Global jam kicks off with supreme songs and boys from Brazil

OF all the things that divide us in the world, one thing is always there to unite us: music.

Hence the vitality of Celtic Connections, Glasgow’s annual celebration of world, folk and roots music. It brings a glow to winter and attracts performers from around the globe to share their rhythms and melodies, and to learn a few of ours.

Warming the cockles of many a Celtic heart this year will be musicians from Brazil, as Celtic ocean and explore their common musical ground.

In a partnership supported by the British Council and the Brazilian Embassy, festival-goers get to hear class acts including Hamilton de Holanda and Baile do Almeidinha, Yamandu Costa, Renata Rosa, Carlos Malta, Baby do Brasil and Roberta Sa.

Getting the whole thing going on Thursday will be songwriter supreme Laura Marlin, backed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra performing new arrangements of her songs. Saturday sees A Night for Angus, with Shooglenifty and guests celebrating the life, work and inspiring spirit of the band’s late and much-loved fiddling frontman, Angus R Grant.

A note in the programme for this event advises: “There will be dancing.” You have been warned.

Special shout-out for Danny Kyle’s Open Stage, which gives a chance to new musical talent. Danny is the only man I ever played guitar with, after I said I lacked confidence and he showed me some harmonics, over which he sang and played a tune. I still feel great about that.

I should also mention the education programme that accompanies the festival, with free morning concerts and school workshops led by top musicians.

As Alan Morrison, Creative Scotland’s head of music, says: “There is no better way to nurture the musicians and audiences of the future than to give them an up-close experience of the best Scottish and international artists that the festival has to offer. For all we know, someone sitting in the classroom today might well be a folk star of tomorrow.” For full details about the festival, which runs from January 19 to February 5, visit www. celticconnections.com