Michael Janisch

An eclectic mix of everything from Latin and swing to soul, groove and the avant garde can be expected from Janisch’s band at evening concerts in the Sandwick Social Club on Friday 17th and St Columba’s Church, Lerwick, on Saturday 18^th, followed by a session in the Lounge on Sunday 19th.

Not content with playing two concerts and the Lounge session, the band will also be holding a series of school workshops and an informal jam session with the public at the Sandwick Social Club before their concert on Friday. There will also be a masterclass at St Columba’s on Saturday afternoon.

Each concert will feature support from one of Shetland’s up and coming young bands, Norman and the Folding Deckchairs.

The visit marks the last of the Peerie Willie Guitar Season concerts, held in celebration of the late great Shetland guitarist Willie Johnson. Performances and educational events this year have featured Ian Bairnson, Jim Mullen, John Etheridge and the Lulo Reinhardt Latin Swing Project.

The group is led by electric and upright bassist Janisch. The name may be familiar to Shetland audiences as Janisch visited as a member of the Alyn Cosker Quartet earlier this year and has been keen to return since.

Mr Jansich said: “I’ve been all over the place and Shetland was still by far one of the most interesting, fun, and dare I say mystical places I’ve ever toured!”

Originally from Wisconsin, he is now based in London where he is an in demand session player, and hosts a regular night at the famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz club.

His virtuosity has resulted in numerous press accolades – The Times describe him as “always hip, melodic, and bouncy”, JazzWise Magazine observed he is a “brilliantly imaginative player, a force of nature”, The Guardian dubbed Janisch “One of the UK’s most exciting new Improvisers with percussive, Mingus-like power”, and the Telegraph noted “Seeing Michael Janisch play jazz bass is a tonic in itself. He doesn’t tickle or stroke the instrument, like so many European players, he masters it, the notes always dead centre in pitch, round in tone, and prefaced with a ’thunk’ that has the force of a drum-stroke.”

Michael Janisch Quintet poster

Shetland Arts’ music development officer Bryan Peterson said: “A group led by a bassist is a first for the Peerie Willie Festival. It is fitting as Willie himself was a great bassist as well as seminal guitar player.”

Janisch is joined by four brilliant musicians – guitarist Phil Robson, saxophonist Paul Booth, trumpeter Jay Phelps and drummer Andrew Bain, who have a host of awards and accolades between them.

Robson has won numerous awards for his playing including the has won numerous awards for his playing including the BT ‘Best Soloist of the Year’ award, Perrier Young Jazz award for the ‘Best Instrumentalist of the Year’ and the Parliamentary Jazz Awards ‘Best Jazz Musician of the year.’

His list of playing credits include recordings and performances with such luminaries as Barbra Streisand, Sir John Dankworth & Dame Cleo Laine, Wayne Krantz, Georgy Fame, Tommy Smith, Martin Taylor, Michael McDonald and Pee Wee Ellis.

Canadian Phelps is at the forefront of the young and creative generation of jazz musicians in the UK. Remarkably experienced for a musician in his 20s, he has played with the likes of Courtney Pine, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Brown, John Hendricks, George Benson, Jamie Cullum, Sir John Dankworth, Amy Winehouse, and Charlotte Church..

Saxophonist Booth is one of the most exciting and in demand musicians on the scene today. He has won many awards including the prestigious Clifford Brown/Stan Getz fellowship in Miami and the Best Modern Jazz Player category in the televised Young Jazz Player of the Year competition. Currently in the Steve Winwood band, he has performed worldwide with the likes of Eric Clapton, Snowboy, Tony Hadley and the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Finally, drummer Bain is one of the leading performers and educators in the UK today. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Manhattan School of Music, and winner of the BBC Big Band Drummer award, he has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman and Bob Mintzer. Bain is also co-director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland.

