Shetland vocalist Jillian Isbister (16) has triumphed at this years Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, winning a coveted ‘Danny’ award for her performance during the festival’s ‘Open Stage’ event, the first occasion such an award has been won by a Shetland based artist.
The awards, named after the late Danny Kyle who introduced and then compared the open stage event for many years, are presented at the end of the three-week long festival to the outstanding acts who performed on it over the duration of the festival. Only seven are awarded annually and given that there are over 100 different acts from all over the world taking part in this specific event, it makes Jillian’s success all the more remarkable and important.
Jillian was invited by the Celtic Connections promotions team to return to Glasgow last Sunday, the final night of the 2005 festival, to perform another set on the open stage in the company of the other winners, following on from her initial appearance there the previous weekend. Queues formed early for the totally sold out event and she once again stunned the audience with her mature vocal performance, delivering a set that included two songs written by Marie Williamson from Whalsay – ‘Reflecting Shadows’ and My Smaa Temple – Me’, (a number co-written by Jillian) as well as her much acclaimed version of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’.
Following that appearance, she also secured a high profile slot at the Celtic Connections festival club later in the evening, another event which sold out well in advance.
“I’m so delighted, honoured, gobsmacked and still canna really believe it” said Jillian, following the announcement of the award. “The whole experience is one I will never forget”.
An immediate benefit of her success was a booking to appear at this year’s Stonehaven Festival. The committee of that event annually book a ‘Danny’ winner to appear, due to Danny Kyle’s long standing association with the festival – a booking which in itself can be seen as an accolade.
Shetland Arts Trust Music Development Officer Davie Gardner, who initially put Jillian’s name forward to take part in the event said “We are all absolutely delighted for her, and this success is very much deserved. She delivered two incredibly moving and mature performances and given that the event is open to all ages and attracts over 100 musical acts from around the world, makes this success, at such a young age, all the more remarkable. It will raise her profile both nationally and internationally and I’m sure will only be a stepping stone to even greater success in the future. I’m equally delighted that it gave Jillian the opportunity to showcase the excellent song-writing of Marie Williamson on a national platform”.
As part of her prize Jillian won a plaque, a medal and a bottle of malt whiskey, which she assures everyone will be given to her parents for safe keeping.
Jillian was one of three Shetland acts who appeared on Celtic Connections Open Stage this year. Unst fiddler Steven Spence (accompanied by Alice Mullay and Jonathon Ritch) and young fiddle group ‘Swinging Fiddles’ also made highly acclaimed appearances during this years event.
For further information contact Davie Gardner on (01595) 697550.
