Congratulations to James Mackintosh who has been nominated in Instrumentalist of the Year sponsored by Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2014. Vote now!
We asked James Mackintosh the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Born Fort William 11/08/1966
Educated at Lochaber High School and Edinburgh College of Art, BA Honours in Drawing and Painting.
Experienced touring and session musician, composer and teacher, at home on the road, in the recording studio and on the film set.
Founding member of groundbreaking Scottish group Shooglenifty, touring globally for 25 years, playing concerts and festivals in New Zealand, Australia , Europe, The USA, Canada and Asia.
Co founder of label “Shoogle Records”. Shoogle records have released several CD’s to date, see www.shoogle.com
Extensive teaching and workshop experience in drums, percussion and group work, notably during award winning “Blazin in Beauly” fiddle week, and hosting workshops at concerts and festivals around the globe, from Seattle to Sydney.
I Currently holding the post of Music Advocate with CABN, where I have held several one on one advice sessions, as well as organising and hosting advice and networking days entitled “How Music Works” at the Heart of Hawick .Several speakers and practitioners from various organisations such as the Musician’s Union and the Performing Rights Society give peer advice and talks. CABN : Creative Arts Business Network
Arts Development
Scottish Borders Council
Heart of Hawick – Tower Mill
Kirkstile
Hawick
TD9 0AE
tel: 01450 360 689
mob: 07789 944 993
web: www.cabn.info
Recently I have also taken part in various projects with “Makin Trad,” a Borders based music initiative funded by YMI, as a percussion tutor and Recording engineer, introducing and helping young borders musicians understand home recording techniques and technology.
Touring composer and musician with X Factor Dance Company, Plan B dance company, Dundee Rep and Edinburgh’s Dance Base.
House band percussionist with Jerry Douglas, Roseanne Cash, James Taylor, Martha Wainwright, Donal Lunny, Karen Matheson, Joan Osborne and Sharon Shannon amongst many others in the Pelicula Films productions of “ Transatlantic Sessions 3” and “Transatlantic Sessions 4” and forethcoming “Transatlantic Sessions 5.”
Other Television appearances include three times house band drummer on the BBC’s nationwide New Year celebrations ( 2000,2004, 2009) and one on Scottish Televisions equivalent show in 2009.
House percussionist for Bafta award winning “Tacsi “ UK television series and subsequent CD release.
Numerous recordings and tours throughout Scotland , the UK, Europe, Scandanavia, Asia and North America over the last two decades with bands such as Capercaillie , Mouth Music ( two Billboard top ten world music albums), The Micheal Mcgoldrick Band , Mr McFall’s Chamber, Blazin Fiddles, Afro Celt Sound System and The String Sisters, working with Liz Carrol from The USA , Annbjorg Lien from Norway, and numerous other luminaries from the Celtic music scene.Recently I had the pleasure of contributing percussion to Nicola Benedetti’s latest cd release.
I have performed in venues such as the Sydney Opera House, Womadelaide , the Kennedy Centre, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Borneo’s Sarawak Rainforest Music Festival amongst many others.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I became aware of the richness and variety of Scottish traditional music whilst at Art College in Edinburgh in the 1980’s, there was a very vibrant session scene back then and I found myself in the midst of it, learning from some truly inspiring musicians and singers. I soon made the decision to try and make my career in music and through those early sessions met many of the bands and colleagues I am fortunate enough to know and work with today.A late session or two with Charlie Mackerron led to my work with Capercaillie, and Shooglenifty sprang from those late night sessions in various Edinburgh Old town haunts.Working in the field of Scottish music can be a deeply rewarding experience from any perspective, be it teaching, performing recording or travelling.I count myself as extremely fortunate and priviledged to be able to make my living doing something that I love, and to be able to make wee contribution of our rich cultural heritage.
Any particular career highlights?
An afternoon jamming with the Waterboys in Windmill lane in the late 80’s, having just had my first flight..The stage invasion of a Shooglenifty gig at Sydney opera house was fun..A Womad tour of Australasia where we heard the mighty Nusrat ali Fateh Khan under the stars in Adelaide, dancing with singing Sardinian sheperds in New Zealand celebrating their newly purchased electric sheep shears..
More recently working with some wonderful singers and instrumentalist on the Various Transatlantic Sessions tours and Television shoots..James Taylor was a gent, working with such legends as Danny Thompson is a true priviledge and always fun..too many tales to tell..Sessions at The Orkney Folk Festival..Most recently completion of production of Kaela Rowan’s album Menagerie felt like a big achievement .Our Dawn Concert at the Rajasthan International Folk Festival and our collaboration with Shooglenifty with some of the most extraordinary Rajasthani musicians this October,under the full moon in the beautiful Meranghar Fort were both unforgettable experiences.
What are your plans for the future?
Completion of Shooglenifty’s latest album is an immediate goal, also a brief tour of Australia after the Woodford Festival in Queensland this Hogmanay which will be a great way to kick off Shooglenifty’s 25th anniversary year, returning for our birthday concert at Celtic Connections. Also planning a recording some of the Rajasthani collaboration for inclusion on a new album next year.. so more musical adventures!
Read more about James Mackintosh
http://www.shoogle.com
Buy a ticket for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 13th December in Inverness Leisure, start time 7pm. You’ll have a great time!
