The Unusual Suspects, have been chosen from more than 600 proposals to perform an official Showcase event at WOMEX – the international World Music Expo.

WOMEX 2005 the world’s premier networking event exclusively dedicated to world, roots, folk, ethnic and traditional music of all kinds is coming to the UK for the first time in late October to be held at the new Sage centre in Gateshead.

The 22-piece Unusual Suspects featuring some of Scotland’s best known musicians, will be showcasing their unique brand of Scottish traditional music arranged for fiddle, pipes, accordions, brass and rhythm. The performance is part of the WOMEX showcase programme crammed with top quality acts from as far afield as China, Puerto Rico and Kyrgyzstan. Their performance is supported by the Scottish Arts Council and will take place on Saturday 29 October.

In addition, the Scottish Arts Council is hosting a ‘Scotland at WOMEX 2005’ reception on Thursday 27 October in partnership with British Council Scotland and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

OffWOMEX the programme of fringe events has provided more opportunities for Scottish music to be showcased with performances from Shetland Fiddler Chris Stout (Fiddler’s Bid) and Michael McGoldrick’s band (from Scottish label Vertical Records).

Ian Smith, Head of Music, Scottish Arts Council said: “WOMEX is the industry’s premier event for world, roots, acoustic and traditional music and presents an ideal networking opportunity for musicians, promoters and other music industry professionals. It is also an opportunity to celebrate through music the distinct and diverse cultures which exist across the world and create new partnerships and collaborations.

“The Scottish Arts Council works hard to promote and develop traditional, folk and acoustic music through events such as Showcase Scotland at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival. The proximity of this year’s WOMEX, just a few miles south of the border, gives us the opportunity to increase the profile of the Scottish music scene to a wider international audience.”

Corrina Hewat, co-musical director of The Unusual Suspects added: "Never before has Scotland had such a traditional Celtic Big Band phenomenon with a frenzy of fiddles, pipes and accordions, mixed with stunning voices, sizzling horns and a powerhouse rhythm section. Now it does!

“The group first performed in 2003 at Celtic Connections, following that in 2004 with a UK-wide tour, getting standing ovations every night, plus being nominated for Live Act of the Year in Scots Trad Music Awards. The concept is simple - the power and beauty of traditional music in a high-energy big-band format where traditional, instrumental sets and songs take on a very contemporary twist! As the quote says "The sound of the century in Scottish music!” Being chosen to perform at WOMEX is recognition of the quality of the Scottish folk music scene which the band represents.

“We are all delighted to be given this opportunity and with 22 of Scotland’s top musicians featured, The Unusual Suspects are guaranteed to make a lot of noise for Scotland!"