“Keep it Up” are four brilliant and much respected young musicians who have come together to give a higher profile to true Scottish traditional music and to play it with sensitivity and style. Not only is their technical ability undeniable but shining through their performance is a real feel for the music. The debut album from Keep it Up was given its world premier at Tonder Festival in Denmark. Their long awaited second CD On Safari has just been released on Foot Stompin and is available on this website.
Eilidh Shaw: Fiddle and Vocals. Eilidh hails from Taynuilt and comes from a well-known musical family. She plays with her parent’s dance band all over the country, and has played with folk bands Harem Scarem, Drop the Box, Caledon, The Poozies, Charlie McKerron’s ‘supergroup’ Celtic Grooves amongst others. Eilidh has made many T.V. and radio appearances and has released a solo album "Heepirumbo" to great critical acclaim.
Simon Thoumire: Concertina: Edinburgh born Simon, an acknowledged virtuoso of the concertina started his musical career as a piper. He is a winner of the prestigious BBC Young Tradition Award and has played all over the world with trio the Simon Thoumire Three. Simon was a member of Scottish traditional band Seannachie and he currently plays in a duo with pianist David Milligan with whom he released an acclaimed CD “The Big Day In” . When he’s not playing or writing music, Simon is an influential figure on the traditional music scene, the driving force behind the "Hand Up For Trad" the organisation which runs events such as the annual Scots Trad Music Awards and the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award and, a director of Foot Stompin' Records.
Kevin MacKenzie: Guitar. Now a regular on the folk scene, Kevin comes from a jazz background and was voted ‘best musician’ at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. He has toured with Hue and Cry and supported such luminaries as Courtney Pine and Michel Pettruciani. As well as Keep it Up, Kevin currently plays with Trio AAB, Sun Honey and the Finlay MacDonald Band.
Malcolm Stitt: Bouzouki and Highland Pipes. Malcolm from Fort William has played pipes from the age of eight and was mainly influenced by the Tannihill Weavers. He tours the world as a member of the legendary ‘Boys of the Lough ’ and is also currently a member of Deaf Shepherd.
Check out more about the bands trip to Denmark on the Foot Stompin' Celtic Music Discussion Forum: http://www.footstompin.com/forum?threadid=14836
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