It’s a big night for the six musicians competing to win the coveted title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
This year sees the 20th anniversary of the prestigious contest, which started back in 2001 and has seen many previous winners use their title as a springboard to great success in the music industry.
Tonight’s final will be broadcast live simultaneously on BBC Radio Scotland and also on BBC ALBA. Presented by Bruce MacGregor and Joy Dunlop, performances at the event – which is part of Celtic Connections 2020 – will also be filmed and posted on the BBC Radio Scotland website.
The six finalists competing to win the prestigious title are:
Josie Duncan – Voice (Lewis)
Raised in the rich musical landscape of the Outer Hebrides, Josie Duncan has long been able to enthral listeners with her melodic and finely-honed approach to traditional song. Since graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she has performed across the globe.
Pàdruig Morrison – Accordion (Uist)
Pàdruig Morrison, from Grimsay, Uist, performs regularly with Beinn Lee, and also with Causeway Trio (Radio 2 Young Folk Award finalists), as well as various solo projects. He has written several BBC ALBA soundtracks, composes in the contemporary classical field, and is studying for a PhD in Composition.
Ali Levack – Whistles, pipes (Dingwall)
A finalist in 2018, Ali is considered one of the leading instrumentalists on the traditional music scene. Winning accolades for his competitive piping from an early age, he’s also a master of the whistle and his unorthodox technique as part of band Project Smok has been getting him noticed in recent years.
Mhairi Mackinnon – Fiddle (Perthshire)
Fiddle player and teacher Mhairi is originally from Perthshire but now lives in the Highlands. She has a wealth of experience when it comes to performing, teaching and collaborating with musicians from all over the world. Playing the fiddle has always been her passion.
Calum McIlroy – Guitar, mandolin, voice (Aberdeenshire)
Calum McIlroy is a guitarist, mandolin player and singer from Elrick in Aberdeenshire. A student at the acclaimed Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he has been tutored by highly-regarded musicians such as Kevin MacKenzie, Ali Hutton and Fiona Hunter. He fronts his own trio featuring Megan MacDonald (Eabhal, HEISK) on accordion, and Ruairidh Gollan on fiddle.
Cameron Nixon – Voice (Aberdeen)
Scots singer and fiddle player Cameron is currently in his final year of undergraduate studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, having previously attended Plockton Music School. He toured with former Young Trad finalist Iona Fyfe in 2018 and has recently returned from playing in the Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton.
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