Sarah-Jane Summers announces new album

Sarah-Jane Summers

Critically-acclaimed Scottish fiddler based in Norway releases border-crossing album Owerset.

Consisting of top folk and jazz musicians from the UK and Scandinavia, Owerset (Scots for translate) is a unique project borne out of a commission Sarah-Jane wrote for Celtic Connections 2018.

The album presents an exciting new compositional voice that combines Scottish and Nordic traditions with the playfulness of jazz and the sonic explorations of contemporary music. There’s something for everyone, from full-on ceilidh (‘Blether’), virtuosic electric guitar (‘Flit’) and rip-roaring trumpet (‘Fitakaleerie’), to evocative airs and open, ECM-esque soundscapes (‘Owerset’).

Owerset explores Scots and Gaelic words that originate from Old Norse. For example, even the word ‘kilt’ comes from Old Norse. Marriage, fairies, sea mist, crying, and even the staple of the hipster male, the beard, are some of the concepts covered, illustrating the linguistic reaches of the Vikings.

A virtuosic, free-thinking and impassioned performer, Sarah-Jane is a tradition bearer of the old Highland style of Scottish fiddling. She moved to Norway in 2010 and has a master’s degree in Norwegian folk music from the prestigious Norwegian Academy of Music. Also a highly respected improviser, her album of free improvisations (VIRR, 2017) was Album of the Year on BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction.

Artist’s website:  www.sarah-janesummers.com

The Sarah-Jane Summers Band – ‘Owerset’ live:


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