MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: Graham Mackenzie

Congratulations to Graham Mackenzie who have been nominated in Composer of the Year sponsored by PRS for Music in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Graham Mackenzie of Graham Mackenzie the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Highland fiddler, Graham Mackenzie from Inverness, graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and completed a Masters in Scottish Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in June 2015. In the same year, Graham received a Celtic Connections commission to write music for the New Voices series. His commission titled ‘Crossing Borders’ represents his musical journey to date, reflecting on places and people, bringing together a fusion of traditional and classical styles that have influenced Graham and his music. These influences are drawn from Scotland, the Irish community in Manchester, and Cape Breton which represent Graham’s development as a musician.
His debut album has been well received since its release in September. Mark Radcliffe’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Show, Ian Anderson on BBC Radio Scotland have featured tracks from the album and on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s ‘Caithream Ciuil’ Crossing Borders was album of the week.

As a soloist, Graham has appeared at many folk festivals including the Fiddle Festival in Edinburgh, Celtic Connections, Piping Live, the Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival, International Eisteddfod in Llangollen and Blas. He has had the privilege of working and playing alongside some of the top traditional musicians including Aidan O’Rourke, Donald Shaw, John Doyle and Julie Fowlis.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Graham’s early love of Scottish music comes from his family roots and hearing the wealth of traditional musicians in the Highlands. He performed with Blazin’ Fiddles at their first Blazin’ in Beauty fiddle school in 2001 which was inspirational for him. His fiddle style is influenced by many genres but remains rooted in the Scottish tradition. Graham enjoys composing in a similar way – a strong influence of Scottish music, developing the style and incorporating different musical genres. His involvement in traditional Scottish music is purely down to Graham’s enjoyment and love of the style of music.

Any particular career highlights?
Graham’s career highlights include the release of his debut album ‘Crossing Borders’ in September 2016, performing with the ‘Grit’ orchestra, (Greg Lawson’s orchestration of Martyn Bennett’s album Grit, at both Celtic Connections and the Edinburgh International Festival), performing in ‘The Undivided’, (a folk/jazz fusion project fronted by Mike McGoldrick and Neil Yates) and performing at the Royal Albert Hall with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Graham was the inaugural winner of the Highland Young Musician of the Year and remains the youngest winner of a Danny Kyle Open Stage in 2004.

What are your plans for the future?
Graham will be touring his debut album ‘Crossing Borders’ in 2017 and his newly formed Scottish-Irish band ‘Aizle’ are set to release their debut EP. Graham is continuing to write new tunes and will release his first tune book in 2017.

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.