Plenty of local links in trad music award nominations
THERE are a number of Shetland connections in the nominations for this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards.
Shetland piano player Amy Laurenson is nominated for the coveted musician of the year prize.
It comes as she heads back to Shetland for two gigs this coming weekend to present a suite of music she composed for the Celtic Connections festival.
Laurenson will be joined by musicians including cellist Su-a Lee, who is also nominated for the same prize.
Also playing alongside Laurenson at her Lerwick and Bigton concerts will be Norman Willmore, Seth Travins, Gregor Black, Maggie Adamson and Matthew Tighe.
Meanwhile local fiddler Chris Stout is nominated in the album of the year category for his A Love for All Seasons record with Catriona McKay.
Shetland-based musician Jenny Sturgeon is also up for the album prize with her group Salt House.
Local fiddler Jenna Reid is represented in the album of the year category with Blazin’ Fiddles’ Incendo too.
A number of the names on this year’s shortlist will be familiar to Shetland music fans, especially folk festival goers – with acts such as Valtos, Mec Lir and Hannah Rarity all recent visitors.
Up for the original work for the year prize is Deiseil: Dancing in Time, which is heading to Mareel for a performance on Friday.
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards will be held at the Paisley Arena on Saturday 5 December, with people able to cast votes for who they think should win.
Meanwhile among the early proposals for the Lerwick Town of Culture bid is hosting the trad awards in Shetland in 2028.
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