The band are currently on tour to support Janisch’s latest album ‘Purpose Built’ which has been receiving great critical acclaim – “well-crafted, polished writing and arranging, merging straightahead, latin, fusion styles for the contemporary jazz palette…”, (JazzWise), “exuberantly angular and rhythmic, can unexpectedly veer towards the tender…4 stars” (Telegraph), “infectiously vibrant debut” (Scotsman), “Janisch’s originals balance complexity and pulse – 4 Stars” (Financial Times), “one of the most inventive cross-border bandleaders to have recently arrived on the scene” — John Fordham, The Guardian

Mr Peterson added: “The group truly are some of the most prodigiously talented jazz musicians in the world. I urge everyone to take the opportunity to experience their music, and thoroughly recommend local musicians of all styles to come along to the masterclass on Saturday and session on Sunday to get an insight into their remarkable playing and compositional techniques.”

Tickets for the evening concerts, which start at 9pm at the Sandwick Social Club on Friday the 17^th and at 7.30pm at St Columba’s Church on Saturday the 18^th cost £12 (£8 concession) and are available at Shetland Box Office. Tickets for the Sandwick concert are also available on the door or at the Social Club.

Tickets for the masterclass at St Columba’s, from 2-4pm on Saturday the 18^th cost £5, also available from Shetland Box Office or at the door. Under 16s are free.

Entry to the jam session at the Lounge on Sunday 19^th is free, participants are welcome.

Itinerary

Friday 17th December

• 10am to 1pm – School workshops
• 7pm to 9pm – Sandwick Jazz Session @ Sandwick Social Club – Free jam session, all abilities welcome
• 9pm till late – Concert in Sandwick Social Club Function Room – £12/8 – Tickets from Shetland Box Office, Sandwick Social Club or on door

Saturday 18th December

• 2pm to 4pm – Masterclass at St. Columba’s Church, Lerwick – £5 (under 16s free) – Tickets from Shetland Box Office or on door
• 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm – Concert at St. Columba’s Church, Lerwick – £12/8 – Tickets from Shetland Box Office or on door

Sunday 19th December

• 2pm to 5 pm – Lounge Bar, Lerwick – Free jam session, all abilities welcome

The band

Michael Janisch – electric and upright bass

Since his arrival in London in 2005 (where he now resides), Michael has worked with many of the UK’s leading internationally renown jazz artists, “adding a little muscle” (JazzReview.com) to the bands of Jason Rebello, Gary Husband, Sir John Dankworth, Jean Toussaint, Phil Robson, Tim Garland, Julian Joseph, Martin Taylor, Tommy Smith, Julian Arguellis, Christine Tobin, Dennis Rollins, Nigel Hitchcock, Martin France, and Gerard Presencer, as well as rising stars Soweto Kinch, Jim Hart, Paul Towndrow, Alex Garnett, Robert Mitchell, Paul Booth and Gwilym Simcock. In addition to his work in the jazz world, Janisch has performed with such diverse stars from Annie Lennox to Kevin Spacey to Cat Stevens, and has appeared on the Michael Parkinson Show, MTV Europe, The Brit Awards, Strictly Come Dancing, and various BBC programs and documentaries. Moreover, he currently teaches at both the Royal Academy of Music and The Trinity College, two of Europe’s finest institutions of music.

Michael Janish on electric bass

But it is Michael’s rapidly blossoming career as a bandleader, however, that has garnered the young bassist the most international attention. He has established a strong reputation as a guiding light for creating world-class collaborations between musicians in the US and the UK. John Fordham, one of the UK’s leading jazz critics, affirms that “the London-based American bassist Michael Janisch, whose virtuosity has put him in the UK’s top jazz flight since his arrival in 2005, is having an impact beyond his hard-driving bass playing, with his high profile matching of American and British talent.” (Jazz UK).

His groups have headlined to sell-out crowds up and down the country, from Ronnie Scott’s in the heart of Soho to the Blue Lamp in Aberdeen, Scotland. In 2008, his critically acclaimed TransAtlantic Collective embarked on an extensive UK tour, performing in over 30 venues across England, Scotland, and Wales, and headlining London’s famous Southbank Centre Purcell Room as one of the London Jazz Festival’s featured acts. His groups perform regularly across Mainland Continental Europe and his native US as well.

