Mark Sheridan New Work Showcased at Celtic Connections 2007

Glasgow, Scotland – Celtic Connections is presenting Mark Sheridan’s brand new composition Landscapes, which will be performed by an ensemble of the finest young traditional musicians in Scotland today – Anna Massie, Martin O’Neill, Ruaridh Campbell, Sarah Naylor, Duncan Lyall and Rachel Hair – alongside leading European jazz saxophonist Konrad Wisniewski, in the Strathclyde Suite at 1.00pm on Saturday 3rd February. The performers are all alumni of the University of Strathclyde’s BA Applied Music Course.

Exploring musical texture, tone, form, melody and rhythm, Sheridan worked with each of the Landscapes soloists to help them portray an area of Scotland that has inspired them. Landscapes evokes rugged coasts, distant islands and the barren emptiness of an industrial wasteland as each performer explores a specific area of Scotland, from the Black Isle to the Trossachs, Skye to Ravenscraig.

Saxophonists Bill Fleming and Tom Dalzell complete the ensemble, which will be directed by Mark Sheridan on piano. Mark Sheridan is Director of Celtic Music Radio and Head of Creative and Aesthetic Studies at the University of Strathclyde. He has written a number of major works including the Curve of the Earth performed by Alasdair Fraser, When They Lay Bare with Pat Kane and Davy Scott, and Paracas, which was written in collaboration with Fred Morrison and which opened Celtic Connections in 2005.

Multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie was named BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2003, and has already appeared at Celtic Connections 2007 with the Anna Massie Band.

World Champion bodhran player Martin O’Neill plays with various leading bands including Dochas, Julie Fowlis’ band and Box Club.

Fiddler Ruaridh Campbell is a former Glenfiddich winner and has already performed his 18 Months Later album, which he released with Angus Lyon, at this year’s Celtic Connections as part of the festival’s Classic Albums strand.

Fiddler Sarah Naylor is also a former Glenfiddich winner and former winner of the Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Open Stage.

Duncan Lyall is a leading bass player with numerous bands including Fred Morrison Band and Box Club.

Harpist Rachel Hair has recently released her new album, Hubcaps and Potholes, and regularly performs across Scotland and Ireland.

European jazz saxophonist Konrad Wisniewski studied at Berklee and Strathclyde.

Ex-Tartan Amoebas saxophonist Tom Dalzell is Education and Outreach Manager for Celtic Connections, and Bill Fleming currently tours the country with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

Tickets can be purchased from the Box Office:

In person at: The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
2 Sauchiehall Street
GLASGOW
G2 3NY
Online at: www.celticconnections.com
By phone on: 0141 353 8000