Iain Anderson and Gemma
Donald
Iain Anderson
Iain's musical exploits have taken him from
around his home in Edinburgh to around the world. Widely recognised as one of
Scotland’s top fiddlers, his playing has earned him appearances at many
international events including a concert for the Queen at London’s Royal
Albert Hall. Throughout his career, Iain has enjoyed working with some great
Scottish musicians both on and off stage, including KT Tunstall, Aly Bain, Phil
Cunningham, Violet Tulloch, Mick MacNeil (Simple Minds), Calvin Volrath and
Bryan Gear. Iain’s debut album, ‘Silver Strings’, was released in late 2006 as
the BBC Radio nan Gaidheal album of the week, a success which has twice
led to live performances on ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’ with the BBC Concert
Orchestra on BBC Radio 2. Iain plays with the popular folk group, 'Cairdeas',
and works freelance, playing concerts and ceilidhs and recording with many
different musicians at a variety of UK and worldwide events.
Gemma
Donald
In October 2007 Gemma Donald, the 2006 Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship winner,
was tipped by The Herald to be "the
next Shetlander to make a major impression on the wider scene".
Now, her increasing popularity coupled with a natural Shetland verve would
suggest she is on course to do just that. Originally from Whiteness in
Shetland and now living in Edinburgh, Gemma's playing draws on Scottish,
Irish, Country, Bluegrass, Western Swing and Jazz influences. "Gemma
Donald plays bluegrass fiddle as if she was born in the Appalachians"
enthused The Guardian in June 2006.
2008 has been Gemma's busiest year to date with a number of UK-wide tours and
performances in Greece, Spain, Canada, Switzerland and Nigeria. Further tours
of Texas, Switzerland and Greece are planned throughout 2009. A versatile
multi-instrumentalist, Gemma has many more strings to her bow than fiddle
playing alone; she is an accomplished pianist, most recently lending her hands
to the latest album by Scottish folk band, 'Cairdeas'. It may come as no
surprise to learn that Gemma is also an experienced fiddle tutor and during
the Summer of 2008 she was enlisted by the Celtic College in Goderich, Canada,
as an instructor.
Iain and Gemma are available to play for every conceivable kind of Scottish
event anywhere in the world either as a trio or as part of a larger band. To
book them, contact Northbeat.
www.myspace.com/iainanderson1979
Contact: Jacky Cooper
Tel: 01855-811 280
Mobile: 07894-941 981
E-mail: jacky@northbeat.org
NORTHBEAT ♪♫