Bruce MacGregor - Fiddle Sandy Brechin - Piano Accordion Brian Ó hEadhra - Guitar & Vocals
Influences
We have played in some amazing venues and for wonderful audiences.
Here are some the venues and clients we have played for recently:
Highlands & Islands Enterprise British Council Drambuie Blas Festival BBC Radio Scotland Ceòl aig a' Chaisteal (TV programme) Hebridean Celtic Festival Ionad Chaluim Chille - Ìle Lyth Arts Centre An Lanntair, Stornoway Warehouse Theatre, Lossiemouth Geiteberg Venue, Norway
Sounds Like
fun, a party, a good idea, a cèilidh, traditional music, the Gaelic, grand craic, I could go on and on!...
"Fiery tunes and beautiful songs from the Gaelic and Scots traditions by three of Scotland's finest musicians"
Bruce MacGregor , Sandy Brechin & Brian Ó hEadhra blend some of the finest musicianship and singing to come out of Scotland in recent years. The trio first performed together as the House Band at Hebridean Celtic Festival 2006 in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. Individually they perform with their own highly acclaimed acts; Bruce in Blazing Fiddles, Sandy in Burach and Brian in Anam.
These three seasoned artistes have drawn on a wealth of tunes and songs from the Gaelic and Scots traditions, as well as each being acclaimed composers in their own right. Not only are Bruce, Sandy and Brian excellent musicians, but they are also loved by audiences for their witty and entertaining live performance.
The trio performed again at the Blas Festival 2007 where they received a five star review from the Scotsman newspaper:
“Perfectly pitched mix of lively dance tunes, evocative slow airs and Gaelic songs earned both rapt attention and noisy applause, culminating in a fully fledged cèilidh.” *****
With their phenomenal track record and years of experience, it's no wonder that festivals and audiences return again and again to see this great show.
Bruce MacGregor - Fiddle Bruce MacGregor , is probably best known as founder and driving force behind the multi award winning Blazin' Fiddles. He also toured and recorded with the first incarnation of Gaelic supergroup Cliar. Taught by the great Donald Riddell, Bruce's style encapsulates the finest points of Highland fiddle music – bold and rugged at times, lyrical and beautiful at others.
As well as a touring musician Bruce's composing skills have seen his work commissioned for TV, radio and stage. He also occupies his spare time occasionally broadcasting for BBC radio Scotland and running a visitor centre out of Inverness .
" Bruce MacGregor has something of the Midas touch. This has nothing to do with luck, it has everything to do with a deep love and affinity for his music and a unique talent." Fiddle on Magazine
Sandy Brechin - Piano Accordion Sandy Brechin is one of the most popular accordionists in the country and is best known for his bands: Burach, The Sandy Brechin Band and his electric cèilidh band The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience, all of whom have new albums out on his own label, Brechin All Records. Sandy has also released a host of albums on the prestigious Greentrax label with Burach, The SB Band and the Gaelic folk group, Seelyhoo and with various other artists, such as ex-Runrig lead singer, Donnie Munro .
Born and raised in the village of Kirkliston , in West Lothian, Sandy is now based in Edinburgh , where, as well as teaching, recording and performing, he runs his own record company. Sandy is a frequent teacher for the Feis movement all over the country, where his enthusiastic and dynamic teaching style are in high demand.
" Whose accordion bellows boldly blow where no box has blown before ." Archie Fisher
Brian Ó hEadhra - Guitar & Vocals Brian Ó hEadhra (pron. Bree-an Ohara) originally from Dublin in Ireland , resides in Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. Not only is Brian an accomplished traditional singer in Gaelic and English but he is also an acclaimed song-writer in both languages. He has toured the world over (Europe, Far East, Australasia, North America ) with his band Anam playing festivals, concerts, TV & radio. Anam have recorded 5 albums over the past 12 years. He also has recorded a solo album called ‘Life' and has an album of Gaelic songs with Christine Primrose called ‘An Turas'; both albums are released on his own label – Anam Communications.
Brian has played as a live and recording session musician with many accomplished Celtic music acts over the years including Deaf Shepherd, Tabache, Mackenzie, Upstairs in a Tent, Cliar, Sandy Brechin , Bruce MacGregor , Anna Murray , and Christine Primrose . He is the Artistic Director of the Highland based Blas Music festival and also works as an Arts/Cultural consultant and a Gaelic language tutor.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
HOOTANANNY Friday May 8th 2009 BRUCE MACGREGOR “Blazin night ahead with this top fiddler and friends” Saturday May 9th 2009 BRUCE MACGREGOR “Second of two nights with Bruce Macgregor & Friends”
I hope repeat in september, when I in Scotland!!! Are amazing!!
Cheers to the lads for the add and the music! Come join us when you're over here on tour at www. myspace. com/saratogapancelticsession, okay? Vonnie from 2 Bits (hammered dulcimer and piano)
Hello! I had mistakenly thought I had already added you. I really love all these beautiful songs and will just have to buy the CD soon! Thanks for the add!
Online Now!
Thanks so much for your friendship, John and Robert