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MIKE VASS | | fiddle, backing vocals
Widely regarded as one of Scotland’s finest young fiddlers, Mike hails from Nairn, in Scotland’s tradition-rich north-east. He began learning fiddle at school and was subsequently taught by the renowned fiddler and composer Ian Hardie, a founder member of the legendary band, Jock Tamson’s Bairns. Between the ages of 11 and 14, Mike won two gold medals at the Royal National Mod, Scotland's Gaelic music festival, and was voted 'Most Promising Musician' at the Oban Music Festival, as well as playing with the Highland Region Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.
Mike performed in a duo for more than ten years with his pianist/singer twin sister Ali, and they were nominated as 'Best Up and Coming Act' in the 2007 Scots Trad Music Awards. Both Mike and Ali feature in the international ensemble Fiddle Rendezvous, alongside US multi-instrumentalist Bruce Molsky, Irish fiddler Gerry O’Connor, Gaelic singer/harpist Mary Ann Kennedy and Breton guitarist Gilles Le Bigot. Following its debut performance at Celtic Connections in 2008, the group toured Scotland as part of the Scottish Arts Council’s Tune Up programme.
A runner-up in the 2007 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition, Mike was subsequently invited to tour with the 2008 finalists as an accompanist. An avid composer of tunes, in 2008 he won the inaugural International Niel Gow Fiddle Composition competition, with his tune 'Cavers of Kirkcudbright', featured on Malinky's 'Flower and Iron' album.
Mike is also a highly experienced tutor, having led numerous workshops for the Fèis movement in the Highlands, and continues to teach at the Scots Music Group and Pilrig Fiddlers in Edinburgh, as well as the Get Reel traditional music project in Stirlingshire. He now leads the Midlothian Ceilidh Trail project. Mike also features on Volume 1 of The Complete Songs of Robert Tannahill, produced by Dr Fred Freeman.
more: MARK DUNLOP :: STEVE BYRNE :: FIONA HUNTER :: DAVE WOOD |
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