Celtic Connections Listings:

• Thursday 15th January - Wednesday, 21st January
• Thursday 22nd January - Monday 26th January.
• Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th January
• Thursday 29th January - 1st February



Thursday 15th January - Sunday 1st February

6th November - Additions to the programme

Programme Announcement 21st October, 2008

Celtic Connections' Artistic Director Donald Shaw today revealed a diverse programme of events featuring high profile folk, roots, traditional, world, classical, jazz and indie artists for the 2009 festival.

The 16th festival, sponsored by ScottishPower, features approximately 1500 artists performing in over 300 events taking place over 18 days across 14 venues in Glasgow.

Celtic Connections launches the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations with a salute to Robert Burns on the 250th anniversary of his birth.

The theme of homecoming has inspired the programming of events that trace the evolution of cultures and musical traditions back to their roots, including Throw Down Your Heart featuring Bela Fleck.

The programme contains a distinct African flavour as Celtic Connections explores the links between Celtic and world music. Luminary of the world music scene Youssou N'Dour will perform at the festival - a major coup for Celtic Connections.

Celebrated folk, roots, traditional, indie, jazz and classical music artists performing at the festival includeL Richard Thompson, Sly and Robbie, Kate Rusby, Judy Collins, Mariza, Michael Nyman, Dr. John and Allen Toussaint, Nanci Griffith, Eddi Reader, Dervish, Edwyn Collins, Cerys Matthews, Michael Marra, Branford Marsalis and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, James Grant, Jerry Douglas, The Sharon Shannon Big Band, Catriona McKay, Julie Fowlis, Kathy Mattea, La Bottine Souriante and Salsa Celtica.

A twelve hour Burns song marathon, a Jamaican Burns Night, a suite of brand new commissions, a high profile concert celebrating the spirit of Burns and an all star ceilidh in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - Celtic Connections throws the ultimate party in honour of the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth.

Concerts with a Gaelic poetry theme include Hallaig - A Celebration of Sorley MacLean and Dhachaigh - A Celebration of Murdo Macfarlane.

This year's Classic Albums strand will see three great records - Richard Thompson's 1000 Years of Popular Music, Battlefield Band's Home is Where the Van Is and Catriona McKay's Starfish - performed in their entirety.

The Celtic Connections Education Programme enters into its 11th year in 2009. Over 15,000 children will enjoy 8 free schools concerts in January, with a further 2000 children benefiting from free in-school workshops.

The most international Celtic Connections festival to date will see artists from Africa, India, Russia, Jamaica, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Norway, France, the USA, as well as the cream of home-grown talent, perform in Glasgow in January.

Europe's premier winter music festival, Celtic Connections enters into its 16th year in 2009, and its 3rd year of successfully working with principal sponsor ScottishPower.

CELTIC CONNECTIONS LAUNCHES THE HOMECOMING SCOTLAND CELEBRATIONS AND SALUTES ROBERT BURNS ON HIS 250TH ANNIVERSARY

Celtic Connections has joined up with Homecoming Scotland to present some of the finest Scottish and international musicians in tributes to Robert Burns, and to celebrate the connections between Scottish music and traditions across the world.

Honouring the influence of Robert Burns on the eve of the 250th anniversary of his birth, Celtic Connections celebrates his legacy with its biggest event to date, Auld Lang Syne, in which some of Scotland's leading musicians and singers including Dougie MacLean, Karen Matheson, Michael Marra, Karine Polwart, Dick Gaughan, John McCusker and Phil Cunningham unite to celebrate the spirit and songs of Scotland's national bard. They will be joined by some very special guests, such as the legendary Odetta.

On Burns Night itself the Royal Scottish National Orchestra will perform the world premiere of The Homecoming Scotland Suite - a series of eight brand new commissions by leading contemporary composers working in the fields of traditional and orchestral music. Special guest musicians will join the orchestra to perform new works by composers including RSAMD graduate turned Hollywood composer Brian Byrne, Steve Forman (who has worked with John Lennon and David Bowie), Tommy Smith, Patsy Reid, Aidan O'Rourke, Greg Lawson and Chris Stout. The acclaimed New Orleans jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis will perform a piece written especially for him by Sally Beamish.

