ECLECTIC MIX FROM CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2011 ON BBC ALBA

Celtic Connections 2011 has returned to Glasgow for its 18th year and BBC ALBA is in the thick of it and is delighted once again to bring viewers an exciting programme package covering some of the top performances and a variety of acts from this year’s event.

BBC ALBA viewers can enjoy a mix of concert performances and more intimate events from one of the world’s largest and most prominent winter music festivals around.

Cuirm @ Celtic continues on Saturday 5 February at 9pm with Julie Fowlis presenting highlights from the Sharon Shannon Big Band concert. The Irish accordion queen is in concert from Glasgow's Fruitmarket with guest appearances from contrasting vocalists including Heidi Talbot, Eleanor McAvoy and evergreen singer-songwriter Mundy. Such cross-genre camaraderie has been Shannon’s singular gift since her earliest days with the Waterboys, and she works her magic once again at the helm of a stellar instrumental cast.

Later in the year Cuirm @ Celtic – Taigh Ciùil will feature Gaelic and Irish singers and musicians in the more intimate setting of Glasgow’s Art Club. Presented by Julie Fowlis and from Ireland Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, lead singer of the band Danu, the series will feature music and song from the Gerry O’Connor Quartet, Na Caimbeulaich, Mairi MacInnes and young talent in the shape of Na Seudan Òg – Darren MacLean, Fiona Dunn, Catherine Tinney and Alasdair Whyte. Julie and Muireann will perfom a special set of duets and solo numbers and the audience will also have a chance to enjoy Ciorras, Donal Lunny’s band of all the talents and Colin Farrell.

Hòro Gheallaidh (The Celtic Sessions), produced by MacTV is also filmed in collaboration with Celtic Connections and will return to BBC ALBA for a 5th series later in 2011, with an eclectic mix of music comprising blue grass, folk, celtic and world music of the highest quality.

This year’s series has a distinctly international feel, as musicians from across the globe visiting Glasgow for the Celtic Connections festival drop-in to the Hòro Gheallaidh sessions. A unique chance to listen to artists from all over the world giving special, intimate performances, it’s an exciting opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their music in a way you won’t have seen before.

Shetland group Fiddlers Bid take their native island’s acclaimed fiddle tradition to a new cultural crossover as they join forces with Japanese folk group Humbert Humbert. Similarly Ireland reaches out with the new collaboration of Donegal sisters The Henry Girls and the vintage Americana sound of The Fox Hunt from West Virginia. Fresh from touring with Mumford and Sons, Stornoway and Newton Falconer, rising talent singer/songwriter Rachel Seramani from Carrbridge takes time out of a an already busy year ahead to perform two of her own songs.

An electrifying performer who first appeared on television in Scotland with a memorable showing on Gaelic arts programme Tacsi, now Basque accordionist Kepa Junkera makes a welcome return to Glasgow and BBC ALBA. Also returning to Hòro Gheallaidh is Daimh, one of Scotland’s best traditional bands with the compelling Gaelic vocals of Lewis-born singer Calum Alex Macmillan.

Additional artist include the multi-talented writer and singer from Belfast, Brian Kennedy who has been in the music business for 20 years now as well as Barra’s Cathy Ann Macphee who brings her indisputable track record as one of the first pioneers of introducing Gaelic song to an international audience.

For some of the best television coverage from this year’s Celtic Connections festival tune in to BBC ALBA.