SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Born in Tasmania, Australia with a strong Scottish heritage Malcolm grew up listening to the traditional music of Scotland and Ireland through his parents playing and recordings.

At the age of 12 he won his first fiddle competition at a Westbury Irish Festival, Tasmania. His talent was recognised by many musicians including Scottish guitarist Tony McManus, Irish singer Sean Keane and Irish fiddle player, Liz Doherty.

  Whilst in Tasmania he worked with Australia’s foremost exponent of the Scottish fiddle, Chris Duncan and in 2003 at the age of 13 toured Scotland with the Tasmania Celtic band ‘Tantallon’ and drew critical acclaim for his mature playing at such a young age. He appeared at numerous festivals in Australia and Tasmania and acted as support act for a number of UK touring folk artists in Tasmania.

Malcolm also played side drum in the Derwent Scottish Pipe Band in Hobart, Tasmania. He was accepted as full playing member at the age of 13 after just learning for a year.

He also was a member of the Tasmanian Heritage Fiddle Ensemble and was a guest fiddle player with the Tasmanian Harp Orchestra.

In 2005 Malcolm moved back to the UK with his parents and in 2006 quickly became part of the traditional music scene in Newcastle, Northumberland where he quickly established himself as one of the regions finest young fiddle players.

Malcolm joined the North East’s young folk ensemble, Folkestra early in 2006 until 2009. In 2006 he performed once more with Tantallon at the Festivale Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany.

In 2007 he was a member of SNAP 07, a music group from the North Pennines, Sweden and Brittany and with them performed at venues across Sweden, England and France.

He has also played as support acts here in the North East for Scottish based trio LAU, Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson and Scottish guitarist Tony McManus as well as performing a set with Tony.

In 2008 he performed at Dougie McLean’s Perthshire Amber Festival and also at Celtic Connections on the Danny Kyle Stage. In the same year he performed with Folkestra in Spain and at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

Since arriving in the UK Malcolm has worked and studied with Aidan O’Rourke, Catriona MacDonald, Shona Mooney, Sophy Ball and has studied with Stewart Hardy ( ex John Wright Band)

Malcolm has taught fiddle at Core Music Shop in Hexham, Northumberland and ran workshops on traditional fiddle playing.

Not only is he an outstanding fiddle player but is also an accomplished whistle player .

‘A serious talent….’ Tony McManus, guitarist

‘..fantastic fiddle player…’ Kevin Henderson ( Fiddler’s Bid, Boys of the Lough, Session A9)

“Brilliant player” Anna-Wendy Stevenson- Fine Friday

“Great young player” Will Lamb- Formally of the Fred Morrison band

“A great player” Kris Drever- Fine Friday, Lau, formally of Session A9

“Very good player” Matheu Watson- Fred Morrison band, Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller

In 2009-10 Malcolm studied Traditional Music and Gaelic at the Benbecula campus of Lews Castle College ( University of Highlands and Islands) where his fiddle teacher was Anna Wendy Stephenson.

With fellow young students he was filmed for BBC Alba for a forthcoming programme called Itrad whih features young musicians from around Scotland. He also performed with students at Celtic Connections 2010 in Glasgow.

He also regularly performed throughout the Western Isles, including Harris and Barra along with fellow students and teachers including Iain MacDonald and Will Lamb.