TUNE IN: The Breabach quintet is often described as the new face of Scottish traditional music.
By Umer Nangiana
It is time for some contemporary folk music from United Kingdom rounded off with region’s traditional melodies. One of Qatar’s most celebrated musicians, Mohamed al-Saegh, is joining the internationally recognised Breabach band from Scotland, to set the stage for a grand musical dialogue.
Al-Saegh and the Breabach are performing live in a one-of-a-kind concert at Al Rayyan Theatre in Souq Waqif today. Poised to deliver a thrilling brand of contemporary folk music, the energetic Scottish band Breabach has earned international recognition as one of the UK’s most dynamic and influential bands this year.
Al-Saegh, who will play a selection of traditional music instruments, is one of Qatar’s top musicians and a well-known television actor, playwright, artist and researcher in folk art. He has received numerous festival awards in the Gulf states.
The British Council is organising the event with the support of the Scottish government as part of British Festival 2015. “It is my pleasure to be part of the British Festival. Playing with a traditional Scottish band like Breabach is a privilege and a great opportunity to showcase the cultural dialogue between Qatar and Scotland through music,” said al-Saegh.
Comprising Calum MacCrimmon (pipes, whistles, bouzouki), Ewan Robertson (guitar, vocals), James Mackenzie (pipes, flute, whistles), Megan Henderson (fiddle, vocals, stepdance) and James Lindsay (double bass), Breabach; the energetic five-piece, delivers a thrilling and unique brand of contemporary folk music.
Those who have seen their live show will see why the group has earned international recognition in roots music scene. Often described as the new face of Scottish traditional music, their career has already seen them voted ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Live Act’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards as well as being nominated twice as ‘Best Band’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Ever since launching their career as winners of an Open Stage Award at Celtic Connections 2005, Breabach’s star has been steeply on the rise, an ascent that continues with the release of their fourth album, Ùrlar.
The recent years have seen Breabach performing across the globe; from taking in the New Year at Woodford Festival 2014 in Australia, to WOMAD New Zealand and the Sydney Opera House, touring Europe, Canada and South Korea as well as performing at esteemed events on home soil such as the Heb Celt Festival and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
MacCrimmon graduated with honours from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. From 2004 to 2008 he was acting musical co-director, accompanist and tutor for The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland.
Henderson is from Fort William. She is involved with the Feisean movement, playing at festivals including Celtic Colours, Canada, Celtic Connections, Scotland and Blas, also in Scotland. Henderson moved to Glasgow in 2007 to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
Robertson became interested in guitar and song whilst studying at Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd. He was awarded the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2008.
Mackenzie, the flute-player is from Back in the Isle of Lewis. He has a BA (Hons) in Scottish Music, specialising in Piping at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He played with the Scottish Power Pipe Band for two years. Bass Player James Lindsay comes from Inverurie in the heart of Aberdeenshire. He graduated with Honours in 2011 from Strathclyde University in Glasgow with a BA Applied Music Degree. He combines playing with the band and working as a session musician.
The show will start at 7:30pm, an hour after the doors open at the theatre.
