Albums – Jenna Reid Music

Songs From Jenna Reid

February 18, 2020 by jennareid

Back in 2016 I recorded a Song EP, how is it now 2020? In the last four years we’ve moved house, had another baby and I released my 5th solo fiddle album.

This little collection of songs was always on my mind and I was mindful of the time passing by. It became something that I’d get around to finishing sometime and as time passed it got lower down the list of things to do. It wasn’t pressing, no festival deadline or tour to go on (quite happily) and so it just sat still for some time.

But here it is now, all finished and with the help of recording engineer Angus Lyon who also played piano and accordion and Kevin Mackenzie who ably assisted on guitar. I really loved the change of head space, out of the world of instrumentals, dipping my toe into the world of slow songs.

‘Songs from Jenna Reid’ will be available to download from my website on Monday 24th February.

I hope you enjoy it. X

2019 Scots Trad Awards

December 18, 2019 by jennareid

I wrote my last blog signing off for the year and looking forward to a partying night in Aberdeen, not expecting at all to have the wonderful surprise of coming home with an gong!

I’m thrilled and cannot begin to say how happy I am to receive the award for Composer of the Year.

There are a few ideas in the pot for some more music making and I’m inspired to get working on it very soon.

Not forgetting Blazin’ Fiddles who were awarded Best Folk Band – we’ve just finished our annual winter tour – what better way to round of the year.

Thank you to everyone who voted for me, and the Blazers – what night!

Winter Tales

November 24, 2019 by jennareid

I’m mid tour with Blazin’ Fiddles.

It’s November and our annual winter tour is well underway. I enjoy this tour; full houses and lovely venues and of course the opportunity to pick up the odd Christmas gift along the way.

It’s my last blast of playing tunes before the end of the year and it has been a really special year for me.

I released my fifth solo album and first fully composed album, Working Hands. Mr McFall’s Chamber to joined me, alongside Harris Playfair, Iain Sandilands and Stuart Semple. I love playing music with these folk and it was a dream. Memories of hunkering down in the evenings putting pen to paper are still close by.

The album launched at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. I’m thankful for these opportunities and for me it was a really significant milestone.

Blazin’ Fiddles have had some lovely concerts this year, we’ve been really blown away by the support and appreciation for our 21st year celebrations. A smashing summer tour with Emily Smith was a huge highlight, we worked up some songs of Emily’s and she joined the band for our annual Scottish tour.

RANT launched album 3 into the world this winter, recorded within the majestic walls of the Queen’s Cross Mackintosh Church. Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture is renowned across the world and playing four fiddles in the church was a privilege.

Our winter music school Blazin’ in Beauly is going from strength to strength. Beauly welcomed 130 students; fiddlers, guitarists, piano players, singers and even some would-be percussionists!

We paid tribute to our dear friend Rick Taylor, we miss him so much and remember him with huge smiles.
His presence and talents knew no limits.

The Scots Trad Music Awards take place very soon in the beautiful Aberdeen Music Hall. I’m thrilled to be representing Blazin’ Fiddles who are nominated for Folk Band of the Year and Event of the Year for Blazin’ in Beauly.
I am humbled to be included in the nominations for Best Composer.

As I near the end of this November tour and we wind our way northwards for home, let me take this opportunity to say thank you to you all for your love of music. It keeps us all going strong.

Till next time X

Many thanks,
Jenna

Jenna Reid, Jenna Reid Music, Jenna Reid Fiddler, Scottish Music, Scottish Folk Music, Scottish Fiddle Music

Working Hands – Live Dates

March 20, 2019 by jennareid

I’m on the road for some solo shows this Spring with Harris Playfair on piano and Mr McFall’s Chamber featuring founder and violinist Robert McFall, Su-a Lee on cello, Brian Scheile on viola and on bass, Rick Standley.

Fresh from launching my new album at this years Celtic Connections festival I’m delighted to be teaming up with these amazing musicians again to replay the brand new music for fiddle, piano and string quartet.

Working Hands is a collection of tunes that I composed for friends, family and musicians and it was inspired by the tools our trade; our working hands. I included three of my favourite traditional Shetland tunes within the album so I very much hope you have enjoyed listening.

If you’re yet to hear the new sounds you can download the album on the website, thank you for stopping by.

LIVE SHOWS with Jenna Reid, Harris Playfair and Mr McFall’s Chamber.

6th April Glassell Hall, Aberdeenshire 8pm SOLD OUT

7th April The Queens Hall, Edinburgh 8pm www.thequeenshall.net

27th April The Tollbooth, Stirling 8pm www.culturestirling.org

28th April The Kings Place, London 7.30pm www.kingsplace.org

29th April Perth Theatre, Perth 8pm www.horsecross.co.uk

This is the one and only time I’ll be touring this music, join us if you can.

