JSD Band
The JSD Band emerged in the late 1960s as innovative pioneers who helped reshape Scottish traditional music. Initially forming in Rutherglen as a trio in 1969, they quickly expanded their line-up and their musical horizons, bringing together diverse influences from Scottish tradition to contemporary folk-rock. Their breakthrough came in 1970 when they won the Scottish Folk Group Championship, earning £500 and a recording contract with Regal Zonophone. Their debut album, "Country of the Blind", opened numerous doors for the band and established their distinctive sound, which drew inspiration from an eclectic range of sources including The Dubliners, Pentangle, Fairport Convention, and The Chieftains.
From there they were invited to London to play the legendary Marquee Club. John Peel was in the audience and subsequently became one of there biggest supporters, even writing the sleeve notes for their second and third albums. Another major celebrity contributor was David Bowie, who invited the band to join him on his Ziggy Stardust tour in 1972 where the band gained a wider following and enjoyed a fruitful period playing the vibrant University circuit across the UK. About this time the band also played across Europe, performing in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
In 1973 they toured in the USA, playing New York, Washington, Boston, Cleveland, Providence Road Island and Colorado. The band's core line-up featured Jim Divers, Seàn O'Rourke, Des Coffield, and Colin Finn, with Chuck Fleming and Lindsay Scott taking turns as the band's fiddler at different points. Each member brought their own musical influences and expertise, creating a rich blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. Their music demonstrated that Scottish traditional songs could be successfully married with modern instruments and arrangements while maintaining their essential character.
Throughout their active years, the JSD Band performed extensively, helping to popularise traditional music among younger audiences who might not have otherwise encountered it. Their final album, "Pastures of Plenty", recorded in 1998 with the addition of Rob Mairs, showed their enduring commitment to musical innovation. The band's legacy lives on in their recordings and in the paths they helped forge for future generations of Scottish musicians. Sadly, the band has recently lost two members - Des Coffield in 2023 and Lindsay Scott (grandson of traditional Border singer Willie Scott) in early 2024.
The band are delighted to come back together again with the help of two new members, Nicola Coffield (the daughter of Des Coffield) and the fine guitarist and vocalist Kenny Robertson to celebrate Rutherglen 900 with a concert in the Town Hall.
The band will appear along with support from Raging Twilight.