Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham

Sunday 21 September, 20:00

Gardner Memorial Church

Tickets (see bottom of page)

'They are simply the best traditional musicians you are ever likely to hear'

The Glasgow Herald
 

Aly Bain MBE is Scotland’s supreme traditional-style fiddler. His playing is unique - driving, impassioned and pure - with a vibrant, unmistakable tone that has earned him a following of ardent fans throughout the world. Born in Lerwick in 1946, he headed to mainland Scotland in his early twenties where his playing brought early recognition as an outstanding musician of the folk-music revival and almost overnight raised the level of expectation for music lovers throughout the country.

Aly embarked on a life of intensive playing, recording and travel that continues to this day. He helped to establish the folk band Boys of the Lough with whom he toured extensively and recorded for many years. Simultaneously he pursued a solo career in collaborative and television projects.

Although his musical base is in Scotland, Aly's extensive travels have led to an appreciation and mastery of many kinds of music. He has applied this knowledge to the production of several networked television series, bringing traditional music to a constantly widening audience.

Aly has received many honours for his services to music, including four doctorates and an MBE, plus numerous honorary citizenships in the USA. He continues to be an ambassador for Scotland abroad and a powerful advocate for traditional music.

Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative accordion players of the times, Phil Cunningham MBE has taken this instrument from strength to strength, setting the standards by which many young players fix their sights today. His early work with leading Scots band Silly Wizard (1976-1986) reclaimed a place for the accordion in the traditional music world and his astonishing dexterity and musicality have delighted audiences across the globe.

A multi-instrumentalist, Phil works extensively in television and film as a presenter, musical director and composer. His compositions are internationally acclaimed and range from exquisite slow airs to suites for symphony orchestra and Celtic instruments. His most recent suite ‘Ceilidh’ was written for and performed by acclaimed percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Phil teaches regularly and is currently working to establish a traditional youth orchestra in the Highlands of Scotland. He is also much sought after as a record producer and manages to juggle all of these diverse commitments alongside touring and recording with long-time musical partner and friend Aly Bain.

Phil was awarded the MBE in 2002 for services to Scottish Music, and in 2003 voted Best Instrumentalist in the inaugural Scottish Traditional Music Awards. In 2005 Aly and Phil were awarded Best Duo in the annual BBC Folk Awards.

Visit Aly and Phil's homepage here

BAF 2008 is extremely grateful to the anonymous donor whose outstanding generosity made this event possible

Tickets £15/Early-bird (before 1 June) £14/Under 16s £2

Folk & traditional Weekend 3-Concert Tickets (Frank McLaughlin and Stewart Hardy + Brian McNeill; Cherish The Ladies supported by Skelpaig; Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham) £35