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
And on top of all that a brilliant gig last weekend with Harris at the Scots Fiddle Festival!!!
Really looking forward to seeing you all at Darvel, and teamed up with Skerry-vore , the evening just couldn’t be any better. Don’t know how you all do it but you continually keep on improving ( lots of practice i’m sure ) It’s an incredible joy to watch and listen . Then after -wards were into Celtic connections all over again , its just a fab time of year. Lovely blog thanks m