Arts / Yule Gadderie promises an ‘eclectic and really special’ mix of music
A RICH collection of musical performers will take to the stage for Da Yule Gadderie at Mareel this coming weekend.
Talented New England multi-instrumentalist and singer Sam Amidon will be joining forces with three of Shetland’s finest professional touring musicians.
Most islanders will need little introduction to the abilities of high-octane virtuosic fiddler Ross Couper, gifted pianist Amy Laurenson and jazz/folk maestro Norman Willmore.
Da Yule Gadderie takes place on the evening of Saturday (20 December).
Opening the show will be a set from outstanding young fiddle-and-guitar duo George Spence and Fraser Jamieson, with the evening – presented by local promoters Ragged Wood in association with Shetland Arts – compered by Claire White.
The globally acclaimed Amidon, who hails from Vermont and is now based in London with his wife, the well-known English songstress Beth Orton, performs a mixture of original and traditional songs and tunes across the guitar, fiddle and banjo.
He appeared on Later… with Jools Holland earlier this year in support of his seventh album Salt River, and has recently finished scoring History of Sound, a new film with double-BAFTA winning actor Paul Mescal.
A labelmate and peer of groundbreaking American roots artists including Punch Brothers, his wide-ranging CV also includes performers and collaborations with Bon Iver, Emmylou Harris, The National, Bruce Hornsby and the Blind Boys of Alabama.
“I can’t wait for my first ever visit to Shetland to sing songs and collaborate with these brilliant musicians,” Amidon said.
Saxophonist and pianist Willmore says he first came across the New Englander while playing with Orton and her band over the course of a year.
“He mostly recommended Jim Jarmusch movies and obscure jazz records,” he said.
“Sam’s way of playing can be wild and free but somehow always hits home, we’re very lucky to have a musician like him coming up to Shetland for a couple of concerts.”
Willmore – whose musical dexterity sees him seamlessly flit between the worlds of jazz and folk – is also no stranger to Couper, as the two play together in the Celtic fusion juggernaut that is Peatbog Faeries.
Couper has developed his distinctive style through his long-standing membership of Peatbog Faeries, along with an enduring duo with Tom Oakes, while he has also recorded with guitarist brother Ryan and realised a long-held ambition by releasing The Homeroad as The Ross Couper Band last year.
Laurenson, meanwhile, won the 2023 Radio Scotland young traditional musician of the year award, while her 2024 debut album Strands was shortlisted for the SAY (Scottish Album of the Year) prize.
Neil Riddell of Ragged Wood said they first began programming gigs around the festive period to tie in with visits home from the likes of Couper and Kevin Henderson prior to the Covid pandemic.
“For the last couple of years we’ve also had the privilege of involving Amy, who just keeps getting better and better, in the line-up,” he said.
“And this year we’re absolutely thrilled to be adding Sam into the mix.
“All of these musicians have a very broad range of influences and are award winners in their own fields, so it promises to be an eclectic and really special night of music – all rounded off with a good old-fashioned stramash.”
People can buy tickets to Da Yule Gadderie via the Shetland Arts Box Office here.
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