In January 2009, he recorded a full program of mainly original music with 9 world-class American and British musicians at the renown Systems Two recording studio in Brooklyn, New York. These musicians are some of the guiding lights of their generation, including tenor saxophonists Walter Smith III and Paul Booth, vibraphonist Jim Hart, guitarists Mike Moreno and Phil Robson, alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius, trumpeter Jason Palmer, pianist Aaron Goldberg, and drummer Johnathan Blake. This project was released worldwide in mid October as Janisch’s debut album “Purpose Built” on his own newly minted “Whirlwind Recordings Ltd.” label. In celebration of the record’s launch, Janisch embarked on a tour the UK with an all-star quintet of international musicians performing the music from this exciting new release. This entire project is the bassist’s most creative and ambitious musical adventure to date, showcasing music that cuts a wide swath from the broad stylistic continuum of jazz history, and in addition representing the diverse range of the bassist’s musical influences outside the improvised realm. Highlight performances from the band’s itinerary included a headline berth at the Scarborough International Jazz Festival and 2 nights at the venerable Pizza Express Jazz Room in Soho, where Janisch also kicked off a new monthly residency to showcase his musical projects.

• www.michaeljanisch.com – Michael’s website

Phil Robson – guitar

Phil is internationally regarded as a highly versatile and creative player who appears in all kinds of diverse settings, as well as being a renowned bandleader & composer. It is difficult to categorise his style of playing & writing, as so many influences & experiences have gone into the melting pot.

Phil Robson

Earlier, prevailing influences such as Hendrix & Miles, Parker etc blend with many elements from the wider jazz world such as Ornette Coleman, Dave Holland, McCoy Tyner etc as well as with dimensions from African & Brazilian music, 20th century composers & contemporary musicians of all kinds as well as maintaining a respect for the entire jazz tradition. He has been commissioned several times to write music & put projects together by both Derby Jazz & Birmingham jazz.

In pure guitar terms, a large cross section (Wes, Martino, Hall, Eubanks, Frisell, Metheny etc, etc) are apparent in the mix, but the end result has created an individual way of playing that prompted US sax legend David Liebman to say “Phil is a wonderful guitarist and composer, definitely a unique player. We had a ball and hopefully I will be able to play with Phil again.”

Phil has won numerous awards for his playing including the BT ‘Best Soloist of the Year’ award (1997), Perrier Young Jazz award for the ‘Best Instrumentalist of the Year’ (1998) and the Parliamentary Jazz Awards ‘Best Jazz Musician of the year.’ (2009)

Phil’s list of playing credits include recordings and performances with such luminaries as Barbra Streisand, Sir John Dankworth & Dame Cleo Laine, Big Jon Patton, Georgy Fame, Martin Taylor, Michael McDonald, Pee Wee Ellis, Sammy Nestico & Bud Shank, Lalo Shiffron, Charles Earland, David Liebman, Horatio El Negro Hernandez, Steve Lacy, Mark Turner, Billy Hart, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Marc Copland, Wayne Krantz, Mike Gibbs, James Genus, Peter Herbert, Bob Brookmeyer, Tim Garland, Tommy Smith, Django Bates, Stan Sulzmann, Jeff Williams, John Hebert, Ben Street, Duane Eubanks, Bobby Wellins and Denys Baptiste.

• www.philrobson.net – Phil’s website
• Jazz Wise Magazine interview with Phil
• www.myspace.com/philrobson Phil’s MySpace

Jay Phelps – trumpet

Jay Phelps

Jay is at the forefront of the young and creative generation of jazz musicians in the UK, with an instantly recognizable warm and projecting tone. A Vancouver-born Canadian, Jay was tutored by the city’s top jazz and classical trumpeters and distinguished himself early on as the youngest band-leader in the Vancouver International Jazz Festival’s history.

