Trad Music Trust presents the 4th annual SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival, featuring the very best in UK and International bluegrass/Americana acts. The 2025 lineup includes Eilidh Patterson from Northern Ireland and Hildaland from Orkney, with many more still to be announced.

Welcome to the 4th annual Autumn Trad Festival LIVE at The Vault Arts Centre in Newton Stewart over 24th and 25th October 2025; celebrating and showcasing young people in traditional music. Concerts, workshops and the best of tunes and songs!

Catriona Bourne is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist who has performed at venues and events including London Jazz Festival, Wilderness Festival, Sinfonia Smith Square, Kings Place and Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music. Book early to avoid disappointment! She has experimented with flute and live electronics, recently performing a solo set of her own arrangements and improvisations in the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall. Although she studied classical harp throughout school, Catriona is most excited by the opportunities to improvise and compose for the harp. She has always had an interest in folk, and combines this with her love of jazz through her original compositions. In 2024 she released her debut album, Triquetra, in her quartet featuring Francis Tulip, Joe Bainbridge and James Owston, and commenced an 8-date album release tour supported by the UK Harp Association. The album is an impulsive dive into experimental jazz-infused folk that draws off Catriona’s Scottish heritage, exploring nostalgia for a lost past. Catriona has worked as a session musician with a number of artists including world-jazz singer Lea Mondo, jazz fusion keys player Tsz Ching Kylie and singer-songwriter Grace Angelica, performing at venues including the Jazz Cafe, Ninety One Living Room and Crazy Coqs. Having honed her academic knowledge of music through study at Oxford and Cambridge Universities and developed her improvisation skills in postgraduate study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and with Tomorrow’s Warriors Jazz Strings programme, she is currently based in London. ‘Haunting Gaelic-blues… Musical fusion that is truly compelling to the ears’ (Morning Star) ‘A genuinely sublime and wholly unique perspective… There’s something about Catriona’s music that lends itself to the joy of earnest exploration’ (Blue-in-Green: Radio) 'Catriona Bourne is as much a jazz musician as any contemporary horn player' (Bebop Spoken Here) 'I have to say I am going to be doing a deep dive into more of her music as this is just beautiful' (Rebecca Vasmant, BBC R3 Round Midnight) 'A stunning album... Just when you think you have it pinned down, it slips from your grasp and finds another definition' (Fatea Magazine) ‘I don’t know if Catriona Bourne would call herself a genius, but I will… What Bourne creates transcends categories’ (Indie Boulevard Magazine)

Evoking the glory of an early 80s garage band Oath is a reverb drenched haze of twisting riffs and serpentine solos. Lose yourself with Oath. Conceived in 2018 by Steve Waddell as a solo project, taking inspiration from the Diy ethic of bands like Fetid Zombie and Darkthrone combined with the melodic feel of bands like Praying Mantis and Angelwitch with a touch of prog for good measure. The band is a power trio come from the central belt and have been stirring up a storm across Scotland. Supporting Oath are Firth, an Alternative/Grunge three piece that have been hitting South West Scotland and North West England by storm and have played at the likes of The Long Arm Weekender in Glasgow to great acclaim. The boys played The Vault last year and were well received!

Medusa Touch were originally formed in 1983 in Edinburgh, reformed in 2019, described as unapologetically old school heavy metal. If you love the great NWOBHM bands from the 80s days then you will enjoy what the boys have to offer. Good old Fist-Pumping, Sing-along Headbangers that will always leave you in a great mood. Supporting Medusa Touch are The Uzis from Dumfries. The Uzis as they bring their unique blend of rock/punk covers to the stage. It's a combination that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping and leave you wanting more. Covers that you have never heard before from the 1980s and 90s! So mark your calendars and come join us at The Vault Arts Centre for a night of pure musical awesomeness!

