Donald Black

 

 

Ace harmonica player Donald Black is firmly established as “the instrument’s foremost exponent in Scottish traditional music” … (Norman Chalmers, Scotland on Sunday, 02-03-08).

Having received his first harmonica from a kindly aunt at the tender age of four, Donald is totally self-taught and, with his unique style and mastery, has almost single-handedly been responsible for the humble mouth organ having been given a new respect and acceptance – forcing professionals and reviewers to sit up and take it seriously as a significant part of the Scottish music scene.

Being a native of Benderloch, Argyll, Scotland, Donald’s roots are firmly steeped in the West of Scotland Highland Bagpipe and Gaelic tradition – but his repertoire extends well beyond this to embrace the idioms of Ireland, Shetland, Cape Breton/Nova Scotia and mainstream Scotland. His playing of thoroughly challenging jigs, hornpipes, marches, strathspeys and reels, and emotionally charged slow airs and laments has delighted audiences from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, UK-wide, through Europe to Russia and the USA – gaining many very favourable performance reviews.

Donald has had great success at events such as: Edinburgh Folk Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Celtic Connections (Glasgow), Tønder Festival (Denmark), St Patrick’s Day Festival (Moscow), Visaginas Festival  (Lithuania), The National Mod (of Scotland), Speyfest Folk Festival (Fochabers), Hebridean Folk Festival (Isle of Lewis), Bute Folk Festival, Orkney Folk Festival, Killin Folk Festival, Crawley Folk Festival, Carrbridge Folk Festival, Auchtermuchty Folk Festival, Syracuse Highland Gathering (USA), Blas Highland Festival (Nairn, Strontian & Durness), Fèis (Isle of Tiree), Fèis (Isle of Raasay), Fèis (Isle of Mull), Seafood Festival (Oban), Drams in the Field  (Glenelg), Lewis & Harris Annual Gathering (Glasgow), Fèis an Coisir (Isle of Lewis), Cowalfest (Strone & Strachur), Cowal Highland Gathering (Dunoon), Harmonica Festival (Casigno, Italy), SPAH Annual Harmonica Convention  (Kansas City, USA), British National Harmonica League Convention (Bristol, England).

Donald has, over the years, also received wide acclaim for his recordings, enjoyed extensive radio play both at home and abroad, made several TV appearances in Scotland as well as Russia, Lithuania and Germany, and provided soundtrack for BBC Scotland Gaelic TV documentaries.  His work has been recognised in Christoph Wagner’s book “Die Mundharmonica”, “The Encyclopaedia of the Harmonica” by Peter Krampert and, more recently, in “Harmonica for Dummies” by Winslow Yerxa.

Recently, he collaborated with the world-famous German harmonica manufacturer Hohner to produce the “Highlander” tremolo harmonica.

In 2009 Donald Black’s concert performances will comprise of two broad alternatives:

1. Donald Black Band – Here Donald will be joined on stage by Donnie MacKenzie or Alec Dalglish (from the very popular ceilidh band Skerryvore) on guitar, and Deirdre Graham or Megan Henderson on keyboard.
2. Donald Black & Malcolm Jones – This is a duo setting where Malcolm (multi-instrumentalist from the highly acclaimed Celtic rock band Runrig) joins Donald on accordion and guitars.

 

 

Donald Black Band Tech Specs and Stage Plans

Donald Black & Malcolm Jones Tech Spec and Stage Plan

www.donald-black.com

 

Contact: Karin Ingram

Tel: 01450-850 262

Fax: 01450-850 602

E-mail: karin@northbeat.org