At 17, Jay moved to London, determined to immerse himself in the jazz scene and immediately attracted the notice of Gary Crosby who offered him work with Jazz Jamaica, Nu Troop and, in 2002, the opportunity to be a Tomorrow’s Warrior. Citing Louis Armstrong, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown and Miles Davis as his main influences, Jay went on to create and co-lead the young and hip jazz sensation Empirical, where he spent two years touring major festivals and events, while garnishing worldwide media attention that UK jazz musicians haven’t enjoyed for years. Jay has performed and recorded with a veritable who’s who of both UK and international jazz artists such as Courtney Pine, Andrew Hill, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Brown, John Hendricks, Nasheet Waits, George Benson, Jamie Cullum, Sir John Dankworth, Dennis Rollins, Guy Barker, Amy Winehouse, Charlotte Church, Hugh Masakela and Jazz Jamaica. Still only 28, Jay is determined to educate the next generation of jazz musicians with a local project entitled Jazz Youth.

In Jay Walkin’–his solo-debut–Jay departs from the current trend of experimental modernism, occasionally evoking the spirit of the 1940′s New York Birdland scene with playful vocals by showman-vocalist Michael Mwenso. Set out to honour the integrity and capture what is the traditional spirit of Jazz music, Phelps has composed and arranged songs with this in his vision.

• www.lineupmusic.co.uk/jp_site – Jay’s website
• myspace.com/jayphelpsjazz – Jay’s MySpace
• JazzWise Profile

Paul Booth – saxophones

Paul Boot

Paul Booth is one of the most exciting and in demand musicians on the scene today.

Although a very prominent figure on the jazz scene with an album released on the Jazzizit label and his latest album “No Looking Back” on the Basho label, his versatility has seen him play in many musical genres. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London from the age of 16 and graduated with honours at the age 20.

In his early years he won many awards including the prestigious Clifford Brown/Stan Getz fellowship held in Miami, “The Best Modern Jazz Player” category in the televised “Young Jazz Player of the Year” competition and many more.

Paul is currently in the Steve Winwood band has performed worldwide with the likes of Riverdance (for over two years), Eric Clapton, Matt Bianco, Basia, Tony Hadley, Eddie Henderson, Alex Wilson, Roberto Pla, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Snowboy, Ray Gelato, Jane Monheit.

He is a regular at Ronnie Scotts jazz club in London with his own band and others and has done several UK tours under his own name with the backing of Jazz Services and Jazz Action. Some other jazz groups he has been involved with include Arnie Somogyi’s Ambulance, Sax Appeal, The New Couriers, Mike Garrick Big Band, Tim Garland’s Northern Underground Orchestra etc.

• www.paulboothsax.com – Paul’s website
• www.myspace.com/paulboothmusic – Paul’s MySpace

Andrew Bain – drums

Andy Bai

Andrew is one of the leading performers and educators in the UK. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and Winner of the BBC Big Band Drummer 2001, he has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Bob Mintzer, Iain Dixon, Mike Walker, Mike Janisch, Phil Robson, Jim Hart, Mark Lockheart, Chris Batchelor, Mark Hodgson, Jean Toussaint, Houston Pearson, John Parricelli, Steve Watts, Stan Sulzman, and was a member of Jacqui Dankworth’s band between 2007-8, recording with the late Sir John Dankworth in 2008. He has performed at London jazz clubs, Ronnie Scott’s, The 606, The Vortex; at the BBC Proms, at the Montreux Jazz Festival and with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Receiving his Masters from the Manhattan School of Music, he was resident in New York from 2001-07. During this time he performed extensively with Thelonious Monk Competition winner Jon Irabagon and singer Jason Liebman. He performed at many of New York’s famous clubs including Sin-E, CBGBs and the Mercury Lounge, and recorded at Sony Studios, NY. Andrew co-leads the NY-based group Confluence whose eponymous debut showcased original and highly inventive compositions. Their second record will be released on the record label Fresh Sound, New Talent later this year. Andrew is a faculty member at the Guildhall School of Music and the Birmingham Conservatoire. He is also a member of the National Youth Jazz Collective with Artistic Director Dave Holland and is co-Director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland.

