Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson (Ireland/Scotland)
Ross Ainslie (Scottish bagpipes, whistles) and Jarlath Henderson (uilleann pipes, whistles) are two vastly talented young men who first played together in 2003 at the William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh. They have since re-joined forces to create a pipe sound that pushes the boundaries of what both Scottish and Irish instruments normally achieve. Dubbed “the new stars of Celtic music,” they’ve crafted music that just bursts with fresh energy.
They’ve been called “two stupendous young musicians” by Mojo Magazine, “simply outstanding” by Songlines, and “ridiculously talented” by the Glasgow Herald.
A County Tyrone native, Henderson is a three time All-Ireland Champion Uilleann Piper. He became the first Irish musician to win the prestigious title of BBC “Young Folk Musician of the Year” in 2003. Ainslie hails from Perth, and is a former member of the Grade 1 Vale of Atholl pipe band. He has performed with Flook, Dougie Maclean and Salsa Celtica.
Their debut album was the critically acclaimed Partner’s in Crime and they have since released a follow up. Air-Fix was recorded in a live setting over a four day run in Gorbals Sound Studios, Glasgow giving the album a definite “band sound.”
The boys will be joined by Jordon McConnell on guitar.