On 16th April 2027 Seonaid Aitken (violin & vocals) & Conor Smith (guitar) present a tribute to Stéphane Grappelli & Ella Fitzgerald
A TRIBUTE TO STÉPHANE GRAPPELLI
Award-winning Jazz violinist, vocalist and BBC broadcaster Seonaid Aitken
pays tribute to her French Jazz violin hero Stéphane Grappelli. Having played
with former Grappelli guitarist Martin Taylor MBE, Seonaid tutors at the
Grappelli-Django Camp (The Netherlands) and has guested with some of the
top Gypsy Jazz artists in the world – the genre Grappelli created with the
great Roma guitarist Django Reinhardt. Alongside top Scottish Jazz guitarist
Conor Smith (The Vintage Explosion, The Lone Pine Pickers), Seonaid will
celebrate Grappelli’s career with swingin’ tunes from his solo repertoire – eg.
‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and ‘Ol’ Man River’ – including material from his
Quintette du Hot Club de France days and legendary duets with Classical
virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin.
“Stupendous gypsy jazz player” (THE SCOTSMAN)
“As close to the sound of the great Stéphane Grappelli as I think you’re going to hear in Scotland” (BBC RADIO SCOTLAND)
ELLA FITZGERALD SONGBOOK
In the second half of the concert Seonaid pays homage to her favourite Jazz
vocalist – the ‘First Lady of Song’ – Ella Fitzgerald. The duo will explore some
of Ella’s iconic recordings from her Songbook series such as ‘Ev’ry Time We
Say Goodbye’ and ‘How High The Moon’ and hit singles for Decca Records
like ‘A Tisket A Tasket’ and ‘Dream A Little Dream’. Following her highly
acclaimed Ella Fitzgerald centenary big band show, Seonaid was awarded
‘Best Vocalist’ twice at the Scottish Jazz Awards and continues to celebrate
one of the best singers in the history of jazz.
“a voice that ranges from crystal clear high notes to a low, silky purr” (ACOUSTIC MAGAZINE)
“Seonaid Aitken’s bright vocals and breezy virtuosity are simply a pleasure to behold” (HERALD)
Music in West Kilbride 