Till next time X

Memories of Celtic Connections

February 8, 2019February 8, 2019 by jennareid

January’s Celtic Connections festival seems like the dim and distant past now, but thankfully great memories linger.

Reuniting with Deaf Shepherd was a really special moment, playing music from past albums and from our more recent times, including some tunes written by Malcolm Stitt and stunning songs from John Morran. It was a great feeling to stand alongside Clare, John, Mark, Finlay and Malcolm and revisit the sets we used to play. It had been 9 years since the last ‘Deafies’ gig so the invitation to come together again sparked excitement and nerves in equal measure. We had so much fun, I’m sure we’ll it’ll not be another 9 years before we take to the stage again.

The anniversary gigs kept coming and with Blazin’ Fiddles turning 20 in 2018 we played the Kings Theatre to mark the end of an amazing year of concerts across the UK and of course our tour with Karen Matheson in the summer of 2018.

Karen joined us for the our first ever performance in the Kings – what a venue. Usually known more for panto than folk music, it was quite a treat to be behind the scenes in this iconic venue.

Last but not least was the launch of my new album ‘Working Hands’. This was the culmination of 18months work, writing, rewriting, late nights…..my deadline was simple, my daughters birth in October 2017. I knew time would be non-existent following her arrival and therefore I had to complete the writing, recording and rehearsal.

A Celtic Connections date is a very real deadline and we made it. Playing this music for the first time ever in the New Auditorium, with Harris Playfair and McFall’s was exhilarating. I am so thankful to everyone who came out to listen and support me, playing in that room to such a huge crowd was thrilling and completely unforgettable.

Working Hands

December 13, 2018November 23, 2018 by jennareid

Back in 2012 I had taken some lessons with violinist Robert McFall, a member of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and founder of Mr McFalls Chamber, a group known for working in every genre know to man and playing some of the most inspiring music you could ever hear.

Classical violin lessons were a completely new thing for me. I had always wanted the chance to work on sound production and general technique and I guess this is where the idea began, to compose music for string quartet accompanying me on fiddle and with fellow Shetlander Harris Playfair on piano.

Fast forward a few years and life had become pretty busy. Newly married and having become a mum for the first time, and my second baby on the way, my allowance of time to write was pretty tight.

So I set about it most evenings, and I was determined to complete it before my daughter was born. Looking back I probably spent 6-8 months writing new fiddle tunes and the string arrangements that would complete the album.

Harris and I recorded for a day when I was probably about 8 months pregnant – I had to sit down for that recording session. It was such a lovely day, so peaceful and relaxing, just the two of us in the studio and no rushing or stressing. Harris is a joy to work with.

What followed was the tricky bit, pinning down McFalls Chamber for studio dates. We managed 9 hours.

They are the busiest and best I know.

My husband Iain added percussion and our friend Stuart Semple played drums, I’ve always wanted to get them playing on a session together. They’re great friends and fantastic musicians.

So, this my 5th album is complete. It’s different to everything else I have done and I’m delighted to present it to you.

For our hands that are our most precious tools; ‘Working Hands’.

Celtic Connections Gigs

December 13, 2018November 22, 2018 by jennareid

The month of January can be quiet, the bright lights of Christmas have passed and the new year celebrations have died away. Celtic Connections is Glasgow’s winter festival, filling up the dreary month of January and I am thrilled to be part of the programme for 2019.

I have my own album launch, taking place in the New Auditorium of the Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 20th January. I’ll be joined by McFall’s Chamber, Harris Playfair and Iain Sandilands. I’m excited for this. It’s 4 years since my last solo release and it’s such a privilege to have the chance to launch it at this incredible festival.

I’ll also be with Blazin’ Fiddles and Karen Matheson on the 31st of January. We’ll be in the Kings Theatre and it’s a follow on from our summer tour of 2018 where we teamed up with Karen and spent week on the road in Scotland. We had a wonderful time and I was truly star struck to be on stage with Karen.

We’re over the moon to be revisiting the music for Celtic Connections.

Last but not least is the brilliant team of folk that is Deaf Shepherd. I still remember the day when the call came to fill in for Clare McLaughlin whilst she went on maternity leave. I was still studying and I couldn’t believe it! I went onto join the band and although it’s been a few years since we played it’s a joy to be together again to celebrate 25 years since the band began.

We’re in the Strathclyde Suite in the Royal Concert Hall on the 19th January.