Alastair Fraser and Paul Machlis
Come to Tucson
Fri.
Apr 21 Berger Center Reserved seating is $18 in advance, |
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The finest fiddler in Scotland, Alasdair's
name is synonymous with the vibrant cultural renaissance transforming
the  Scottish
music scene. A consumate performer, Alasdair apeared in Tucson 8 years
ago with his band Sykedance, which featured pianist Paul Machlis, who
will accompany Alasdair on this very special evening. Alasdair has been
featured on NPR's Morning Edition, A Prairie Home Companion, and the Kennedy
Center Honors. He performed for the soundtracks of the films Titanic and
The Last of the Mohicans. His 2004 CD Fire and Grace won the Scots Traditional
Album of the year award.. We at In Concert! consider Alasdair Fraser the
"Martin Hayes" of Scottish fiddling and have long awaited his
return to the stage.
". . . one of Scotland's most valued tradition-bearers." "the expressive gamut from deep Celtic melancholy
to joyful jig, his fiddle imitations of the bagpipe almost unbelievable,
the whole rendered with a humble sincerity, flawless virtuosity and
just about the sweetest sound since Fritz Kreisler." "Alasdair Fraser is recognized throughout the world as one of the finest fiddle players Scotland has ever produced. [His] name is synonymous with the vibrant cultural renaissance which is transforming the Scottish musical scene." —SCOTS Magazine Selected Highland Dancers from the Seven Pipers Scottish Society will also perform at the show  The
most renowned fiddler in Scotland, Alasdair's name is synonymous with
the vibrant cultural renaissance transforming the Scottish music scene.
Celtic Connections, Scotland regards Alasdair as the fiddler who is “the
finest current exponent of the Scot’s tradition.” Living Traditions
praises him: “Stating that Alasdair Fraser is a fiddle player is
like saying Pavorotti can sing.” A virtuoso performer, Alasdair
appeared in Tucson 8 years ago with his band Sykedance, which featured
pianist Paul Machlis, who will accompany Alasdair on this very special
evening. Alasdair has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition, A Prairie
Home Companion, The Thistle and Shamrock and the Kennedy Center Honors.
He performed for the soundtracks of the films Titanic and The Last of
the Mohicans. His 2004 CD Fire and Grace won the Scots Traditional Album
of the year award. He has been featured soloist with Itzhak Perlman at
the Lincoln Center, and has performed with the Chieftains and the Waterboys.
The Scotsman says of Paul Machlis: “A wonderfully lyrical pianist
with a lovely touch…a joy to listen to.”His dynamic fiddling, engaging stage presence, and deep understanding of Scotland's music have created a constant and international demand for his solo appearances and concerts with a variety of ensembles. Alasdair has been a major force behind the resurgence of traditional Scottish fiddling in his homeland and the U.S., inspiring legions of listeners and learners through his recordings, annual fiddle camps, and concerts. He has represented Scotland internationally through performances sponsored by the British Council, and has been awarded touring support by the California Arts Council, with the ranking of "highest priority for inclusion on the roster; considered 'model' in stature." Alasdair's richly expressive playing transports listeners across a broad musical spectrum, ranging from haunting laments from the Gaelic tradition to classically-styled airs, raucous dance tunes, and improvisations based on traditional themes. His vast repertoire spans several centuries of Scottish music and includes his own compositions, which blend a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition with cutting-edge musical explorations. He weaves through his performances a warm and witty narrative, drawing from a deep well of stories and lore surrounding Scotland's musical heritage. Fraser has been featured on over 100 television and
radio shows in the UK, and on several nationally-broadcast programs Alasdair has released several critically acclaimed albums, including the Indie Award-winning Dawn Dance ( Best Celtic Album of 1996), and most recently, Legacy of the Scottish Fiddle, Volume One, on which Fraser and longtime collaborator pianist Paul Machlis pay tribute to Scotland's master fiddle composers of the past 250 years. Fraser has contributed to more than 50 albums as guest artist, and his music has been included on top selling Celtic and New Age compilation albums totaling nearly two million in combined sales.
Through two summer programs that he founded nearly two decades ago - the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School in California and a week-long course on the Isle of Skye - Alasdair has inspired hundreds of aspiring and accomplished musicians. Several of his tunes are now standard in the repertoire for Scottish, Irish, and contra dancing, and can be heard in sessions from Edinburgh to Canberra. His compositions have been featured in new choreography commissioned by the Richmond (Virginia) Ballet and Shiftworks Dance Ensemble. His commissioned works include "Fettercairn Suite" for Whyte & Mackay Distillers. Fraser lives with his wife and two sons in the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California, operating his own Culburnie Records label and making frequent trips to Scotland and beyond for numerous engagements.
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in the US, including CBS Sunday Morning, NPR Morning Edition, A Prairie
Home Companion, and The Thistle & Shamrock. On The Kennedy Center
Honors (CBS TV) Fraser played a special solo tribute to honoree Sean
Connery, a fellow Scot, in a segment that included Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Alasdair has made guest appearances with groups as diverse as Los Angeles
Master Chorale, The Waterboys and The Chieftains, and as featured soloist
along with Itzhak Perlman at New York's Lincoln Center. His film credits
include solo performances on the soundtracks of several major films,
including The Last of the Mohicans and Titanic. 
Fraser
performs in concert as a soloist; with pianist Paul Machlis; with Scottish
guitarist Tony McManus; with cellist Natalie Haas, and with his band
Skyedance, which features new music arranged for fiddle, pipes, flute,
keyboards and percussion. In great demand as a dance musician, Alasdair
plays for Scottish country dancing with pianist Muriel Johnstone. He
also directs the 60-member San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers orchestra.