Leah Chynoweth-Tidy is an Australian-born, multi-award nominated singer-songwriter currently based in her fathers native Scotland. She created musical project Kissing The Flint (translation: creating a spark) in 2015 to cut through the fakery of the modern world. Authenticity and emotion run through her songwriting, story-telling and live performance, connecting and empowering a global audience. Song themes flow from an adventurous spirit with crystal clarity of message and vivid imagery drawn from experience, empathy, and imagination. Solo or fronting her band, this soft-to-sass artist moves easily from roots beauty to rock raunch in explorations of the human condition, a genuine desire to empower others and a lifelong affinity with the natural world. After honing live performance chops in cover bands from 2012, Leah began focusing intensively on her original songwriting in 2015. Participation in Queensland Music Festivals Songs That Made Me female artist mentorship program in 2017 formed the framework for her 2019 debut Kissing The Flint EP Unconditionality. The title track is a clarion call-to-arms to own true self and never compromise for others. Sassy Kissing The Flint live performances in Australia have included the Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival alongside stellar artists Tex Perkins (Leahs 2017 RocKwiz National Tour team captain), Hat Fitz & Cara, Hussy Hicks, Olivia Ruth and The Hillbilly Goats. Leahs creative mentors include acclaimed Australian artists Katie Noonan, Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch, Tania Doko (Bachelor Girl), Francesca de Valence, Roz Pappalardo (Women In Docs) and Sam Buckingham. Since relocating to the UK in 2020, Kissing The Flint have wowed brand-new audiences at venues, events and Festivals around the UK and received global radio and digital airplay. Three international singles 100 or Less, Dune Girl and Gunslinger Love have been released from Leahs sophomore Kissing The Flint album Standing On The Fringe of Rooms which is due for release in 2024. A swathe of UK live performances has included Scotland on Tour, Parkfest, Middlewich Boat & Folk Fesetival, Lodge Arts Collective and the Kirkcudbright Arts Trail and Kirkcudbright Steampunk Festival. Kissing The Flint return to Australia in 2024 for their first tour in over 3 years, including a main stage Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival performance slot alongside headliners Vika & Linda in February. A further album has almost been completed in the UK with live gigs and touring also planned for the UK and Europe later in 2024. As Kissing The Flint, Leah remains passionate in her exploration and growth as a global artist, meeting the challenges of unprecedented times in history head-on. Her multi-genre songwriting has already earned an Australian Celtic Song of the Year nomination, Australian Songwriting Association Inc (ASAI) Indie-Rock Top 10, Voyager International Song Competition finals spot and a highly commended in her first year of entering the UK Songwriting Competition. Journeying from soft to sassy, this multi-talented artist continues to seeks genuine connections with audiences around themes that speak to the soul but also get dance-floor feet tapping. Wherever you find Leah in the world, shell be kissing the flint on stage, penning new songs, immersed in nature or inspiring others with her authentic, relatable song stories and a deep passion for creating enduring, empowering connections. Enthralling sound, evocative lyrics and commanding vocals.(Jyla Blog) Hailing from Queensland, Australia, but now based in Scotland, Kissing The Flint curbs her love for steampunk and rockabilly into feisty, genre-diverse music. Numerous rave reviews, energetic live shows and multi-award nominations prove she is one not be ignored.(Nicole Mendes, The Other Side Reviews) Citing Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde and Stevie Nicks among her influences, Kissing The Flint is on a mission to resurrect female rocknroll, one banger at a time.(Marilu Ciabattoni, Lost In the Manor) "Kissing The Flint (aka Leah Jett) is an artist adept at crafting immersive tales that delve deep into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Drawing inspiration from powerful, resilient feminine narratives, Leahs music creates a tableau of intense passion, formidable power dynamics, and raw emotions. Her songwriting skilfully oscillates between strength and vulnerability, presenting listeners with evocative scenarios that both entertain and resonate. With every track, Leah challenges you to not just hear, but feel, question, and introspect, making her one of the most compelling artists in the contemporary music scene. (Testing Melodies)

