Multi-talented Ross and Ali have a crack at Perth

The Celtic Sessions series of acoustic music gigs in Perth Concert Hall is opening in March with the much-anticipated pairing of Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton.

The Perthshire-raised musicians were winners of the best duo category at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2017 and nominees for the same award in 2018. Ross and Ali got started as schoolboys, training with Gordon Duncan as two of his top piping protégés back during his days with the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band.

On March 30 multi-instrumentalists Ali and Ross are back in Perthshire, supported by the Perth-based ‘Gordon Duncan Experience’, a Celtic big band of fledgling trad, jazz and classical musicians that takes its name from the much-missed legend. The GDE will be presenting their interpretation of Gordon’s classic album, ‘Circular Breath’.

Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton have previously released a recording called ‘Symbiosis,’ critically acclaimed for its mix of high octane jigs and reels combined with startlingly beautiful slow airs.

For the date in Perth on March 30 they will take the 2018-release, ‘Symbiosis II’ out on the road for one of its first live outings.

Packed full of their own compositions, partly commissioned by some of their fans, Ross and Ali have welcomed lots of their fellow friends and musicians to record on this album.

Symbiosis revolves around skilfully played guitar, cittern, whistles and bagpipes.

The arrangements also include a full string section, the extensive use of synthesisers, drum kit and bodhran. The result is a much bigger sound with more adventurous and epic arrangements.

Ross said: “This visit to Perth will be interesting, we have not done Symbiosis II live very much yet. Playing with us will be two other players, guitarist Jenn Butterworth (Kinnaris Quintet) and drummer extraordinaire Paul Jennings (Croft No Five) making it a quartet.”

Looking at how the past month has been and what lies ahead, Ross told the PA there’s much to keep him and Ali busy: “It’s been pretty mad for us, what with Celtic Connections just past.

“I’ve had my place full working with Treacherous Orchestra and Ali has been involved with creating the music for a computer game, ‘Bard’s Tale’ and he has his other band, Blind Dogs.

“We’ve started working on another album, just me and Ali playing on our own and we hope to release some singles and having involved some singers we met at Celtic Connections, maybe do an EP.

“We’re touring in March and then it goes full on with the summer festivals. We’re really looking forward to playing for the Celtic Sessions.”

Tickets £16, concessions £14 from www.horsecross. co.uk