Getting the Hornsby: Virginia-born singer is in Glasgow this evening Pic: Jimmy Ienner Jr
Danny Kyle's Open Stage
- Mon 30 January, 5:00pm
- Free
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall
Hosted by Danny Kyle's good friend Liz Clark, the Open Stage is a chance to see new musical talent as they try to win a coveted support slot at next year's festival - and all absolutely free!
Bruce Hornsby & Special Guests and Support
- Mon 30 January, 7:30pm
- £30.50 (premium seats - limited availability), £27.50
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium
The fact that Virginia-born singer, songwriter and pianist Bruce Hornsby has won Grammys in both bluegrass and pop categories (besides his Best New Artist gong in 1986) is just one clue to this hugely accomplished, free-spirited musician's insatiable appetite for different musical challenges. Another is that following his socially conscious folk-pop smash The Way It Is - the most-played song of 1987 on US radio - he subsequently spent five years touring with The Grateful Dead, finding fresh inspiration in their freewheeling improvisational approach. Drawing on a 25-year, multimillion-selling back catalogue that merges pop, jazz, Americana and classical influences, Hornsby is joined tonight by several special Celtic guests.
Bridget St John & Lol Coxhill with the National Jazz Trio of Scotland
- Mon 30 January, 8:00pm
- £13
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite
A stellar summit gathering of musical mavericks, featuring an ultra-rare appearance by 1970s folk-rock heroine Bridget St John - "the best lady singer-songwriter in the country," according to John Peel, on whose Dandelion label she recorded three highly sought-after albums. Lol Coxhill - like St John, a one-time collaborator with Soft Machine founder Kevin Ayers - is regarded by the cognoscenti as one of the world's most adventurously original saxophonists. Hosted by the renowned though unclassifiable Scottish pianist and composer Bill Wells, the show will also preview tracks from his deceptively-named National Jazz Trio of Scotland's new album, Standards Vol. 2.
Woody Sez
- Mon 30 January, 8:00pm
- £13
The political strand within Celtic Connections' 2012 programme overlaps wholly organically with our centenary celebration of Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (1912-1967), the "dust bowl troubadour" who both chronicled and protested the Great Depression, "singing for the plain folks and getting tough with the rich folks." Named for his Daily Worker newspaper column, this dynamic production features four multi-talented actor-musicians - playing guitars, fiddles, banjo, mandolin, dobro, autoharp, dulcimer, jaw harp and spoons - who bring to life both Guthrie's own colourful, arduous story and the rich cast of characters who shared in it. Featuring around 30 classic Guthrie songs, from desolate ballads to defiant rallying-calls, the show pays fittingly heartfelt, uncontrived and freshly topical tribute to a towering folk icon. "Knocks big West End biopics such as Jersey Boys into a heap of dust. . . stirringly captures the rebellious spirit of Guthrie's times, and of our own." (Guardian)
Produced by Mary Cossette Productions in association with UK Arts International
Rebecca Pronsky
- Mon 30 January, 8:00pm
- £10
- City Halls, Recital Room
Brooklyn native Rebecca Pronsky is one of New York's finest singers/songwriters. She visits Glasgow to share a new crop of her dark country-tinged gems. Her latest album Viewfinder was released to rave reviews in April. "...an outstanding lyricist with the ability to stop you in your tracks." (BBC Radio 2)
Brel Sessions
- Mon 30 January, 9:00pm
- Free
- Brel
Organised by Sarah (Admiral Fallow), Laura and Jennifer (Rachel Sermanni Band), the usual night of sessions will feature special guests during the festival.
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