Harp Heaven: Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy with Gráinne Brady & Michael Biggins

Take the Scotland’s instrument, the clarsach (harp), and the newest addition to the traditional music arsenal, the guitar, and throw them in the musical blender of Glasgow and out comes Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy. Superb instrumentalists with a shared passion for traditional tunes, they perform as if sharing one mind.

This rare hometown performance at Celtic Connections is a chance to see the duo in action as recent tours have seen them venture across the USA, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Described as “an electrifying duo” (Fatea), Rachel and Ron deliver an exquisite blend of Scottish tradition and contemporary flair. Influenced by Hair’s Highland roots in Ullapool and Jappy’s North-East heritage, their music glides from crisp strathspeys and heartfelt airs to virtuosic reels and driving jigs.

Fronting the global Celtic harp revival, Rachel described as “A superb Highland Harper” (BBC Radio 2) brings sensitivity and innovation to the clarsach, while Ron is one of Scotland’s most in-demand accompanists, renowned for his rhythmic drive and melodic instinct. Together they are, in the words of fRoots magazine, a “brilliantly simpatico duo”.

Back and Forth is the new album from Cavan fiddle player and composer Gráinne Brady - a lively, tune-filled journey shaped by years spent between Ireland and Glasgow. The music draws on the tunes Gráinne has carried with her since childhood, alongside fresher compositions picked up from friends, sessions and musical collaborators along the way. For this gig, Gráinne is joined by pianist Michael Biggins (The Canny Band, TRIP), whose driving lift and rhythmic flair make for a brilliant duo partnership. Expect pace, energy and plenty of tunes - music that moves, flows and keeps the feet tapping.