Over 16th-18th May 2025 you are invited to join some of the very best in UK & International bluegrass/Americana/old-time musicians at The Vault Arts Centre, Newton Stewart, for the 4th annual SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival; a weekend feast of concerts, workshops and sessions that will have your feet tapping and your heart singing! Hildaland (www.hildaland.com [https://www.hildaland.com]) Orkney (Scotland) born fiddler Louise Bichan and Indiana (USA) mandolinist Ethan Setiawan present a collaboration and meeting of their musical worlds. A path steeped in the fiddle traditions of their respective sides of the Atlantic, the journey taken wends through Scottish, oldtime, and Swedish inspired music intertwined with contemporary compositions. Bichans fiddle is a melodic foil to Setiawans counterpoint and harmonic depth, and the two weave in and out seamlessly. Charlotte Carrivick (www.charlottecarrivick.co.uk [https://www.charlottecarrivick.co.uk]) One of the UKs most sought after bluegrass and old time musicians, Charlotte Carrivick is an experienced and award winning musician and teacher. Charlotte is a multi instrumentalist, composer, singer and songwriter based in South West England. She has received particular recognition as one of the leading flatpicking guitarists in the UK, to the extent that she was invited to teach at the prestigious 2024 Bryan Sutton's Blue Ridge Guitar Camp in North Carolina. As one half of the The Carrivick Sisters, Charlotte grew up with a love of American Bluegrass and Old Time music alongside her twin sister, Laura, in South Devon. After many years of playing and writing together as well as touring across the UK, Europe and Canada, the duo released their 5th studio album at the end of 2022 to critical acclaim. Charlotte was a founding member of all female bluegrass group, Midnight Skyracer, with whom she toured the UK, Europe and Australia. The band was the first bluegrass band to be signed to Island Records (2020), under which they released their second album, and was nominated for an IBMA Momentum Award (2018). Charlotte also plays in a duo with fiddle player, Kieran Towers and was a member of Cardboard Fox. Charlotte is available for session work and recording as well as undertaking transcription work. formidable multi-instrumental skills ~ Q Magazine she plays a pretty damn mean banjo and mandolin ~ Maverick Magazine Charlottes guitar playing is simply breathtaking ~Americana UK Adam Thom(www.facebook.com/adamthommusic [https://www.facebook.com/adamthommusic]) Adam Thom is a 23 year old singer-songwriter, originating from Aberdeen. Since making the move to Glasgow in July of 2021 he has been making his mark on the music scene, working alongside some of the finest musicians the city has to offer. With influences such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and The Band, Adam is keeping country and Americana music alive through his songs. His intricate story driven lyrics make Adam sound well beyond his years, as he takes the audience on a journey through his skilled songwriting. With sold out headline shows under his belt in Glasgow's famous Blue Arrow Jazz Club, The Glad Cafe and Aberdeen's Music Hall, Adam is firmly planting his feet in the Scottish music scene and has proved himself to be one to watch. Eilidh Patterson (www.eilidhpatterson.com [https://www.eilidhpatterson.com]) Eilidh (pronounced EYElee) is a warm, engaging singer songwriter of startling clarity. With songs that cut straight to the heart, delightfully accurate guitar playing, and crystal clear vocals, Eilidh immediately connects with audiences everywhere. Having released 5 studio albums and an EP to date, Eilidh (from Derry, N. Ireland) is a hard-working independent artist who is driven by her desire to connect with people. This desire has seen her perform regularly across Northern Ireland and at festivals such as SxSW in Austin TX (3 times), Folk Alliance in Memphis TN, and Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Scotland. Over the years she has worked with established artists in the folk scene both in the studio and on stage, most notably with Beth Nielsen Chapman. Regularly appearing on TV and radio, Eilidh has taken part in many live broadcasts and programmes for BBC NI and her music is played on radio stations across the UK and Ireland. The Niche Family (www.facebook.com/thenichefamily [https://www.facebook.com/thenichefamily]) The Niche Family, a Glasgow-based folk ensemble, invites you on a harmonious journey through the rich tapestry of Americana and folk music. United by blood harmonies and a shared passion for storytelling, this remarkable trio effortlessly blends tradition with modernity, creating a sound that resonates deep within the soul. Lead vocalists Lauren Thompson and the Neil brothers, Stuart and Andrew, discovered their enchanting blood harmonies almost serendipitously during a jam session post Lauren and Stuart's wedding. Rooted in Glasgow, the Neil Brothers' musical camaraderie, honed over years of collaboration, seamlessly intertwines with the Canadian influence brought in by Lauren. The addition of Aberdonian folk-singer and banjo player, Adam Thom, results in a sound that offers a fresh take on traditional folk music. The Niche Family burst onto the live music scene with an unexpected debut at Eden Festival's Main Stage, where they stepped in at the last minute for a cooking tutorial with the late rapper Coolio. This impromptu performance marked the beginning of their journey, and subsequent gigs, including a memorable appearance at Belladrum Festival, showcased their ability to captivate diverse audiences. In a testament to the band's magnetic live presence, The Niche Family achieved a remarkable feat by selling out their first-ever headline show at Glasgow's Glad Cafe before releasing any recorded music. This early success reflects the genuine connection they establish with their audience, captivating listeners with each harmonious note. The band's debut single, "Mercy Me," released via Holy Smokes Records, has garnered critical acclaim. The track's compelling narrative and enchanting harmonies caught the attention of BBC Radio Scotland, earning it the prestigious title of Single of the Week. This early recognition solidified The Niche Family's place in the folk and Americana music landscape. The band went on to release their self titled debut EP in 2024 accompanied by a sold out show at the Rumshack in Glasgow's Southside. Americana UK gave the Ep a great review "The closing number Mercy Me, which had previously been released as a stand-alone single is a wonderfully atmospheric track that perfectly captures the trios vocal strengths." A weekend pass gives you access to the Friday & Saturday night concerts and all workshops throughout the weekend.

SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival continues on Saturday 17th May 2025 with an outstanding line-up featuring artists from Scotland & Ireland. The Niche Family (www.facebook.com/thenichefamily [https://www.facebook.com/thenichefamily]) The Niche Family, a Glasgow-based folk ensemble, invites you on a harmonious journey through the rich tapestry of Americana and folk music. United by blood harmonies and a shared passion for storytelling, this remarkable trio effortlessly blends tradition with modernity, creating a sound that resonates deep within the soul. Lead vocalists Lauren Thompson and the Neil brothers, Stuart and Andrew, discovered their enchanting blood harmonies almost serendipitously during a jam session post Lauren and Stuart's wedding. Rooted in Glasgow, the Neil Brothers' musical camaraderie, honed over years of collaboration, seamlessly intertwines with the Canadian influence brought in by Lauren. The addition of Aberdonian folk-singer and banjo player, Adam Thom, results in a sound that offers a fresh take on traditional folk music. The Niche Family burst onto the live music scene with an unexpected debut at Eden Festival's Main Stage, where they stepped in at the last minute for a cooking tutorial with the late rapper Coolio. This impromptu performance marked the beginning of their journey, and subsequent gigs, including a memorable appearance at Belladrum Festival, showcased their ability to captivate diverse audiences.In a testament to the band's magnetic live presence, The Niche Family achieved a remarkable feat by selling out their first-ever headline show at Glasgow's Glad Cafe before releasing any recorded music. This early success reflects the genuine connection they establish with their audience, captivating listeners with each harmonious note. The band's debut single, "Mercy Me," released via Holy Smokes Records, has garnered critical acclaim. The track's compelling narrative and enchanting harmonies caught the attention of BBC Radio Scotland, earning it the prestigious title of Single of the Week. This early recognition solidified The Niche Family's place in the folk and Americana music landscape. The band went on to release their self titled debut EP in 2024 accompanied by a sold out show at the Rumshack in Glasgow's Southside. Americana UK gave the Ep a great review "The closing number Mercy Me, which had previously been released as a stand-alone single is a wonderfully atmospheric track that perfectly captures the trios vocal strengths." Adam Thom (www.facebook.com/adamthommusic [https://www.facebook.com/adamthommusic]) Adam Thom is a 23 year old singer-songwriter, originating from Aberdeen. Since making the move to Glasgow in July of 2021 he has been making his mark on the music scene, working alongside some of the finest musicians the city has to offer. With influences such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and The Band, Adam is keeping country and Americana music alive through his songs. His intricate story driven lyrics make Adam sound well beyond his years, as he takes the audience on a journey through his skilled songwriting. With sold out headline shows under his belt in Glasgow's famous Blue Arrow Jazz Club, The Glad Cafe and Aberdeen's Music Hall, Adam is firmly planting his feet in the Scottish music scene and has proved himself to be one to watch. Eilidh Patterson (www.eilidhpatterson.com [https://www.eilidhpatterson.com]) Eilidh (pronounced EYElee) is a warm, engaging singer songwriter of startling clarity. With songs that cut straight to the heart, delightfully accurate guitar playing, and crystal clear vocals, Eilidh immediately connects with audiences everywhere. Having released 5 studio albums and an EP to date, Eilidh (from Derry, N. Ireland) is a hard-working independent artist who is driven by her desire to connect with people. This desire has seen her perform regularly across Northern Ireland and at festivals such as SxSW in Austin TX (3 times), Folk Alliance in Memphis TN, and Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Scotland. Over the years she has worked with established artists in the folk scene both in the studio and on stage, most notably with Beth Nielsen Chapman. Regularly appearing on TV and radio, Eilidh has taken part in many live broadcasts and programmes for BBC NI and her music is played on radio stations across the UK and Ireland.

