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Seonaid Aitken & Conor Smith: Grappelli & Ella
“As close to the sound of the great Stéphane Grappelli as I think you’re going to hear in Scotland”
“A voice that ranges from crystal clear high notes to a low, silky purr”
Duo - Vocal & Instrumental
Instrumentation
- Seonaid Aitken - Violin & Voice
- Conor Smith - Guitar
Repertoire
GRAPPELLI: Sweet Georgia Brown, Ain't Misbehavin', Stardust, Ol' Man River, Jealousy, As Time Goes By... etc.
ELLA: A Tisket A Tasket, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, Dream A Little Dream of Me, Misty, How High The Moon, Someone To Watch Over Me... etc.
Biography
Seonaid Aitken & Conor Smith
present a tribute to Stéphane Grappelli & Ella Fitzgerald
- A TRIBUTE TO STÉPHANE GRAPPELLI
Award-winning violinist and BBC broadcaster Seonaid Aitken pays tribute to her French Jazz violin hero Stéphane Grappelli. Having guested with former Grappelli guitarist Martin Taylor MBE, Seonaid now tutors at the Grappelli-Django Camp (The Netherlands) and performs extensively with her band Rose Room. The ‘sizzling violinist’, alongside top Scottish jazz guitarist Conor Smith (also a member of Rose Room), 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 and legendary duets with Classical virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin.
“Stupendous gypsy jazz player” - THE SCOTSMAN
- 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. Accompanied by Conor Smith on guitar, Seonaid will explore some of Ella’s iconic recordings from her Songbook series and hit singles for Decca Records. Following her highly acclaimed Ella Fitzgerald big band show in 2017, celebrating the centenary of the great jazz vocalist, 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.
“Seonaid Aitken’s bright vocals and breezy virtuosity are simply a pleasure to behold” - HERALD SCOTLAND
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