Breakfast in Balquhidder, Tea in Edinburgh?

Orchestra Macaroon debut dates

Orchestra Macaroon is a new phenomenon. Based on an island which is little more than a lump of slate at the edge of the Atlantic, they have developed a new band and produced a new CD which is international in influences and global in its outlook!

Orchestra Macaroon is an eight-piece international, multi-talented band (Scottish, Irish, Welsh and Chinese). Around a core of piano, double bass and drums, Orchestra Macaroon use flugal horn, Chinese yang qin, exotic percussion, and four varieties of bagpipes, resulting in a joyous mix of infectious melodies and rock-steady rhythms.

Led by Edinburgh Mela Musical Director and former Waterboy Colin Blakey, partner Phil Bull and fellow Easdale Islander Steve “Wee” Brown, the band also includes several Edinburgh Mela music collaborators with Kim Ho Ip from Hong Kong, outstanding Irish percussionist Keiran Gallagher, pipers Patrick Martin and Stephen McNally, fiddler Steve Wickham and jazz trumpeter Lorne Cowieson.

In November the band make their first foray south of the Clachan Bridge, playing dates in Edinburgh and Glasgow to launch their new CD, Breakfast in Balquhidder. From the joyful Arriving in Oban, the jazz-influenced Auga, the lively oriental sounding title track to the Irish jig rhythms of The Irish Sea, the music combines global influences with deep loping grooves! Not music to sit still to!

You can listen to and buy Breakfast in Balquhidder online at www.theshipbuilders.com You can also find out about the band – and add your own drone to the Drone Zone! (CD also available in good record shops!)

Listings

Wed 17 Nov Scottish Carnival Arts Centre £7 (£5)

8pm Albion St, Glasgow 0141 552 8637

Thur 18 Nov Bongo Club £10 (£8)

8pm Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh 0131 228 1155

For more press information, interviews, photos, CDs phone Morag Neil, tel 0131 557 5918, mob 0771 288 0965 Email moragneil@blueyonder.co.uk