Live Band of the Year - Scots Trad Music Awards 2004
During a performance, the audience has a rare opportunity to hear pieces featuring the regional styles of each fiddler followed by all hands jumping in for a wonderful explosion of music. Fiddles and bows blaze away with one of the most exciting and memorable fiddle ensembles ever to take the stage.
Since their debut in 1998, the band have thrilled audiences from Canada and the US, through Europe, to the Middle East. Their reputation as performers and teachers is such that their first international fiddle school in Beauly attracted visitors from throughout the world and was a complete sell-out.
Festival appearances over the past couple of years have included The Cambridge Folk Festival, The Sidmouth International Music festival, Celtic Colors in Cape Breton, Tønder Festival in Denmark, the Falun festival in Sweden and Scotland's premier event Celtic Connections. It was at this Scottish festival that they were the subject of a music documentary for BBC Choice. They have made numerous appearances on BBC and ITV music programmes as well as being featured on BBC Radios 2, 4 and Scotland.
Last year they played to over five a half million people on the BBC's Hogmanay show with Capercaillie, Kate Rusby, Roseanne Cash and Liberty X! They have worked with Phil Cunningham in his two commissioned pieces with the Scottish National Orchestra and the celebrated percussionist Evelyn Glennie. The band has twice been in the final short list for the prestigious BBC Folk Awards in the Best Live Act category and nominated for two categories in the Scots Trad Awards 2004, taking home the award for Live Band of the Year.
The fiddle players, Aidan O'Rourke, Allan Henderson, Bruce MacGregor, Catriona Macdonald and Iain MacFarlane are joined by Marc Clement on guitar, and Andy Thorburn on piano.
"The Led Zeppelin of the folk world" The Scotsman
" The U2 of their genre" Grampian TV
" Enough craic to fuel an entire festival" The Highland News
"A Blazin' Fiddles gig is an informal party complete with chaos, fun and natural enthusiasm" Glasgow Fiddle Magazine
AIDAN O'ROURKE
Aidan is a fiddle player and composer from the Isle of Seil of the West Coast of Scotland. He has made his name as one of Scotland's most expressive and dynamic musicians. As well as Blazin' Fiddles Aidan's other pet project is Sunhoney. This has given him the opportunity to explore different styles of music, from rock/pop, to jazz, roots and groove to drum 'n' bass which have had huge influences on his musicality and expression.
"O'Rourke's explosive force and unerring accuracy were at times reminiscent of Eileen Ivers"
ALLAN HENDERSON
Allan was taught by the great left handed fiddler, Angus Grant before becoming one of the first pupils to graduate from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in traditional music. He is a fine piper whistle and piano player and is in constant demand as a tutor and dance band player. Along with Iain and sister Ingrid, they were part of a long running Gaelic TV music series. Allan also does a fine line in stand up comedy!
"Allan Henderson stood as if carved from stone and played a wonderful opening waltz. He was magical"
BRUCE MACGREGOR
Bruce from Inverness, was originally taught by the late, Donald Riddell CBE. As the founding member of Blazin' Fiddles Bruce's style captures the very essence of Scottish fiddle music today - drive, vigour and passion. In a previous life he worked as a producer and presenter for BBC Radio Scotland, two of his programmes on fiddlers Captain Simon Fraser and James Scott Skinner winning international awards.
"MacGregor's full rich tone and quick silver dancing agility resounded with echoes of Stephane Grappelli"
CATRIONA MACDONALD
Catriona is a proud bearer of the Shetland Isles. A star pupil of the late Dr. Tom Anderson MBE, Catriona at once embodies the strength and spirit of her heritage and the freshness and diversity of a thoroughly modern performer. Her superb playing and great charisma, have established her world wide reputation. Her solo album BOLD sees her flourishing as a progressive performer in her own right, offering a wealth of exciting, original musical ideas whilst still firmly holding hands with the past, a part of the ever evolving tradition.
"Catriona opened the set with a glorious slow air, drawing a beautiful mellow tone and captivating an engrossed audience"
IAIN MACFARLANE
Iain was born in Glenfinnan, a small village in Lochaber. Whilst being taught the fiddle from his father and also from Donald Riddell. Language in 1996, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and Drama with a BA in Traditional Music. His recent released duo CD with piper Iain MacDonald has received rave reviews.
"Iain MacFarlane's exquisitely lyrical, west coast accent, produced a typical heart-in-the-mouth set….with his superb technique and mellifluous tone."
ANDY THORBURN
(Piano) Andy has over the years worked with bands such as Mouth Music, Ceolbeg, The Ghillies, The Peatbog Faeries, The Scottish Step Dance Company and the Songhunter project. He is also sought after as a composer, and. His most demanding and satisfying work to date has been his commissioned work for 12 vocalists "Tuath gu Deas", a piece that received tremendous critical acclaim.
MARC CLEMENT
(Guitar) Marc adds a distinctive and inventive side to guitar accompaniment that few can match. He has appeared on numerous Radio and TV performances with nearly all the Blazin' Fiddlers in one form or another. He has also recently toured with Gordon Gunn and Charlie McKerron. Marc is also a very fine interpreter of contemporary song.
"Some of the most accomplished and inventive backing to traditional music that I have ever heard"