Elsewhere on 25th January, the Jamaican Burns Night at the Old Fruitmarket takes inspiration from what might have been had Burns made his planned trip to Jamaica. A unique mash-up of sounds, styles and flavours, the evening features Jamaican legends Sly and Robbie, who will arrive direct from Kingston to perform alongside a host of Scottish talent. Their performance will include specially arranged Burns songs in their acclaimed drum and bass style. Also performing will be Edward II and Glasgow's Future Pilot Dub Orkestra featuring the evening's curator Sushil K Dade.

As a fitting finale to Celtic Connections' celebration of Homecoming Scotland 2009, Transatlantic Sessions - Bringing It All Back Home highlights the traditional songs and tunes which crossed the Atlantic with Celtic immigrants to form the bedrock of American roots music. These two concerts feature Nanci Griffith, Kathy Mattea and Union Station's Dan Tyminski (also known as the singing voice of George Clooney in the Coen brothers' classic O Brother, Where Art Thou?) as well as a host of Celtic talent.

In addition to these four major Homecoming events, Celtic Connections will also pay tribute to Robert Burns with the Twelve Hour Burns Marathon organised in association with Dr Fred Freeman (producer of the Linn Records recording of the Burns repertoire), in which 250 Burns songs will be performed from 12 noon to 12 midnight to mark the bard's 250th anniversary, Eddi Reader Sings the Songs of Robert Burns and an All Star Ceilidh in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's Main Auditorium.

A CELTIC CONNECTION WITH AFRICA

A major theme of the 2009 programme is Africa, as the festival explores the connections between Celtic and world music and traces the evolution of cultures and musical traditions. The highly revered Senegalese singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Youssou N'Dour will visit the UK for a one-off show in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 23rd January, in a concert which is a major coup for Celtic Connections.

A whole host of celebrated African artists will perform in a concert entitled Throw Down Your Heart, inspired by Bela Fleck's film Throw Down Your Heart - Bela Fleck Brings the Banjo Back to Africa, which traces the African roots of the banjo. One of the world's most astounding singers, the Mali diva Oumou Sangare, kora virtuoso Toumani Diabate and Malian ngoni player Bassekou Kouyate (who will also headline his own gig at the Old Fruitmarket with his band Ngoni Ba) will perform alongside Bela Fleck himself. They will be joined by Scottish Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes and Irish Gaelic singer Liam O Maonlai.

In addition to the African theme, world music forms a strong part of the festival programme, with acts including the great Portuguese singer Mariza, Salsa Celtica, Lo Cor de la Plana (making one of the most hotly anticipated debuts of the festival), an Asturian Night featuring Llan de Cubel and Anabel Santiago and Homebound - a cross-cultural encounter bringing together musicians from India, Portugal, Russia, the US, Scotland and Germany.

CELEBRATED FOLK, ROOTS, TRADITIONAL, BLUEGRASS, AMERICANA, AND INDIE ACTS ON THE BILL

Celtic Connections attracts a wealth of home-grown and international talent to Glasgow every January. This year, acclaimed acts such as New Orleans legends Dr. John and Allen Toussaint, New York blues master Eric Bibb and Michael Nyman (composer of the The Piano soundtrack) feature on the bill alongside folk favourites Judy Collins, Kate Rusby, Kathy Mattea, Michael Marra, Lunasa, Dervish, Shooglenifty, The Sharon Shannon Big Band, Julie Fowlis, Blazin' Fiddles, Karine Polwart, Rachel Unthank and The Winterset and Drever, McCusker, Woomble.

This year's Classic Albums strand will see three great records - Richard Thompson's 1000 Years of Popular Music, Battlefield Band's Home is Where the Van Is and Catriona McKay's Starfish - performed in their entirety.

Once again, some sizzling bluegrass acts feature on the Celtic Connections bill, including Crooked Still, Tim O'Brien, Abigail Washburn and The Sparrow Quartet (featuring Bela Fleck) and we welcome the return of one of the biggest hits of last year's festival, Cherryholmes. In an exciting double-bill of Herald Angel-winners, Celtic Connections brings together two of the most talked about bands at this year's Edinburgh Fringe - The Wilders and The Hot Seats (formerly known as Special Ed and the Shortbus).

