Roo Geddes – Close

Roo Geddes brings together music from five generations of his family on his inaugural solo album Close, recorded live on his great-great-grandfather’s violin. Named after the Glaswegian tenement ‘closes’ where he grew up, the album stays close to home, featuring performances alongside his mum, gran, and auntie, as well as three never-before recorded compositions by his grandfather. Each track is a vignette from Roo’s eclectic musical upbringing – spanning from ancient airs and pipe tunes to dancing solos and bursts of frenzied fiddle fireworks. Mixed in with the sounds of his family, the album is sewn together by sets of his own original tunes – wee jigs, reels and marches that serve as the stepping stones through his musical heritage. The album was made possible with support from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was recorded in Glasgow with Gus Stirrat at Solas Studios and will be officially released later this month with a launch concert in the Partick Burgh Halls on the 8th of May. Bio; Raised in a deeply musical family in Glasgow, Roo Geddes incorporates a unique range of styles in his fiddle playing. After studying classical violin at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (BMus hons 1.1), he went on to become the first violinist to study a Jazz Masters degree in Scotland. He plays his great, great grandfather’s fiddle and was a finalist in this year’s BBC Young Traditional Musician Competition. His work spans playing with orchestras in the UK and Ireland, as well as with his own award-winning ensembles ‘Roo & Neil’ and ‘Awkward Family Portraits’. He is also busy as a soloist, working with chamber ensembles and local orchestras as well as performing around the world with artists such as Rod Stewart and Dougie MacLean. His work with the Irish folk quartet ‘Dallahan’ and Bluegrass outfit ‘The Black Denims’ has taken him to Mexico, the USA, Canada, Spain, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia in the past year alone. Roo is also a passionate teacher, with an ABRSM diploma in instrumental teaching with distinction. He is a part-time lecturer for the RCS, an ambassador for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, and works with the charity Big Noise in Raploch and Govan. He enjoys working with his community of private students, learning fiddle/violin, piano, composition and improvisation. He has just released his debut solo album ‘Close’, which brings together music from 5 generations of his family, featuring performances from his mum, auntie and gran as well as three pieces composed by his grandfather. Later in the year, Roo is bound for 3 months’ work in India, where he will be studying Carnatic and Hindustani Music. When not playing fiddle, Roo is studying Gàidhlig and training for a marathon.