LIVELY MINDS AT THE CROSS

Every first and third Tuesday of the month, Noon to 1.30pm, Main Hall at the Cross (Albyn Place, previously Queen's Cross Church)

Lively Minds provides a programme of events involving presentations from invited speakers from a diverse range of subjects and topics, all presented in an accessible and engaging manner.

Meetings take place in the Main Hall at Fountainhall at the Cross (previously Queen's Cross Church) and it is open to everyone. We start with a sandwich lunch and tea/coffee at noon followed by one hour presentation from around 12.30 pm until 1.30pm. £5 entry which includes lunch.

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Scots Fiddle Old and New 

with Alastair Savage and Gregor Blamey

The Lively Minds team is delighted to welcome Alastair Savage and Gregor Blamey for a very special meeting  featuring music from Neil Gow, Scott Skinner and some of Alastair's own compositions. 

About the speakers...

Alastair Savage is originally from Ayrshire and has performed traditional and classical music throughout his life. He was winner of the ‘Land O’ Burns’ Scots fiddle competition in his youth and has been a member of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra since 1997 touring Japan, China, South Korea, USA, South America and throughout Europe. As traditional fiddle soloist he has broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio Scotland, on national radio in the USA and has made seven critically acclaimed albums featuring the great Scots fiddle composers of centuries past alongside his own unique compositions. The most recent of these is the album ‘Where The Good Ship Lands’ released in August 2024 alongside acclaimed cellist Alice Allen. His music has been used by BBC Alba for documentary purposes and in 2021 he was shortlisted for a Scottish Award in New Music in recognition of his compositional work. As a session musician he has recorded with many top artists crossing different musical genres including Belle and Sebastian, Karen Matheson, Justin Currie and Ricky Ross. 

Alastair will be accompanied on piano and accordion by Gregor Blamey, originally from Fife. He studied piano with Fali Pavri and trumpet with John Gracie at the RSAMD (now the RCS) and after graduating, he furthered his studies by completing the Certificate of Jazz and Jazz Diploma courses at St Andrews University. Gregor has enjoyed a varied musical career as a pianist, giving solo recitals and regular performances playing throughout Scotland as a wedding and event pianist. Gregor’s military career began in 1998, firstly on trumpet, then French Horn and currently Euphonium. He is currently a Warrant Officer Class 2 and Band Sergeant Major within the Highland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, which is an Army Reserve Band based in Perth. As well as being a freelance musician, Gregor also teaches piano within Dollar Academy. 

‘A must for aficionados, a primer for anyone with a notional interest in Scottish traditional music’ (Herald) 

‘Spectacular in simplicity, scope and delivery’ (Folkwords) 

‘There is a breathtaking effortlessness to Savage’s musical art’ (Bright Young Folk) 

‘A master of the instrument’ (Edinburgh Three Weeks) 

‘Panache, grace and affection’ (Scotsman) 

www.alastairsavage.co.uk

Join us at noon in the Main Hall at Fountainhall at the Cross (Albyn Place) 

for a sandwich lunch before the talk. £10 entry

PLEASE CONFIRM ATTENDANCE IN ADVANCE
BY E-MAILING ALLAN PATERSON
( e-mail: allanp.silvercity@yahoo.co.uk )

This will greatly assist with catering for the event. 

SEE YOU ALL SOON!