The Unusual Suspects is a musical amalgamation of some of the best and most versatile of Scottish musicians, most of whom are steeped in their own musical traditions. Dubbed "Scotland's national folk orchestra", the band will be performing seven concerts throughout the country between October 25th and November 5th as well as appearing at the prestigious Womex (World Music Expo) Festival taking place this year in Gateshead. 

Nominated in 2004 for 'Live Act of the Year in Scots Trad Music Awards', the combo features a frenzy of fiddles, pipes and accordions, mixed with stunning voices, sizzling horns and a powerhouse rhythm section. Under the direction of The Unusual Suspects' founders and co-leaders Corrina Hewat (harp and vocals) and David Milligan (piano), the band will be recreating the unique and electrifying sound that prompted standing ovations every night of their 2004 tour of the UK.

They will be performing music from their highly acclaimed debut CD - Live in Scotland, as well as some new music that encompasses everything from re-workings of Scots traditional music and song to material penned by some of Scotland¹s leading folk and jazz musicians, many of whom will be performing with the band.

For this, the second of the 2005/06 TUNE UP tours, funding from the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund, has enabled The Unusual Suspects to tour throughout Scotland taking in smaller venues around Scotland that have previously missed out on this unique experience.

For this TUNE UP tour, The Unusual Suspects again boasts some of the finest and best-loved players around:

FIDDLES - Catriona Macdonald and Aidan O¹Rourke from Blazin Fiddles, Jonny Hardie from the Old Blind Dogs, Gavin Marwick from Cantrip, Eilidh Shaw from The Poozies and introducing the hot new Borders talent Shona Mooney, the youngest Unusual Suspect.

PIPES, FLUTES & WHISTLES - Ace piper Finlay Macdonald is joined by Annie Grace (also on vocals) from Iron Horse, and Fraser Fifield from the Chris Stout Band.

ACCORDIONS - The sublime Emily Smith on vocals and accordion, and Brian McAlpine from the fantastic Session A9.

BRASS - The horn section features four of the leading exponents of their instruments in the UK today: Ryan Quigley from Salsa Celtica, Eamonn Nolan from SNJO and Skye-based musicians Nigel Hitchcock on saxophone, and trombonist (and horn section leader extraordinaire) Rick Taylor, whose CV reads like a 'who's who' of pop music, jazz and folk.

THE RHYTHM SECTION features Blazin Fiddles' guitarist Marc Clement, and from Deaf Shepherd, one of Scotland¹s leading Scots singers John Morran on vocals & bouzouki. The powerhouse rhythm section is completed by drummers James Mackintosh from Shooglenifty and Donald Hay from Mystery Juice, with Kevin McGuire from the Karine Polwart Band on Bass.

LISTINGS INFORMATION: TUNE UP TOUR DATES
Tues 25 October 2005
Aros Hall, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
8.30pm
£10/£8
01688 302211

Wed 26 October 2005
Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries
7.30pm
£10/£6
01387 253383
www.dgaa.net

Thu 27 October 2005
Queen¹s Hall, Edinburgh
8.00pm
£16/£14
0131 668 2019

Fri 28 October 2005
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (part of Big Big World Festival,)
8.00pm
£15/£13
0141 353 8000

Sat 29 October 2005
The Sage, Gateshead
(part of WOMEX - £18 includes entry to all venues and concerts on the
day).
www.womex.com

Sun 30 October 2005
The Music Hall, Aberdeen
7.30pm
£14/£13/£10
01224 626039

Fri 4 November 2005
Assembly Rooms, Wick, Caithness
8.00pm
£10/£8
01463 234234

Sat 5 November 2005
Perth Concert Hall
8.00pm
£12/£10
01738 621031