Folk Music from East and West Unites in Scotland

The First Tune Up tour of 2008 will see Scottish and Bulgarian musicians unite on stages throughout Scotland, in what is set to be a unique musical collaboration.

The Fraser Fifield Band – one of the most distinctive-sounding groups in Scotland today - and Bulgarian folk masters, the Nedyalko Nedyalkov Quartet, will perform individual sets and treat audiences to extensive on-stage collaborations.

Now in its fifth year, the Scottish Arts Council’s Tune Up initiative takes the highest quality music, from traditional to experimental, world music to cabaret, chamber music to pop and rock, to venues across Scotland. It’s now a significant international touring programme.

In addition to taking live music to the more remote areas of Scotland, one of Tune Up’s key aims is to facilitate artistic collaborations between Scottish and visiting international artists.

Fifield, a former member of Salsa Celtica, is known for his innovative approach to traditional music, which incorporates many facets of jazz. Indeed, his 2005 album ‘Slow Stream’ (Tanar Records) made a huge impression on the jazz and folk festival circuits of Europe.

Fraser is joined for the Tune Up tour by recent BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year nominee, guitarist Graham Stephen. Dedicated percussion riffs come from Guy Nicholson and David Robertson.

Nedyalko Nedyalkov Quartet comprises four of the most respected musicians working in Bulgaria today. Like Fifield, Nadyalkov (kaval), Georgi Petrov (gadulka), Angel Dimitrov (tamboura) and Soimenka Nedyalkova (vocals) are all great free improvisers with strong, traditional musical roots.

Often referred to as the best kaval (end-blown flute) player in the world, quartet-founder Nedyalkov has accumulated a long list of plaudits and prizes since his career began in the mid-Eighties. Currently a soloist in the famous Folk Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio, he has also toured internationally with the choir ‘Angelite’, Bulgarian-Norwegian Collective ‘Famer’s Market’ and with Bulgarian Master Musicians, ‘Grupa Maistori’.

Fifield and Nedyalkov’s ten Scottish performances will take them from Stornoway to Edinburgh and will be the Bulgarian quartet’s first Scottish appearance. The collaboration, which reflects Fifield’s longstanding interest in Bulgarian music, promises to be a spectacular event for audiences.

Ian Smith, Head of Music at the Scottish Arts Council said: “Tune Up is all about bringing a rich and diverse range of music to Scottish audiences wherever they live. This season of concerts, which features innovative new work and exciting collaborations between some of Scotland’s finest musicians and their international peers, is a great start to the new series of tours, providing audiences across Scotland with the opportunity to sample the highest quality live music experience.”

The Scottish Fifield/Nedyalkov tour opens the 2008 Tune Up season on 26 February at the Buccleuch Centre in Langholm and ends at The Queens Hall in Edinburgh on 8 March. Eight new tours, live and direct to towns, villages and islands across Scotland, will take place in the coming months.

Fifield/Nedyalkov Tour Dates

26 Feb – Buccleuch Centre, Lanholm
27 Feb – Aros Centre, Skye
28 Feb – An Lanntair, Stornoway
29 Feb – The Loft, Kinloss
1 Mar –Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
2 Mar – Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock
5 Mar – Eastgate Theatre, Peebles
6 Mar – Lochside Theatre, Castle Douglas
7 Mar – Byre Theatre, St Andrews
8 Mar – Queens Hall, Edinburgh
9 Mar – The Sage, Gateshead

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Arts Council serves the people of Scotland by fostering arts of excellence through investment, development, research and advocacy. Its corporate aims are: to support artists to fulfil their creative and business potential; to increase participation in the arts; and to place the arts, culture and creativity at the heart of learning. It invests £60million each year, including £15million of National Lottery funding. For more information visit www.scottisharts.org.uk
2. For more information on Tune Up, visit www.tuneup.org.uk  The tours will feature a host of performances, from traditional Scottish to contemporary classical music, performances of Nigel Osbourne’s new opera (Differences in Demolition, which premiered in Bosnia last year), international singer-songwriters, rock & pop and site-specific performances.
3. Tune Up is currently seeking proposals for new touring projects in Scotland between September 2008 and August 2009. Anyone is eligible to apply, including artists or their representatives, bands, groups and ensembles (Scottish or international), individual or consortia of promoters, venues, tour managers or record labels. Detailed proposal guidelines and application forms can be downloaded from http://www.tuneup.org.uk/section/apply/
4. The Fraser Fifield Band – Fifield (whistle, soprano, sax, bagpipes), together with longtime musical colleague Graeme Stephen (guitar), David Robertson and Guy Nicholson (percussion) release a new album in February, which features guest performances from Nedyalkov and Georgi Petrov. For more information on both artists, visit www.myspace.com/fraserfifield and www.myspace.com/nedyalkonedyalkovquartet  
   

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council