Fiddle player Ryan Young brings new & exciting ideas to traditional Scottish music. Ryan holds both a first class honours & a Masters degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, as well as being a twice in finalist in both the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards & the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, as well as Scots Trad Music Awards ‘Up And Coming Artist of the Year’. He was nominated for the Horizon Award at the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards & was the winner of Folking.com's Best Musician for 2018. Ryan Young, despite his comparatively young years, is already on his way to becoming a folk giant.

Ryan’s fiddle playing is influenced by the great Irish fiddlers, especially Martin Hayes, but focuses mainly on Scottish music, bringing new life to very old, often forgotten tunes by playing them in his own unique way, infused with Irish fiddle stylings. Playing like a man possessed, his performances take the music to an unbelievable level, with fresh melodic ideas, uplifting rhythmic drive & a great depth of dynamics and precision. His sound is distinctive & he always manages to take the listener on an adventurous & emotional journey in any performance. In his own words: “I want to play in a way that allows the music to flow through me, & it is the music that is heard, rather than any technical or lack of technical ability. In the end, I think that playing in a heart-felt way is all that should matter.” That last sentence says everything you need to know about this world-class musician. His technical skill is beyond most people’s reach. It is simply stunning. But when you actually listen to the music that is channelling through him, what takes your breath away is not the technicality, but its emotional intensity & lyricism, passion & sensitivity, & a profound musicality that will touch even the stoniest of hearts.

Ryan will be accompanied by superb guitarist Jenn Butterworth, ‘Musician of the Year’ at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2019 & one of only four musicians shortlisted for ‘Musician of the Year Award’ at BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2019. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, she is a lynchpin of the vibrant & thriving Scottish folk scene, performing regularly with a wide range of artists including her own projects ‘Jenn Butterworth & Laura-Beth Salter’, ‘Kinnaris Quintet’ & experimental folk-jam group ‘The Blas Collective’.

Jenn is also a highly recognised teacher with a wide range of teaching experience, & was recently awarded ‘Tutor of the Year’ at the 2015 Scots Trad Music Awards. She is Lecturer in Practical Studies in the Traditional Music Department of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, is a regular member of the teaching staff for Glasgow Fiddle Workshop & has recently taught for Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the National Youth Folk Ensemble (EFDSS), Halsway Manor & Burg Fürsteneck (Germany).

Ryan Young & Jenn Butterworth were nominated as ‘Folk Band of the Year’ in the Scots Trad Music Awards & the only UK artists to be selected to perform at the Womex Expo 2019. Together they gave a simply amazing performance at STRING JAM CLUB last year & are back by popular demand. The music was exhilarating, magical, mind-blowing & awesome, nearly causing a riot after the first set of tunes. They got TWO standing ovations & THREE encores, & the atmosphere was so exciting that we just had to book them again. This will be an inspirational gig & an unbelievable display of exceptional trad musicianship, and we recommend early booking.

“Ryan Young.....a force of nature.” (***** 5 STARS The Scotsman”)

“Leading the ‘New Wave’ of traditional Scottish fiddlers, virtuoso Ryan Young” (BBC World on 3 - August 2017)

“Young’s playing is so richly expressive, channelling such deep emotion, that it feels like a dramatic performance in a theatre…one feels that here we have a potential heir to Duncan Chisholm for sheer emotional intensity. It’s a remarkably mature debut album from one so young.” (Paul Matheson, Folk Roots 2017)

“Uniquely graceful and expressive playing. A future star of the Scottish fiddle world.” Aidan O’Rourke (Lau)

“His self-titled debut album simply brims over with originality and talent.” (http://www.folking.com August 2017)

“Nuance, wit, risk-taking, contrast and above all a real sense of joy in making music were all there in abundance and Young’s solo feature, where he appeared to have been truly possessed by the melodies, was as exciting as it was uplifting.” (Rob Adams, The Herald)

“Butterworth’s style is what makes her one of the most in-demand musicians in Scotland. There are few guitarists in this country able to so intricately guide a set with melody and rhythm.” (The National Newspaper)

----------

Ryan Young’s Website: http://www.ryanyoung.scot

Jenn Butterworth’s Website:

http://www.jennbutterworth.co.uk

String Jam Club’s Website: http://www.stringjamclub.co.uk

Join Us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/stringjamclub

----------

Tickets £14 are also available in person from the County Hotel (cash or cheque). For any enquiries, please sring String Jam Club on 07930 870233. If you get voicemail, please leave your name & number & we will call you back. 10% off County Hotel restaurant meals 6-7 pm for ticket-holders. Advance table reservation advised on 01750 705000.

DOORS OPEN 7.30 for 8.00 start. ENDS 11.00 PM (approx)

----------

STRING JAM CLUB

WE ARE NOW CELEBRATING 23 YEARS OF LIVE MUSIC!

“The Borders haven of acoustic music" (The List)

Voted the 2nd best gig in the UK by the Guardian.

Club of the Year Nominee - Scots Trad Music Awards 2007.

“Magic happens in small spaces."

We welcome everyone who loves music.

----------

Join our mailing list for regular updates::

thestringjamclub@gmail.com

----------

Thanks to our sponsors: Vixen Records, Sound Station Studio, Borders Certified Chartered Accountants, Hainingside Fine Art Photo Gallery.