Biography

Widely regarded as one of Scotland's finest young fiddlers, Mike hails from Nairn, in Scotland's tradition-rich north-east. He began learning fiddle at school and was subsequently taught by the renowned fiddler and composer Ian Hardie, a founder member of the legendary band, Jock Tamson's Bairns. Between the ages of 11 and 14, Mike won two gold medals at the Royal National Mod, Scotland's Gaelic music festival, and was voted 'Most Promising Musician' at the Oban Music Festival, as well as playing with the Highland Region Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.

Mike performed in a duo for more than ten years with his pianist/singer twin sister Ali, and they were nominated as 'Best Up and Coming Act' in the 2007 Scots Trad Music Awards. Both Mike and Ali feature in the international ensemble Fiddle Rendezvous, alongside US multi-instrumentalist Bruce Molsky, Irish fiddler Gerry O'Connor, Gaelic singer/harpist Mary Ann Kennedy and Breton guitarist Gilles Le Bigot. Following its debut performance at Celtic Connections in 2008, the group toured Scotland as part of the Scottish Arts Council's Tune Up programme.

A runner-up in the 2007 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition, Mike was subsequently invited to tour with the 2008 finalists as an accompanist. An avid composer of tunes, in 2008 he won the inaugural International Niel Gow Fiddle Composition competition, with his tune 'Cavers of Kirkcudbright', featured on Malinky's 'Flower and Iron' album.

Mike is also a highly experienced tutor, having led numerous workshops for the Fèis movement in the Highlands, and continues to teach at the Scots Music Group and Pilrig Fiddlers in Edinburgh, as well as the Get Reel traditional music project in Stirlingshire. He now leads the Midlothian Ceilidh Trail project. Mike also features on Volume 1 of The Complete Songs of Robert Tannahill, produced by Dr Fred Freeman.

Mike and Ali Vass

Mike Vass is extolling the virtues of playing in a duo with his twin sister, Ali. With just a fiddle and a keyboard involved, transportation is no problem. They've been making music together "forever," so they have a good understanding.

And the downside? "Well, Ali likes to be right all the time and she's just that little bit older, so she pulls rank. Often," says Mike in a tone of mock long suffering. "But the main thing is, I really enjoy playing with her."

Those who have caught the Vass twins live will have concluded that the feeling is mutual. There's a spark between the pair, a sense of one encouraging the other, driving each other to creative heights and revelling in the music they make, that communicates strongly to an audience.

Read more...
http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/mar06_feature_mike_ali_vass.html

Contact: http://www.myspace.com/mikeandali

Malinky

With their stunning fourth album Flower & Iron, Malinky celebrate their tenth anniversary and introduce a newly revamped line-up, meanwhile underscoring their reputation as one of Scotland's most distinctive and accomplished folk bands. While retaining their hallmark song-based repertoire, performed by three superb lead vocalists and arrayed with tastefully inventive instrumentation, Malinky today unite seasoned maturity with sparkling freshness, casting their musical net wider than ever.

Contact: http://www.malinky.com/

Fiddle Rendezvous

Major talents from five vibrant traditions meet in Fiddle Rendezvous. Three fiddle players with contrasting styles, together with their musical partners, showcasing their individual and distinctive styles and collaborating in unique and original combinations. Hear these musicians with major reputations share a stage.

American fiddler, guitarist and banjo player Bruce Molsky and Gaelic singer and harper Mary Ann Kennedy continue their fascinating discovery of transatlantic common ground; leading Irish fiddler Gerry O'Connor and Breton guitarist Giles le Bigot showcase the super-skilled interplay of two exceptional musicians from highly compatible backgrounds...and the Vass twins, fiddler Mike and pianist Ali, apply sibling closeness on an exciting and sensitive romp through the airs and dance metres of the Scottish repertoire.

String Theory

A current favourite among scientists in search of an all- encompassing hypothesis is super string theory, according to which elementary particles are likened to the notes sounded by a violin string under varying tension. Acclaimed young fiddler Mike Vass co-opts this concept with poetic licence for his New Voices premiere, which seeks to unite the disparate elements of his own creative universe in cahoots with some of his favourite musicians. Within a seven-piece line-up including his pianist sister Ali, piper Calum MacCrimmon and multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie – with everyone also enlisted on vocals – each individual’s response to Vass’s written parts will feed integrally into the performance.

The String theory project is an ideal festival band sound and is available for shows throughout 2010/2011

please conact info@mikevass.com for more information, and to hear some sound samples