Artistic Director Donald Shaw today unveiled a stellar programme for Celtic Connections 2012, sponsored by ScottishPower, with some of the biggest names in folk, roots, world, traditional, indie, blues and jazz performing in Glasgow this January and February.

The 19th Celtic Connections festival will see around 2100 artists from around the world taking part in 300 events in 20 venues across Glasgow over 18 days.

Programme highlights include Béla Fleck and the original Flecktones, The Aaron Neville Band, Bruce Hornsby and guests, Jack Bruce (Cream) with Lau, a Woody Guthrie Centennial, Orchestra Baobab, The Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band, Song for Ireland, a one-off reunion gig with Glasgow’s The Big Dish, and Floating Palace featuring KT Tunstall.

An all-star line-up will assemble to celebrate the life and music of Gerry Rafferty, in a show curated by his daughter Martha Rafferty and long-time friend Rab Noakes, featuring The Proclaimers, Barbara Dickson, Maria Muldaur, Ron Sexsmith and more.

Spearheading the festival’s political strand is a celebration of the Woody Guthrie Centennial with his granddaughter Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. Coming together for the first ever live performance of the The Woody Guthrie Project are Jay Farrar (Son Volt), Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket), Anders Parker and Will Johnson (Monsters of Folk).

Also part of the political strand, the festival will host a UCS Work In 40th Anniversary Celebration, marking 40 years since the conclusion of the historic Upper Clyde Shipbuilder Work In.

The festival celebrates the vibrancy of the folk and trad scene with performances by Shooglenifty, Session A9, Blazin’ Fiddles, Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica, Dónal Lunny, Cherish the Ladies, Matt Molloy Trio and more.

Celtic Connections will launch in spectacular fashion with Béla Fleck and the reunited original Flecktones performing with an array of special guests for the opening concert.

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Cedric Watson, Moussu T, Pura Fé and John Trudell will bring a touch of soul, gospel and blues to Glasgow.

Omar Sosa, Emir Kusturica & the No Smoking Orchestra, Vieux Farka Touré, Faiz Ali Faiz, Orchestra Baobab and Sol i Serena add a world music flavour to the festivities.

The festival, which enters its 19th year in 2012, will run from 19th January – 5th February and is sponsored by ScottishPower.

With an ambitious and adventurous programme which embraces Celtic music’s connections with musical genres and cultural traditions from across the globe, Celtic Connections 2012 will see 2100 artists perform in around 300 events over 18 days in 20 venues across Glasgow. Celtic Connections is programmed and promoted by Glasgow Life.

New venues for the 2012 festival include the Mitchell Theatre, Brel, St Mary’s Cathedral, Platform and Apollo 23 – the new home of the Celtic Connections Festival Club.

Celtic Connections 2012 tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday 25th October. Tickets can be booked online at www.celticconnections.com, by (0141 353 8000) in personat Glasgow Royal Concert Hall or the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket

Celtic Connections 2012, sponsored by ScottishPower

19th January – 5th February 2012.

Source: Celtic Connections