|
 After
three weeks of the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections
in Glasgow, as the festival draws to a close, this year's
Danny Kyle Award Winners have been announced.
Feolta – Glasgow-based
traditional Scottish/Irish four-piece band. All of the musicians
grew up through the Comhaltas (Ceoltas) movement and met
up at various festivals held within the UK and Ireland over
the years. With this particular band line-up forming especially
for this year’s Open Stage, they are a dynamic group
of multi-instrumentalists whose instruments include the
bodhran, accordion, fiddle, whistle, bouzouki, flute as
well as vocals.
John Langan (pictured) –
contemporary singer-songwriter from Ayrshire. For the past
ten years John has been travelling around the UK and Europe
busking and playing gigs, picking up different musical styles
and influences on his travels. For the past three years,
he has played mainly in Scotland, as well as appearances
at various UK festivals, including The Wickerman, Knockengorroch,
Glastonbury and Sunrise. His eclectic style is rooted in
traditional Celtic music. He performs solo and with a band,
and sometimes as his own one-man band.
Neil Ewart
and Suzanne Houston – Glasgow-based fiddle/piano duo.
Neil and Suzanne started playing at an early age and met
on The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music
in Plockton during high school. They had the chance to build
up a large repertoire whilst rehearsing and performing with
various groups of musicians. They also performed at the
Trad Music Awards in 2005 and at Fiddle Fest 2005, as well
as touring together internationally.
Maggie Adamson – Shetland
fiddler. At only 15 years old, Maggie is currently Shetland’s
Young Musician of the Year, and also holds two All Scotland
Junior Fiddle titles. For the last 18 months Maggie has
played regularly as a duo with Brian Nicholson accompanying
on guitar. Brian is one of Shetland’s foremost guitarists.
Debra Salem – Perth-based
Jazz singer with band. Having originally trained as a jazz
musician, Debra has been increasingly drawn to the folk
scene and has been developing her work with a pool of musicians
drawn from jazz and folk backgrounds, exploring a distinctive
crossover style combining elements of both genres. In recent
years she has continued her vocal training with artists
such as Sheila Jordan, Liane Carroll and Sophie Bancroft.
She also recently toured with Dougie MacLean singing backing
vocals on both his ‘Rural Image’ tours. Her
band includes Kenny Irons (bass), Sandy Lindsay (accordion)
and Gary Edby (percussion, pipes, whistles).
Bethan Nia – Welsh Celtic harpist.
The combination of Bethan’s haunting voice and dynamic
harp creates an enchanting soundscape that takes the listener
on an evocative journey that transcends words. This year
has seen Bethan perform at many festivals including Glastonbury.
She has featured on Welsh Radio and TV, and on her recent
mini album Rhwng Tir a Mor (Between Land and Sea) she collaborates
with some of the best folk musicians of Wales - Dylan Fowler,
Stacey Blythe and Oli Wilson-Dickson.
Congratulations to all the winners, and
of course - commiserations to those who didn't make the
cut, not least The Garden Sessions own Frank Burkitt - who
will surely return next year to claim the prize. |