• www.andrewbain.org – Andrew’s website
• www.andrewbain.org/mp3s – Free mp3s

Press Quotes

…about Michael

”a jazz bassist everyone with ears seems to want” – The Buffalo News

“powerful, Charles Mingus-informed playing” — All About Jazz

“Janisch is one of the few bass players out there who plays both electric and upright with equal facility, passion and musicality.” — Bass Musician Magazine

“Seeing Michael Janisch play jazz bass is a tonic in itself. He doesn’t tickle or stroke the instrument, like so many European players, he masters it, the notes always dead centre in pitch, round in tone, and prefaced with a ’thunk’ that has the force of a drum-stroke.” — The Telegraph

“brilliantly imaginative player, a force of nature” — JazzWise

“One of the UK’s most exciting new Improvisers with percussive, Mingus-like power” — The Guardian

“…Janisch seizes the instrument with a blend of speed and energy as if he wants to be melody, harmony and rhythm all at once.” — The Telegraph (UK)

“…the London-based American bassist Michael Janisch, whose virtuosity has put him in the UK’s top jazz flight since his arrival in 2005…is having an impact beyond his hard-driving bass-playing.” –John Fordham, Jazz UK

“always hip, melodic, and bouncy” –The Times of London

“Michael Janisch was a powerful, driving presence all night, but his speed, fluency, imagination and dextrous mastery of such a hulking instrument was really remarkable” — The Left Lion, Nottingham

….about the ‘Purpose Built’ album and tour

“Bass players, jazz lovers, music lovers… you all owe it to yourselves to check this album out! Janisch is one of the few bass players out there who plays both electric and upright with equal facility, passion and musicality. This being his debut as a leader, I can honestly say that this may be the best debut album I’ve heard yet.” — Damian Erskine, Bass Musician Magazine

“His music is quite capable of creating beauty with attendant amounts of melodic and rhythmic interest… [Purpose Built]…abounds with innovation, invention, and imagination” — The Musicians’ Ombudsman

“Clearly an auspicious debut, there’s not a wasted note on board and left leaning jazzbos will be feeling it. This kid has got it going on.” — Midwest Record

“Grabs your ears and won’t let go” — JazzWax

“If smart is sexy, then Purpose is an eminently sexy effort. The session has a staggering depth of thought, filled with content-rich pieces that routinely go beyond the genre’s well-worn performance framework. Hopefully there is more where Purpose Built came from, because intelligent, full-bodied music like this is what jazz needs to succeed in this new century.” — J Hunter, All About Jazz

“An estimable release from a talented and energetic young artist” — Jazz Chicago

“Purpose Built seamlessly marries the highest virtues of jazz – intricate yet purposeful rhythm, colourful harmonic language, compelling melody and high-level improvisation together with those often underused qualities of light and shade… a perfect blend of tradition and modernity” — Jazz Journal

“well-crafted, polished writing and arranging, merging straightahead, latin, fusion styles for the contemporary jazz palette…” JazzWise

“Janisch’s originals balance complexity and pulse” — 4 Stars, Financial Times

“one of the most inventive cross-border bandleaders to have recently arrived on the scene” — John Fordham, The Guardian

“infectiously vibrant debut” — The Scotsman

“exuberantly angular and rhythmic, can unexpectedly veer towards the tender” — 4 Stars Telegraph

“…originals are fresh and memorable while the mix of NY and UK musicians deliver faultless and inspired interpretations…” — 4 Stars, MOJO Magazine

“one of the most enjoyable albums of 2009″ — 4 Stars, JazzMann

“excellent” — 4 Stars, All Gig UK

“Impressive from beginning to end, Purpose Built goes a long way to building a sturdy foundation from which Janisch will undoubtedly carve out a long career in jazz. Excellent musicianship, intelligent compositions and an authoritative approach to the music, makes this recording an unquestionable success.” — Edward Blanco, All About Jazz

“driven by Janisch’s unflagging dynamism… this is full-throttle, straightforwardly enjoyable but consistently musicianly jazz…” — Vortex CD Review

“unique… satisfying… one of the best albums of the year” — Blues and Soul Magazine

“Janisch’s writing is an attractive mix of densely harmonised tunes and softer, more open pieces giving space for excellent improvisation” — The Oxford Times

“Purpose Built is a classy set of serious modern jazz with a dark edgy groove at its heart… [Janisch's] playing is full-bodied and warm sounding, much like a cross between Mingus and Dave Holland.” — Bass Guitar Magazine

“A good bass player builds and maintains a song’s structural integrity. That said, this album is indeed purpose built.” — The Valdosta Times

Jazz Weekender

The weekend starts on Friday 13^th November with the Kirkwall Grammar School Big Band performing to pupils at Bells Brae and Sound primary schools, and Harris Playfair hosting master-classes at Sandwick Junior High and Anderson High School.

