Shetland fiddler Christopher Stout, of Fiddlers’ Bid fame, is due to make a return visit to Shetland in November for two much anticipated concerts, this time fronting his own band, the highly acclaimed Chris Stout Quintet.

The group first came together in 2003 performing alongside Swedish band Vasen in the Queens Hall in Edinburgh, before going on to complete a highly successful tour of the UK to launch Chris first solo album ‘The First o the Darkenin’. The album received rave reviews in the national and international press including being named as ‘Album of the Month’ in the influential music magazine ‘Songlines’. The reviewer said “Stout’s style is free and expressive – his voicing on Da Day Dawn is one of the finest, most intense expressions on the fiddle I have ever come across. This album is highly recommended if you want a taste of where Shetland fiddle innovation is heading”

To deliver this exciting new sound Chris has formed his own group which includes an impressive line up of internationally acclaimed musicians including Fraser Fifield of Salsa Celtic fame on saxophone, Malcolm Stitt (Boys of the Lough) on guitar; Catriona Mckay (Fiddlers Bid) on harp and piano and Graham Steven (Fraser Fiefield Trio) on double bass.

The groups sound is nothing if not eclectic, touching on traditional, Scandinavian, jazz, folk and world music influences, among others. Suffice to say that seldom in the scope of traditional music will you witness such a powerful combination of technical expertise and sheer musicianship taking the already rich Shetland fiddle tradition to new and exciting levels of innovation. Although still grounded in his traditional roots, Chris is nevertheless not afraid to explore new musical territory.

The Shetland concerts, promoted by Shetland Arts Trust as part of their Music Development Project, take place in the Baltasound Hall, Unst on Friday the 12th November with local fiddler Steven Spence in support, plus a short set from some of the islands talented young fiddlers. Then on Saturday the 13th November the concert moves on to the wonderfully acoustic surroundings of the Methodist Church, Lerwick with Shetland’s incredible young vocalist Jillian Isbister providing the support.

Music Development Officer Davie Gardner said “These gigs will appeal to music lovers of all persuasions and all age groups. I’m looking forward to taking this particular concert to Unst as we always get great audiences up there and it will also form part of an international music seminar taking place in Shetland that weekend. Equally the Methodist Church in Lerwick is a wonderful venue for a concert, and should provide a terrific backdrop for the excellent music on offer. Hopefully there will also be some exciting musical collaborations to look forward to along the way, but you will have to come to the concerts to find our exactly what these are”.

Tickets for the concerts are now available from Skibhoull Stores, Baltasound and High Level Music in Lerwick.

Following the Shetland gigs the group will travel to Orkney for a concert in the Stromness Town Hall.

For further information contact Davie Gardner on (01595) 697550.