Guitar festival next weekend

THIS year’s Shetland Guitar Festival – featuring former Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim and versatile Stuart McCallum – will take place next weekend.

Friday’s  opening night in the Bigton Hall will be headlined by Aziz Ibrahim and Dalbir Singh Rattan on tablas.

A Shetland Arts spokesman said: “Drawing equally on his Pakistani/British heritage and performing in a duo alongside tabla player Dalbir Singh Rattan, the Mancunian guitarist gives free rein to an incredibly broad mix of influences that he blends into what he calls ‘The Asian Blues’.

“His live shows are known for their incredible musical journeys and infectious creativity.”

On Saturday night the festival moves to Mareel with an ‘alternative jazz’ performance by Stuart McCallum featuring a distillation of influences, creating a sound that is concentrated and distinctive.

Stuart will be supporting Aziz on the Friday, and Aziz will support Stuart on Saturday, each with short solo spots, giving all festival attendees a chance to see these headliners.

Local music students Norman Wilmore (tenor sax), Hayden Hook (double bass & cello), Max Tyler (trumpet & piano), and Martha Thompson (violin) will be collaborating in Saturday night’s performance.

They will also be hosting a workshop on Saturday afternoon, 2pm to 4pm, in Mareel.

Tickets for these concerts, as well as the Saturday workshop, are available from Shetland Box Office in Mareel/Islesburgh, phone on 01595 745 555, or online at www.shetlandboxoffice.org or www.mareel.org