We have an outstanding opening night for you for this year's SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival featuring artists from England, Scotland and Canada! Hildaland Orkney (Scotland) born fiddler Louise Bichan and Indiana (USA) mandolinist Ethan Setiawan present a collaboration and meeting of their musical worlds. A path steeped in the fiddle traditions of their respective sides of the Atlantic, the journey taken wends through Scottish, oldtime, and Swedish inspired music intertwined with contemporary compositions. Bichans fiddle is a melodic foil to Setiawans counterpoint and harmonic depth, and the two weave in and out seamlessly. Official website:www.hildaland.com [//www.hildaland.com] Charlotte Carrivick One of the UKs most sought after bluegrass and old time musicians, Charlotte Carrivick is an experienced and award winning musician and teacher.Charlotte is a multi instrumentalist, composer, singer and songwriter based in South West England. She has received particular recognition as one of the leading flatpicking guitarists in the UK, to the extent that she was invited to teach at the prestigious 2024 Bryan Sutton's Blue Ridge Guitar Camp in North Carolina.As one half of the The Carrivick Sisters, Charlotte grew up with a love of American Bluegrass and Old Time music alongside her twin sister, Laura, in South Devon. After many years of playing and writing together as well as touring across the UK, Europe and Canada, the duo released their 5th studio album at the end of 2022 to critical acclaim. Charlotte was a founding member of all female bluegrass group, Midnight Skyracer, with whom she toured the UK, Europe and Australia. The band was the first bluegrass band to be signed to Island Records (2020), under which they released their second album, and was nominated for an IBMA Momentum Award (2018). Charlotte also plays in a duo with fiddle player, Kieran Towers and was a member of Cardboard Fox. Charlotte is available for session work and recording as well as undertaking transcription work. formidable multi-instrumental skills ~ Q Magazine she plays a pretty damn mean banjo and mandolin ~ Maverick Magazine Charlottes guitar playing is simply breathtaking ~ Americana UK Official website: www.charlottecarrivick.co.uk [//www.charlottecarrivick.co.uk]

The Penkiln Burn Players will be performing the album Voices From The Galloverse live in Galloway on Night of the Galloverse (11th of May). The Penkiln Burn Players will include Tam Dean Burn, Angie Darcy, Leo Condie, Suzanne Bonnar, Josie Duncan and be presented by Bill Drummond. The Penkiln Burn Players will be performing the album live in Galloway at the following two venues at the following two dates. In at CatStrand New Galloway at 7:30pm on Gallows Eve (10th of May) And... The Vault, Newton Stewart at 3pm on Night of the Galloverse (11th of May). The Penkiln Burn Players will include Tam Dean Burn, Angie Darcy, Leo Condie, Suzanne Bonnar, Josie Duncan and be presented by Bill Drummond. The album was released only in the form of a vinyl long-playing record in an edition of 1,000 copies sometime in 2024. This album was only available for sale at Hear Hard incidents, where no more than forty people were required to listen collectively to the album as intensely as they had ever attempted to listen to an album in their lives. And only then consider purchasing a copy of the album there and then, for the sum of fifteen quid. These Hear Hard incidents happened at various locations in Glasgow, Edinburgh and in difficult locations in the southeast of England. There may have alsobeen some feral sessions scattered around the globe, but nothing is certain about those and them. Thus... This album was, and is, not available to be heard on any of the streaming platforms that you might visit when you want to hear whatever it is you want to hear at any time day or night. The Penkiln Burn Players like to make things hard. That said... One of the Psalms on the album called Pictures on My Wall can be heard here www.penkilnburn.com/home/a-picture-on-my-wall and scroll down to the bottom of a page and click on the word FROM. The live performances of the Psalms contained on VOICES FROM THE GALLOVERSE by The Penkiln Burn Players, in both New Galloway & Newton Stewart on the 10th and 11th of May 2025, will begin with a Hear Hard incident. This will then be followed by the live performance by those that recorded the album and those in the audience who will now have become the Congregation. If there are any copies of the album remaining, they will be sold to those that have fifteen quid that they are willing to part with. Warning: Don’t attempt to listen to Voices From The Gallopers if you want to be entertained.

The Mind Sweepers are a 5-piece band from Dumfries playing original indie/psych music and have been playing regularly in Dumfries and Galloway, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Carlisle and Manchester, as well as regular festival gigs at Eden, Solfest, Doonhame Festival and The Big Burns Supper. In 2018 they released their debut album 'States of Mind' on Manchester based German Shepherd Records, this was well received and had a lot of radio play across the UK, Europe, Australia and The United States. Their latest album 'All This Too Shall Pass' was released on 5th April 2024 on Head Space Records. The Mind Sweepers have recently featured in a TV documentary about the band on The Scottish Channel. Support is from Quiet, the Art, a duo from Edinburgh, Scotland, who are back for a second performance after a great night in March. They create an exciting take on post-rock and shoegaze that the Heard not Herd blog has described as 'impossible to pigeonhole'.

