MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2019: Jenn Butterworth

Congratulations to Jenn Butterworth who has been nominated in Musician of the Year sponsored by The University of the Highlands and Islands in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2019. Vote here! Vote now!

We asked Jenn Butterworth the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
I’m a trad guitarist and singer based in Glasgow, and for the last 15 years I’ve worked, collaborated and appeared in a number of different bands and projects. I regularly perform with Kinnaris Quintet, Laura-Beth Salter, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, Ryan Young, Claire Hastings and new duo David Foley and Jack Smedley (RURA). Other notable collaborations include performances with Songs of Separation, Treacherous Orchestra, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Fiddlers’ Bid, The Shee, Innes Watson’s Guitar Colloquium, Finlay MacDonald, Gavin Marwick’s Journeyman, Gillian Frame, Adam Sutherland and The Blas Collective. I spend most of my time performing, recording and arranging music with a whole host of people from the amazing Scottish and worldwide trad scenes.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I’m involved in Scottish music mainly because it’s fiery, dynamic, heartfelt and forward-thinking. I can’t imagine a day of my life not playing, teaching or listening to traditional music. It brings people together and it’s given me the opportunity to travel the world and make some great long-lasting friendships. It’s a strong and supportive community, celebrating our heritage and drawing from the influences around us to be a forward-thinking living tradition which is so exciting to be a small part of.

Any particular career highlights?
The journey that Kinnaris Quintet has been on since the band started a few years ago has been absolutely amazing, visiting many of the UK’s top festivals and having a multi-award nominated album. My recent trip to WOMEX with Ryan Young was a fantastic experience, and I’d say a particular highlight I’m very excited about that’s coming up is my performance with musical hero Liz Carroll at the Scots Fiddle Festival this year.

What are your plans for the future?
In the near future I’m releasing albums with Ryan Young, David Foley & Jack Smedley and Will Pound’s ‘A Day Will Come’ project and taking that music to venues in the UK and across Europe. I’m also writing new music with Laura-Beth Salter and Kinnaris Quintet, and hopefully between all of that I’ll get the opportunity to continue collaborating with lots of different and interesting musicians. Long-term, I’d love to record a solo album and continue to spend lots of my time playing the guitar.

If you wish to attend the final ceremony, tickets are are priced £25 (+ Booking Fee), and Concessions are available. To book please call Aberdeen Music Hall Box Office on 01224 641122, or visit: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards/2734. Bands performing on Saturday 7th December include Skerryvore, Session A9, Benedict Morris (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award Winner 2019), Heisk, Aberdeenshire Youth Band, Sian, Robyn Stapleton, Mairi Campbell and the Pendulum Band, Susan MacFadyen Scottish Dance Band and more to be announced. There will also be a late night ceilidh after the Awards till 1am.

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