In Islesburgh Centre on Saturday 14^th young local jazz musicians will join the Kirkwall Grammar School Big Band for an afternoon workshop with the Harris Playfair Trio and local jazz musicians.

On Saturday evening, the Town Hall will host the special concert where the young jazz musicians from Orkney and Shetland will perform with the Harris Playfair Trio and special local guests.

The weekend will be rounded-off on Monday 16^th with a final performance by the Kirkwall Grammar School Big Band at the Dunrossness Primary School before they head back to Orkney.

Harris Playfair

The Harris Playfair Trio comprises Harris on piano, accompanied by double bassist Brodie Jarvie, a student on the new Jazz course at the RSAMD in Glasgow and drummer Ian Barclay who Harris plays with in the Kilter Ceilidh Band. Kilter has just been nominated for a Scottish Trad Music Award in the Scottish Dance Band category.

Harris, who was born in Lerwick and is now based in the Scottish Borders, is a well respected performer, composer and instructor who works at a range of establishments including Newcastle University where he lectures on the Traditional Music course.

He is known to many in Shetland through his jazz and classical influenced arrangements of traditional Shetland music and his work with Ceol Mor, the traditional youth “supergroup” who have boasted Shetland musicians such as Ross Couper and Victoria Laurenson among their ranks.

The Kirkwall Grammar School Big Band features young brass and woodwind players, with 2 sixth year trainee leaders and teachers, Alasdair Harvey (director), Elaine Geddes (music teacher) and Brian Jones (brass tutor). The band formed 18 months ago, from the Orkney Swing Band, and have gone from strength to strength performing Big Band/Swing classics and Jazz standards including pieces by Dizzy Gillespie, George Gershwin, Herbie Hancock, Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller.

KGSBB

The band have played extensively at events in Orkney, including schools instrumental concerts, Orkney aggregates Valentine Ball, rotary Club Charity Dinner and joint concerts with Kirkwall Town Band, as well as many private functions.

The Jazz Weekender provides an opportunity for young jazz musicians from Orkney and Shetland to get together, learn new skills and have some fun. Jazz is brilliant artform through which young players can express themselves, improvise freely and develop their musicianship in a variety of ways. The Saturday evening concert will give Shetland audiences a chance to hear some of our finest young musicians perform alongside performers as accomplished as the Harris Playfair Trio.

Tickets for the Saturday evening concert are priced £10 and £8 for concessions and are available from Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Community Centre. Tickets can be purchased by credit card over the phone by calling 01595 745 555.

The Saturday afternoon workshop is aimed at younger players but open to all. Free places can be booked by calling Shetland Arts on 01595 743 843.

This project was part funded by the Scottish Arts Council Jazz Development Fund.

As ever, it’s a packed program featuring some of the best music Shetland has to offer throughout each day and evening. For the full lineup visit www.flavourofshetland.com/music

Some of the many highlights I’m looking forward to include…

Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag, who are making two appearances this year; tonight at 22.00 and Saturday at 17.30 where they will release their new album. Entitled “Spreefix”, the recording was produced by omni-talented Jonathan Ritch (of Fiddlers’ Bid fame) at Wethersta Studio outside Brae.

Friday night is sure to be a spree with The Revellers and Hom Bru headlining.

Norman and the Folding Deck Chairs, Shetland’s young jazz prodigies take to the stage at noon on Saturday, with The Vinyls and Scaldin Bragg closing proceedings in the evening.

