MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017: Mary Ann Kennedy

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

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

Tell us about yourself
An urban Gael from multi-cultural Glasgow, Mary Ann Kennedy’s life has been one of music. A member of the ‘first family of Gaelic music’, the Campbells of Greepe, her earliest memories are of a home filled with songs of community, history, work and worship from their exile island of Skye. A hothouse classical training – and a brief diversion running the BBC’s Gaelic news service – sees her today as musician, singer, broadcaster, conductor, composer and producer, based at her creative West Highland hub, Watercolour Music in Ardgour, with husband and fellow musician-producer Nick Turner. Most of her life has been making music with others – collaborating, nurturing, chivvying and inspiring, so this debut solo album is some thirty years in the making, a collection of original Gaelic songs from Mary Ann and in collaboration with others of Scotland’s finest Gaelic lyricists.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I was brought up surrounded by Scottish music, and the Gaelic language, but also in a part of Glasgow where diversity of culture and language was not only apparent but celebrated. My family brought me up to appreciate my own and others’ cultures, and to regard what we were given in terms of Gaelic music as a continuum – respecting what had gone before, being part of what was in the present, and ensuring that you contributed to what would be the future.

Any particular career highlights?
A founder member of Cliar, winners of the ‘All-time Best Album’ at the first Scots Trad Music Awards, she is also twice winner of the Lorient Concours International de l’Harpe, double Mòd gold medallist (Gaeldom’s premier festival), and Saltire Award winner for ground-breaking choral work, Lasair Dhè. Mary Ann formed the tri-Gaelic project Aon Teanga through PRS flagship, Beyond Borders; produced award-winning albums and a biography with her family; was commissioned in the first UK New Music Biennial at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and has been in residence at Gaelic college, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, and Aberdeen Music Hall as Associate Artist. Now, after years of writing and recording, she is stepping forward as a solo artist, with two albums reflecting her passion for tradition and fearless engagement with new Gaelic music and songwriting. Her debut solo on ARC Music is ‘An Dàn’ – the first-ever complete album of new Gaelic songs, and a unique collection of her original music with lyrics by herself and some of Gaeldom’s greatest poets.

This nomination is one of three for Mary Ann at the 2017 Trads – she is also nominated for Album of the Year for ‘An Dàn’ (ARC Music) and as Musical Director of The Tiree Songbook, nominated as 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.