Charlotte Carrivick is one of the UK's most respected flatpicking guitarists and teachers, having been invited to teach at Bryan Suttons Blue Ridge Guitar Camp last year. Charlotte loves digging deep into old time fiddle tunes, particularly those that havent yet made it into the bluegrass repertoire (but really should!), and exploring different ways to play them on the guitar. In this workshop, Charlotte will show some of the basics of bluegrass rhythm playing, teach a fun tune and show some ways that you can play around with it, leading you to becoming a better improvising guitarist.

Unstoppable force, Wailing Banshee, are on a mission! With thunderous drums and screaming guitars, the band spearhead a British metal rebellion, combining old-school sounds with fierce female power and an infectious energy! Wailing Banshee. This young 5 piece herald from Manchester and have been stirring up a storm up an down the country! Here is a wee clip of what you will hear Fight To Be Free | WAILING BANSHEE | Official Music Video Supporting Wailing Banshee are the rock and blue maestros - Barstool Rebels!Grab that melting pot Tip in a bucketful of rock, ten scoops of roll, pour in a big bottle of blues, a glass of boogie, a jigger of southern, a pinch of country, a big measure of crunch, a slug of punk, five shots of fun & a barrel of good time!From Newton Stewart, and risen from the smouldering ashes of loud, blues power rockers The Dynamite Kings, it's rock and roll soul savers - Barstool Rebels! Barstool Rebels are:-Jono Hudson - rhythm guitar, lead vocalsKenny Sneddon - lead & slide guitar, backing vocals Paul Sutherland - bass guitar, backing vocals Euan Alexander - drums, backing vocals

The Allan McKeown trio is a hammond organ based group playing the classic blues infused soul-jazz of the 50s and 60s. They have a broad repertoire of material from jazz standards and hard bop groovers to funky RnB and soul classics. Featuring Allan McKeown on guitar, Huw Rees on Hammond Organ and Greg Irons on Drums. Part of the 2nd annual Jazz, Funk, Soul Festival - 27th-29th June 2025.

The low whistle is a simple instrument that in the hands of Fraser Fifield can deliver infinite, deeply felt personal expression. Most often associated with Scottish and Irish traditional music, in Secret Path Trio the low whistle assumes the role of lead instrument voicing bold, fearlessly searching melodies in the company of two of Scotlands most adventurous and experienced musicians, Paul Harrison (Wurlitzer piano) and Tom Bancroft (drums). Fraser Fifield has enjoyed a 30-year career at the forefront of the Scottish folk and traditional music scene as a member of various bands (Old Blind Dogs, Salsa Celtica, Hidden Orchestra), as a session player for many others, (Capercaillie, Karen Matheson, Donnie Munro, Afro Celts) and as leader of his own groups. He has produced 11 studio recordings between 2001 and 2024, all featuring his original writing style and performance on low whistle, bagpipes and saxophone. Folk Radio wrote, to call a musicians work unique is a bold statement. However, if any musicians come close, then Fraser Fifield would be among them". Growing up in North East Scotland, Fifield studied Highland bagpiping with local instructors who imparted a lasting love and fascination for that music and its lore. Balancing tradition with an explorative attitude more associated with jazz musicians has been a feature of Fifields music since the early 1990s. Nominated as instrumentalist of year, composer of the year and a recipient of an Ignition award for innovation in traditional music, Fifields virtuosic low whistle playing, in particular, has pushed the apparent limits of this simple instrument leading to fascinating international meetings with Sabir Khan (sarangi - Mumbai), Walther Castro (bandoneon- Buenos Aries), Balkanopolis (Belgrade), Zakir Hussain (Distant Kin project), Knut Reiersrud/Ale Moller (Scandinavia Celtic Roots project) and others. Fraser is currently Traditional Artist in Residence at the School of Scottish Studies, Edinburgh University. Secret Path Trio, with top Scottish jazz players, Paul Harrison and Tom Bancroft, was born from the album recording of the same name which was released in June 23. You could reasonably enough claim that what whistler Fraser Fifield, keyboardist Paul Harrison and drummer Tom Bancroft have combined to deliver on Secret Path is unique. (www.marlbank.net) Rarely has the low whistle sounded as thrilling. (Songlines) Official website: www.fraserfifield.com [https://www.fraserfifield.com]