Trumpeter and composer Colin Steele has been described as the Sibelius of Scotland. His music is a joyous celebration of Scottish melody and rhythm, liberated and enhanced by the spirit, sophistication and technique of jazz. His recordings and concerts are warm, life affirming, and thrilling in their effect. He disarms the most hardened jazz fan with the power and beauty of his music and his playing speaks strongly to audiences of all musical tastes. (Even those who insist they don’t like jazz!)

For those who love the work of his Quintet and Stramash, this concert is a rare treat; Dave Milligan has been part of Steele’s original music projects for over 10 years as a sideman and arranger, and the two have been playing together for over 15 years. Milligan is regarded as one of Scotland’s most individual jazz pianists, notably for his unique ability to flavour his music with Scottish folk and Celtic influences without losing the element of creative originality that makes his improvisations so engrossing. Together they have produced award-winning albums and performed throughout Europe to critical acclaim. They started playing together in the 1990’s, and went on to collaborate on a wide variety of projects, including: Midnight Blue Band, Melting Pot, Colin Steele Quintet, Stramash, The Unusual Suspects, Bachue, The Edinburgh Festival Jazz Orchestra and ‘A Funny Valentine’ – a theatre show about the life and music of Chet Baker.

Now, for the first time, Steele & Milligan appear in an intimate duo setting in the beautiful setting of The Stables, Cromarty in the Black Isle. Unmissable.

Colin Steele & Dave Milligan

The Stables, Cromarty, The Black Isle, 
Sunday 13^th November, 4:00pm

“Steele’s lyrical trumpet work bristled with invention, by turns rich and warm or sharp-edged and plangent as the music demanded, while Milligan’s constantly imaginative pianism, rich in harmonic colour and rhythmic momentum beneath his melodic creations, again demonstrated what a fully developed player he is.”

***** THE SCOTSMAN

Source: Cromarty Arts Trust