist in residence with family connections in Shetland, Hazel White, will spend a month at The Booth, an artist living/working space in Scalloway.  She will take part in some of the workshops while developing a project around her work in digital jewellery.

‘Makkin’ Wi Wirds’ is the title of the writing workshops with T.S. Eliot Prize winner, Jen Hadfield, exploring ideas of place through praise poem, myth and music. Shetland has a well respected literature scene, and these workshops will give students the encouragement to realise their ideas and visit some of the dramatic sites that have inspired some very high profile writers, from Robert Louis Stevenson to Will Self. Students will have an opportunity to share their compositions by stepping up to the ‘open mike’ at Creative Connection Club nights.

Another integral part of Creative Connections is ‘Shetland’s Storytelling Festival’, our top storytellers accompany the afternoon cultural trips and provide an insight into the folklore of the islands and the contemporary yarning that still flourishes in day to day Shetland life, act as hosts for the concerts and the festival club and provide that invaluable insight to Shetland past and present.

Clickimin Comedy is a stand up comedy event on Friday 7th at the Clickimin Centre, Lerwick, featuring visiting comedians Michael Redmond, Steven Dick and Eilidh MacAskill together with local comedian Les Sinclair and compère Sandy Nelson. The event is part of Shetland Arts comedy development programme which has so far included events such as Stand Up At Sound and Stand Up Helly Aa.

Creative Connections ‘Festival Club’ at the Garrison Theatre, provides a chance, each evening after the concerts, for all students and visitors to mix and enjoy traditional music and storytelling sessions until the early hours.

Bookings can be make from Shetland Box office 01595 745555 or in person from Islesburgh Community Centre, King Harald Street, Lerwick.

Contact us for more information on Creative Connections.