Americana talent such as Justin Townes Earle (son of Steve Earle), Gurf Morlix, Nanci Griffith and Dirk Powell will perform at Celtic Connections 2009.

The programme's indie contingent features Edwyn Collins (who will be supported by the legendary Scottish band The Bluebells, with original members Ken McCluskey, Robert Hodgens and David McCluskey reuniting for this Celtic Connections gig), Cerys Matthews, and a Shoeshine Records showcase night at the ABC with headliners Attic Lights joined by Norman Blake and Euros Childs, and BMX Bandits. The festival will also stage the official debut performance of The Burns Unit featuring Karine Polwart, Sushil Dade and King Creosote amongst others.

Celtic Connections will present the world premiere of Conflict and Resolution - a new composition by David Heath which celebrates the life of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is the result of a two year collaboration between a group of Scottish and Catalan musicians. The piece will be performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

GAELIC HIGHLIGHTS

The festival continues to expand on its celebration of the Gaelic language with events such as Hallaig - A Celebration of Sorley MacLean, Dhachaigh (Home) - a tribute to the Lewis bard Murdo Macfarlane, Tobar an Dualchais (Well of Riches) featuring songs unearthed from the archives of the School of Scottish Studies. Singers appearing at these events include James Graham, Jenna Cumming, Alasdair Whyte, Margaret Stewart, Christine Primrose and Kirsteen MacDonald.

In association with Ceol's Craic, the Centre for Contemporary Arts will host three days of Gaelic arts and activities including music, workshops and film.

THE CAPE BRETON CONNECTION

The festival will kick off with a celebration of the rich musical connections between Scottish traditional music and that of Cape Breton. The Cape Breton Connection features the revered godfather of Cape Breton fiddle music, Jerry Holland, as well as J.P.Cormier and Ashley MacIsaac. Gaelic singer Mary Jane Lamond performs with her trio, while six-piece family band the Barra MacNeills return to Scotland after celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2007. Our Cape Breton visitors will be joined by some of the many Scottish musicians who have appeared there at the Celtic Colours festival, including harpist/singer Corrina Hewat and pianist David Milligan.

SHOWCASE OF SCOTTISH TALENT

International music industry delegates from over 30 different countries will sample the cream of Scottish musical talent at Showcase Scotland 2009. Showcase Scotland runs from Thursday 29th January to Sunday 1st February as part of Celtic Connections and will provide a platform for promoting Scottish music and artists to new audiences around the world. This year, the international partner for Showcase Scotland is Quebec, with acts such as Genticorum, La Bottine Souriante, Le Vent du Nord and Yves Lambert and the Bebert Orchestra performing at the festival.

SUPPORTING FRESH TALENT

Celtic Connections remains committed to fostering new talent and facilitating musical creativity. The Danny Kyle Open Stage and BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year Final will continue to showcase fresh talent in 2009. Rick Taylor, Mairearad Green and Griogair Labhruidh will showcase new commissions as part of this year's New Voices strand.

Speaking about the programme for Celtic Connections 2009, Celtic Connections' Artistic Director Donald Shaw said:

"Once again, Celtic Connections will celebrate the connections between cultures across the globe and trace the roots of musical traditions, particularly through the world music strand of the programme. We have some incredible world music acts on the bill, such as Youssou N'Dour and Oumou Sangare, and I think it's a testament to Glasgow's international reputation as a great city for live music that major stars like these will visit from Africa for a one-off gig at Celtic Connections. "Some amazing acts from all over the world are coming to Glasgow to join in with our celebrations of the 250th anniversary of Burns' birth as part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. We're hosting a really diverse programme of events to pay tribute to his great legacy, including a Jamaican Burns Night and an All Star Ceilidh in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall."

Colin McNeill, Corporate Communication Director of ScottishPower, said:

"As a company with strong Scottish roots, ScottishPower is proud to support a festival that celebrates the richness and diversity of Scottish culture, and is delighted that Celtic Connections features so highly in the Year of Homecoming."

Marie Christie, Director of Homecoming Scotland, said:

"Celtic Connections has always showcased the very best of new and established musical talent and provides a unique opportunity for Scots and those who love Scotland to immerse themselves in music which celebrates our own musical traditions alongside other rich traditions from across the world. It is only fitting that Homecoming Scotland unites with Celtic Connections to pay tribute to our musical heritage and the great Robert Burns with a fantastic programme as a key part of our launch weekend festivities."

