 |
| The Music of Spey, Andy Imbrie and Ralph Gordon |
Calum’s first recollection of playing for dancers was in George Square in Glasgow in 1953 on the eve of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Coming home from a fiddle lesson through the huge crowds assembled there, he was prevailed upon by the celebrants to get the fiddle out and play for the Eightsome Reel and Strip the Willow. The technique of the dancers didn’t quite measure up to their enthusiasm, but a good time was had by all.
His first forays into Royal Scottish Country Dancing were in the late 70’s when he became a frequent guest fiddler with the Schiehallion band from Vancouver, BC.
Since then he formed the Cairngorm band and the Skerryvore band, both based in the Pacific Northwest, and most recently formed The Music of Spey with Andrew Imbrie (piano) and Ralph Gordon (cello and bass).
He also plays dances both with Lisa Scott of Portland and with Muriel Johnstone, now living in Houston.
 |
| Calum and Muriel at TAC Summer School 2002 |
Calum is known for the infectious energy and drive of his music and his impeccable strathspey style.
His guest appearances include playing with the Washington DC based Terpsichore band and with Bobby Brown’s Scottish Accent band.
He has played and taught at many dance camps including Pinewoods, Ramblewood, Asilomar and the Teacher’s Association of Canada Summer Schools in Vancouver and Toronto. Along with his band The Music of Spey, Calum taught at The Pearl Holmberg Dance Music Workshop weekend in Vancouver, BC in 2002 and again in 2003,
He has played for dances in Scotland, England, Australia, Japan and in Canada and the US.
|
