2006 Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival

Visiting Artists to the 2006 Festival

Alistair McCulloch & Morag MacKaskill (Fiddle & Piano)

Three times former National Fiddle Champion he is one of the busiest and best known fiddlers in Scotland and is in demand as a performer, teacher, adjudicator and composer. He has made many visits to Shetland both as a soloist and a band member. This year he will be accompanied on piano by the equally well known Morag Mackaskill.

Annlaug Børsheim & Linda Gytri (Fiddle & Accordion)

From western Norway these two young musicians play a mix of traditional tunes as well as their own compositions. Annlaug plays fiddle and Linda piano accordion. They played recently at the Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Club and have also appeared several times at the Shetland Folk Festival, the Johnsmas Foy etc.

David Cunningham Scottish Dance Band

It is several years since David and the band attended a festival. The band have been together for some 15 years and have travelled throughout Britain, Ireland and Europe and have made many TV and radio broadcasts. We look forward to hearing their tight sound in Shetland again this year.

Duncan Hutchison Trio

Duncan played accordion with KODA under the direction of Keith Dickson for 6 years. He prefers traditional Scottish Dance Band Music and achievements to date include 1st in the 16years and over traditional section at the UK championships twice, 2nd at the Musselburgh Festival in the band competition. Duncan is accompanied this year by brothers Gary and Allan Sutherland.

Fiona Driver (Fiddle)

Well known fiddle player from Orkney, it is a few years since Fiona played at the Shetland Festival. This time she will be accompanied by her brother Pete also on fiddle. Fiona and Pete were a great hit at the recent "Feast of Orkney Song and Music" event staged at Woodwick House in Evie.

Fionn McArthur (Fiddle)

Well known fiddle player from Orkney Fionn will be attending his first Shetland Festival. He is probably better known in Shetland as a presenter on BBC Radio Orkney. We look forward to welcoming him to our festival and to hear him play.

Give Way

Making their second trip to Shetland the now famous Johnson sisters, Fiona (fiddle, guitar, vocals) Kirsty (piano accordion, two row button box, lead vocals) Mairi (keyboards, piano, vocals) and Amy(drum kit, percussion, vocals). They play a heady mixture of Scottish traditional music from haunting airs to lively jigs and energetic reels. Winners of a Danny Award in 2001 and the BBC radio 2 Young Folk award.

Hackum Plackum (Fiddle Group)

This Inverness based fiddle group will be making their first appearance at a Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival. The group leader, however, is no stranger to Shetland, her parents Mr and Mrs Tom Leyton stay in Dunrossness and are regular Accordion Club supporters. Carol has also played fiddle with the Bill Black Band, most recently at Bells Brae School on Up Helly Aa night.

Ian Muir Scottish Dance Band

One of the busiest bands in Scotland, we have been trying to get Ian to the Shetland Festival for a number of years. They play for a large range of functions including weddings, ceilidhs and country dances as well as many broadcasts. The full broadcasting band is featured on the CD "A Salute to Jim Johnstone".

Manus McGuire Trio

Born and brought up in Sligo but resident in East Clare for many years. Manus has had an illustrious fiddle career to date having made 12 CDs either solo or with various bands. Manus is extremely popular in Shetland having made many visits. This year he teams up with top Scottish fiddler Marie Fielding. Marie has also visited Shetland many times both as a soloist and band member with such bands as the Jim Johnstone Band. They will be accompanied on piano by the legendary Dennis Morrison, again a well known visitor to Shetland.

Marian Anderson Scottish Dance Band

Marian and the band are no strangers to Shetland. Based in the Scottish Borders the band is well known in both the Scottish Country and Old Time dance circles. They play at dances up and down the UK as well as abroad.

Martin Donohoe & Aisling McCaffery (Two-Row Button Box & Fiddle)

We welcome back this amazing two row button box player from Cavan in Ireland. This year he is bringing with him champion fiddler Aisling McCaffery from Co Down. Aisling was a pupil of the legendary Sean McGuire. Martin is extremely busy playing all over the world so we are fortunate that he has managed to fit in Shetland this year.

Neil Galloway (Accordion)

Best known as second box player with the David Cunningham Band, Neil is a former Scottish Accordion Champion and a brilliant player in his own right. We are delighted he is able to play for us this year.

Niamh Dunne (Fiddle)

This accomplished fiddler, composer, singer and songwriter from Co. Limerick is making her first visit to Shetland. She has made several guest appearances on CD’s over the years and is a well respected classical violinist, twice receiving the high achievers award from the London Associated Board of Western Art Music, with whom she is a qualified teacher.

Orwell Ceilidh Band

The band are from the Perthshire/Fife area and play for well known ceilidh dances using accordion, drums, bagpipes, whistles and guitars creating a very distinctive sound. The band attended the festival a couple of years ago and were a great hit with the audiences.

Paul O Shaughnessy (Fiddle)

From Dublin in the east of Ireland his main interest for many years has been the fiddle music of Co. Donegal in the north west. He has played with various bands and lately with a flute player from Belfast called Harry Bradley. Although concerts are a good way to present the music Paul believes that a session with a small number of like minded musicians going on into the small hours is the best fun.

Roy Hendrie Trio

Roy will be making his first trip to Shetland for this festival. Former British Accordion Champion with broadcasts on Take the Floor as a soloist and band leader behind him he plays mainly in Ayrshire and Glasgow for Ceilidhs, Old Time and Scottish Country Dancing. He will be accompanied by John Burns and Findlay Robertson.

Roya MacLean (Accordion)

This 17 year old has been playing the accordion for 10 years. She is making her first appearance at the Shetland Festival. Roya is the current Senior Classical and senior Ladies Traditional Scottish champion. She was also a nominee at the BAFFIs for guest artiste and CD of the year with her debut CD "Out of the Shadows".

Seamus O Sullivan (Accordion)

This brilliant accordion player needs no introduction to Shetland audiences having played here regularly since 1982. He plays for Irish dancing in many countries such as the USA, Australia, Canada etc. and also regularly at Fiddle and Accordion Clubs across the UK.

Steven Carcary Scottish Dance Band

From Friockheim by Arbroath Steven has been to Shetland on a number of occasions and we welcome him back with the band. Steven is well known not only as a band leader but as an accordion tutor with a large number of pupils in the Arbroath area.

The Craigellachie Scottish Dance Band

The band is based and plays mainly in London and the South East but has also travelled extensively. This will be their second visit to Shetland. They have completed two Take the Floor broadcasts as well as several recordings. The band believes that dance music should be both good to listen and dance to and prides itself in its musical arrangements.

The Orwell Ceilidh Band

The band are from the Perthshire/Fife area and play for well known ceilidh dances using accordion, drums, bagpipes, whistles and guitars creating a very distinctive sound. The band attended the festival a couple of years ago and were a great hit with the audiences.

Tom Roche/János Lang Duo (Button Box & Fidddle)

Tom and János are members of the Hungarian – Irish fusion group Fianna. Tom, originally from Cork plays the C#/D button accordion and teaches at Aberdeen University. János, originally from Hungary has played fiddle throughout the UK and has studied Irish, Scandinavian and Balkan music. At the moment he teaches violin in Aberdeen and still tours regularly.