MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017: Mary Ann Kennedy

Congratulations to Mary Ann Kennedy who have been nominated in Album of the Year sponsored by Birnam CD in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017. Vote now!

We asked Angie Lemon of Mary Ann Kennedy the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
One of Scotland's most influential musical figures, Mary Ann Kennedy, has stepped forward as a solo artist after a 30 year career with 'An Dàn Gaelic Songs for a Modern World', released through ARC Music on 28.07.2017.

Mary Ann Kennedy – aka Màiri Anna NicUalraig – was born 100 miles south of her home base of Ardgour, Lochaber in the multicultural and multilingual city of Glasgow. Glasgow, known as ‘Baile Mòr nan Gàidheal’ in Gaelic, literally means the ‘City of the Gaels’. Born into a family whose mother tongue was Gaelic, her mother, Kenna Campbell, grew up in a renowned family of tradition-bearers – The Campbells of Greepe on the Isle of Skye. Her father, Alasdair Kennedy’s home was the Hebridean island of Tiree.

Urban Gael, now Highland resident, Mary Ann's music is the modern-day voice of this her native language. Her passionate, communicative performance brings the stories, people and real lives of the songs directly to the audience, transcending language while still giving her mother tongue a contemporary relevance.

'An Dàn' has recently received a stream of fantastic reviews:

**** 4-star review, The Scotsman by Jim Gilchrist
"One from the heart" .

4****star review in Songlines by Billy Rough:
“Mary Ann Kennedy is one of the finest interpreters of Gaelic song and an inspiring and vital force on the traditional Scots music scene…"

“The musical arrangements are sensitive and beguiling, with the piano and string quartet accompaniment especially graceful and elegant.” fRoots

**** 4-star review “… she wraps the rustic lyrics into a peppy folk pop, atmospheric soundscapes and floating ballads…utterly beautiful .” InHard Magazine

“The voice of Scotland … a very beautiful contemporary folk album…recommended.” Rootstime

“And Mary Ann Kennedy’s Gaelic Songs for a Modern World (ARC Music) is a richly ambitious, widescreen celebration of the language, culture and its global diaspora.” James Millar, Morning Star Online.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Mary Ann: "Being brought up in a family that lived and breathed traditional Gaelic music, and who adored classical music likewise, there was never any question that I would be involved in Scottish music throughout my life. I have always been happiest being in amongst a bigger group, and this major step forward for me as a soloist is both exciting and scary all at once!

ARC Music is one of the premier world music labels in the industry today and their support of Scottis and Gaelic music has also been a long-term one – over much of their 40 year existence. I'm very grateful for all their support in bringing 'An Dàn' to fruition."

Any particular career highlights?
Mary Ann's musical career in its many incarnations has been recognised with major awards, including the Concours Internationale de l'Harpe Celtique at the Lorient Festival Interceltique, the international Celtic Media Festival's Radio Presenter of the Year, and the coveted double gold at Gaeldom's premier festival, the National Mòd. With her tradition-bearer family, the Campbells of Greepe, the major biography and album project 'Fonn' won the Arts and Culture award at the first National Gaelic Awards, and her choir, Còisir Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, is recognised as one of the country's top choral ensembles.

Mary Ann Kennedy is also nominated in the Gaelic Singer of the Year category and as Musical Director of The Tiree Songbook, a musical celebration of her father's home island, nominated for Community Project of the Year.

What are your plans for the future?
Having taken 30 years over the first one, the albums are like buses – ‘Glaschu’ (2018) will be a love-song to her Glasgow Gaidhealtachd upbringing, being released during the year of the European Championships in the city and ahead of the National Mòd coming to Glasgow in 2019.

Mary Ann will perform a full-scale album showcase with an 11-piece band at the 2018 Celtic Connections Festival on 31st January 2018, with guests including Jarlath Henderson, Megan Henderson, Patsy Reid, Finlay Wells, Euan Burton, Lorne MacDougall, Robert Robertson and Josie Duncan

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Paisley’s Lagoon Centre call 0300 300 1210 or to buy online visit www.paisley2021.co.uk/events/the-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards. Tickets can also be purchased via Paisley Arts Centre. Bands performing on Saturday 2nd December include Elephant Sessions, The Shee Big Band, Siobhan Miller, Tidelines, Paisley Fèis, Snuffbox, The Seamus O’Sullivan Experience, Lori Watson, Jenna Reid and Harris Playfair, Songs of Bàrd Phàislig (featuring Gillebrìde MacIlleMhaoil, Sìneag MacIntyre, Màiri NicAonghais, Seonaidh MacIntyre, Ewan MacPherson, Mhairi Hall, Màiri Nic a Mhaoilein and more to be announced. There will also be a late night ceilidh after the Awards till 1am.