To round things off, Sunday afternoon features a bouquet of Shetland’s finest females singers including Sheila Henderson, Izzy Swanson (Mahogany), Freda Leask and Young Musician of the Year Erin Sandison.

Notable this year is the number of bands playing acoustic sets, in part due to Shetland’s most pervasive drummer, Archer Kemp, breaking his elbow a few weeks ago (wishing you a speedy recovery Archer).

See you on the pier…

Here’s a photo slideshow, which will be updated throughout the weekend, courtesy of Marvin Smith

Shetland Young Promoter’s Group (SYPG) will hold a fund-raising ‘Variety Night’ in the South Nesting Public Hall on Saturday the 11th of April.

The event will allow the SYPG to further work of promoting young musicians and bands, and giving the youth of Shetland greater access to well produced music events.

The evening, compared by Scalloway School teacher Patrick Robertson, will start with a concert followed by supper and a dance.

Concert performers include Shetland Senior Young Musician of the Year Erin Sandison, Shetland Schools Music festival award winning group “Norman & The Folding Deckchairs”, Kollifirbolli and “The Bryan McCaffrey Experience”.

There will also be comedy sketches by performers including Margaret Jean Robertson.

The dance will feature young bands “Brack da Bröd” and “Four Piece Suite” culminating with “Rachel Anne Williamson & Friends”

Chairperson Ryan Stevenson said, “We aim to promote young bands in all areas of music and we think the best way to introduce new dance bands is to give them a chance to play”

SYPG committee member Harley Gear said, “We’d like to thank all the local businesses who generously donated prizes for the raffle. We’re really grateful for all the help we’re getting from everyone”

Bryan Peterson, Shetland Arts Music Development Officer added. “It’s great to see the young promoters putting such effort into supporting the young performers and their local communities. Many of the promoters themselves are top class musicians, such as SYPG Vice Chair Lana Thomson, a Schools Music Festival Award Winner and finalist in the Young Musician of the Year competition. The SYPG gives them a chance to gain experience of the organisational side of events, which really complements their performance skills.”

The Variety Night will be held in the South Nesting Hall on Saturday 11th of April starting at 7pm. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for children (under 16’s) and are available from the Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick – 01595 745 555 and the Robertson and Reid shop, South Nesting – 01595 890 374
Press release ends

SYPG Variety Night poster

Further information
www.bebo.com/sypg
SYPG c.o. Shetland Arts, Toll Clock Centre, Lerwick, Shetland
01595 743 843

Notes to the editor:
The group aim to build on the recent success of their over 14s alcohol free ‘Rock vs. Rave’ event at the Aith Hall on 20th February. This youth gig featured performances by local bands The Revellers, Pets In Jars and Happy Hour, together with DJs Nadia and Murray.

The ‘Variety night’ is the latest in a long list of events planned for the coming year including:

• Youth Music Forum Conference – Sat 16th May – Sandveien Community Centre – featuring a performance by Oscar Charlie

• Silent Disco – 22nd & 23rd May – Islesburgh Community Centre and Norscot Angling Club (a disco where no speakers are used as the audience hear the music through wireless headphones)

The Shetland Young Promoter’s Group (SYPG) is a joint initiative between Shetland Arts, The Shetland Youth Music Forum and Shetland Youth Services. SYPG is an enterprise to empower young people to stage music events and gain the real-world skills and knowledge needed to manage and promote their own concerts.

SYPG organise events in conjunction with experienced promoters, technical crews and music industry professionals in order to learn aspects of event management; including promotion, business skills, health and safety, sound engineering and lighting; and obtain practical experience of event management and promotion.

It also gives younger audiences a chance to experience live performances in a safe environment and provide young up-and-coming musicians, bands and DJs with performance opportunities.

SYPG is a self contained constituted group open to young people aged 14 to 18 who formed in late 2008.

The formation of the group follows consultation with the Shetland Youth Music Forum, a consortium of youth organisations, local agencies, music professionals and young people, intended to support and sustain youth music provision in Shetland.

The Youth Music Forum is an initiative sponsored by the Scottish Arts Council and administered by Shetland Arts.