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said:

"Every year I am amazed at the variety of acts featuring at Celtic Connections. The festival's success is clear to see as it continues to attract renowned artists like Youssou N'Dour, Richard Thompson and Michael Nyman. True to its roots, it is great to see the Festival continues to engage with young people via its educational programme. "On Burns Night 2009, Scotland's Year of Homecoming begins. Celtic Connections will be in full swing and I cannot think of a better atmosphere to welcome Scots returning home from all over the world. Celtic Connections represents the very best Scotland has to offer, and the events it has planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national poet will play an important role in kicking off the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations."

Tickets

Celtic Connections 2009 tickets go on sale on Tuesday 21st October. Tickets can be booked:

Online: www.celticconnections.com
By phone: 0141 353 8000
and
City Halls and Old Fruitmarket, Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NQ

About Homecoming Scotland 2009

Homecoming Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by EventScotland, the national events agency, in partnership with VisitScotland, the country's national tourism agency.

Robert Burns is the inspiration for Homecoming Scotland as 2009 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet.

As well as Robert Burns, Homecoming Scotland events are also celebrating some of the other great contributions Scotland has given the world - golf, whisky, great Scottish minds and innovations, and as the ancestral home to millions of people around the world.

Homecoming Scotland will engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.

The Celtic Connections Homecoming programme is part of a high profile series of events planned to launch this national celebration on the weekend of Robert Burns' 250th anniversary.
For more information on Homecoming Scotland visit:www.homecomingscotland2009.com

ADDITIONS TO THE CELTIC CONNECTIONS PROGRAMME

We're delighted to announce that Martha Wainwright and Teddy Thompson will perform in a stellar double-bill at the Old Fruitmarket on 27th January.

A host of very special guests have been added to the bill for the Jamaican Burns Night. Joining Kingston's legendary drum and bass duo Sly & Robbie for the festivities will be Karine Polwart, Sharon Shannon and Edwyn Collins, with the evening featuring specially arranged Burns songs and dub versions of the music of Collins' iconic Glasgow group, Orange Juice.

Celtic Connections will screen Bela Fleck's award-winning film Throw Down Your Heart on Monday 19th January, followed by a Q&A session with Fleck himself. This film is the source of inspiration for the concert featuring Oumou Sangare, Toumani Diabate and Bassekou Kouyate (17th January, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall), all of whom feature in the film. These three internationally-revered artists starred in Africa Now at the Barbican last month, which was described by The Guardian as "one of the events of the year".

A host of talent has been lined up to take part in the 3-day celebration of Gaelic arts at CCA, which runs from 22nd - 24th January. Kathleen MacInnes will perform alongside Belle and Sebastian'sStevie Jackson, Norman Blake (of Teenage Fanclub fame) will appear with Nuala Kennedy andEuros Child, and Puirt-a-Beul (Gaelic mouth music) meets New York beatbox as Lewis singer Norrie MacIver is joined by Quest. Some of the other acts appearing include The Parsonage, The Tempus Fugitives, Maire Ni Choilm, Maeve Mackinnon, Iain Morrison and Daibhidh Martin.

CANCELLATION

Unfortunately, Little Feat have been forced to cancel their European tour due to unforeseen circumstances, including their appearance at Celtic Connections. They were due to perform at the Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 1st February, and we'd be grateful if you could please remove this gig from any listings.

SCOTTISH THISTLE AWARDS SUCCESS

Celtic Connections won the Events and Festivals - International award at the Scottish Thistle Awards on 24th October in recognition of its contribution to Scotland's tourism industry. The economic impact of Celtic Connections increased by £1m in 2008, as festival fans generated a total of #6.8 million of new output to Glasgow, and a total of £ 7.9 million to Scotland. A rare opportunity to see the Scottish Ensemble musicians in the intimate setting of the CCA as they rehearse. CCA, Glasgow Tickets £ 5 from 0141 352 4900

23 November Oran Mor, Glasgow 7.00pm
Box Office: 0141 353 8000 or www.glasgowconcerthalls.com
Tickets £14.50/£11 Under 26 £5 Under 18 £3

www.scottishensemble.co.uk