Trevor Buck is a passionate supporter of traditional Scottish music and culture. Born and raised in Middlesbrough, he did not grow up listening to traditional music. Instead, he was drawn to blues, rhythm’n’blues, rockabilly, and jazz. He lived in Liverpool during the “Merseybeat” era and enjoyed countless lunchtime sessions down The Cavern.
It was not until later in life that Buck discovered traditional music. He was introduced to Scottish trad via Richard Thompson’s occasional instrumental tracks, who he describes as “the man with the bagpipes in his voice”. Trevor also discovered Shetland trad through Mark Knopfler’s recommendation of Catriona MacDonald and became a big fan of Jock Tamson’s Bairns, whose albums he believes never had a single track less than brilliant.
Trevor was lured by the music and friends, which led him to emigrate to Edinburgh in 2009 and since then, he has become deeply involved in the Scottish music scene, serving on the board of the Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin from 2010 to 2017. He is now Treasurer of Mad Jam Open Mic’s and the Traditional Music Forum.
For Trevor, working in Scottish music and culture is a joy. Scottish music has given him so much pleasure and friendship, and he loves trying to pay it back. He is particularly passionate about youth involvement in traditional music. The Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin, which he served on the board of for many years, was a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved in traditional music and form lasting friendships. The EYG Big Band, which formed from the Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin, is still going strong today.
In addition to his work with the youth Gaitherin, Trevor is Treasurer of Mad Jam Open Mic’s, a group that is directed at those with serious mental health issues. The group holds a joyous Edinburgh concert once a month in front of a generous audience, with performers, audience, and volunteers all having had experience of, or having been close to, mental health issues. No one is allowed to “die” onstage, and Trevor says that while some performances are good, it’s also not unknown for a contributor to have only four untuned strings on a guitar. The singer thrashes at the remaining open strings, and the audience eventually identifies the song and carries it through to a tumultuous ending.
Trevor Buck is a passionate advocate for traditional Scottish music and culture. His work with Mad Jam Open Mic’s and the Traditional Music Forum, as well as his involvement in the Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin and the EYG Big Band, demonstrate his commitment to promoting traditional music and making it accessible to all.