"Battlefield Band"
"Battlefield Band"
Inspired by their rich heritage of Celtic music and fired by the strength and vibrancy of today's Scottish cultural scene, which indeed they have done much to create and fuel, they have led and been at the forefront of a great revival in Scottish music. Refusing to be limited musically by suffocating antiquarianism, or musical fashions, they have mixed the old songs and music with a new self-penned repertoire, all played on a fusion of ancient and modern instruments - bagpipes, fiddle, synthesiser, guitar, flutes, bodhran and accordion.
Named after the Glasgow suburb of Battlefield, where the group was formed by four student friends in 1969, they have now been on the world's roads for over 40 years, distilling their own unique form of the Scottish spirit and bottling it in concert and onto disc. They've performed in Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Syria, Jordan, India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, U.S.A., Canada, Uzbekistan, China and the U.K; breaking down barriers and pioneering many new directions which others have followed. Angry, joyful, raucous, contemplative, their music is most importantly - accessible to all.
During the years there have obviously been line-up changes and indeed the band are remarkable for the smooth and organic way in which these changes have taken place. Their continued creativity, freshness and enthusiasm is due to the positive way they have viewed, and used, these changes - and of course the new musicians themselves have been of prime importance. Musical evidence of these changes can be heard on their many albums made over the years.
Sean O'Donnell (vocals/guitar)
A highly accomplished guitarist and singer, Sean was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. He moved to Scotland in 1996, and quickly became involved in the music scene, playing with the award- winning Scots Irish band Beneche and The Emily Smith Band, as well as with Michael McGoldrick and Daimh. He joined Battlefield Band in 2005 and has become a keystone of the group's sound: his soulful vocals and driving rhythmic guitar adding so much to the mix. As a recent reviewer noted: “O'Donnell is a revelation; from his heartfelt & moving vocals when taking the lead, and his subtly complimentary harmonies when supporting a song, he is a truly expressive singer who has matured and developed over his period with the group”
Ewen Henderson (fiddle/bagpipes/whistles/piano/vocals)
Ewen hails from the Scottish West Highland town of Fort William, and has been naturally steeped in the traditional music, Gaelic language and culture of the area. Now in his early twenties, he started learning the fiddle at the age of five, and has since mastered an impressive array of other instruments, having had the privilege of being taught by many of the true masters of West Highland traditional music, from Aonghas Grant Snr on fiddle to Angus MacColl on bagpipes, whilst also being influenced by his strong family musical heritage. Ewen is superbly talented, and has quickly established himself as a strong musical force within the band. We look forward to playing with him and to introducing another great musician to our worldwide audience
Alasdair White (fiddle/whistle//bazouki/Highland and small pipes)
An award-winning fiddler from an early age, Alasdair comes from the Isle of Lewis, one of the Gaelic speaking Outer Hebrides where music and culture remain strong daily forces. He joined Battlefield Band at the age of 18, as complete a musician and composer as any of us had heard. Since then, he has toured the world several times over and worked on many fine albums including a highly acclaimed debut solo CD, confirming his reputation and firmly establishing himself as a unique talent & virtuoso fiddle player. In these past few years, his musicianship and writing have had a great influence on Battlefield Band’s repertoire and continuing success, and playing with them has given him the wider audience that his music deserves.
Mike Katz (Highland pipes/small pipes/various whistles/bass guitar/guitar)
A superb and versatile musician, bagpiper Mike Katz joined the Battlefield Band line-up in late 1997and has contributed massively to the music and accessibility of the band. A fine piper from an early age, a multi-instrumentalist, and a 'musician's musician' with eclectic influences, Mike comes originally from LA - where he learned and played in the same pipe band as another band alumni; Eric Rigler. Initially moving to Scotland aged 18 to study at Edinburgh University, Mike put down roots and has lived here ever since, playing in various bands - including the Scottish Gas Pipe Band & Ceolbeg before joining Battlefield Band in 1997 - and in the process earned himself a deserved reputation as a truly excellent musician and tunesmith .
