Top Scottish singers to celebrate songwriting giant Burt Bacharach
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A stellar line-up of Scottish singers and musicians will celebrate the legendary songwriter and pianist Burt Bacharach in brand-new show Scotland Sings Bacharach.
It will be performed at Aberdeen’s Music Hall on Friday, March 1.
Stars including Blue Rose Code, Georgia Cécile, Justin Currie, Hamish Hawk, Horse, Karine Polwart and Emma Pollock will join a brilliant big band under the musical direction of Stuart Nisbet to pay respect to the giant of 20th century popular music.
Scotland Sings Bacharach will be packed with legendary hits, familiar favourites and the odd surprise as the dazzling array of Scottish musical talent put their very own very special stamp on some of the most recognisable and much-loved tunes of all time.
Aberdeen Performing Arts programming manager Steven Milne said: “We are thrilled to host this very special concert, curated by our friends at Perth Concert Hall to celebrate the legendary Burt Bacharach with an amazing opportunity to see the finest performers Scotland has to offer, all in the stunning surroundings of the Music Hall.”
Commenting on how much she is looking forward to sharing the stage with some of Scotland’s finest performers in the limited run tour, award-winning jazz vocalist Georgia Cécile said: “Having grown up listening to some of the greatest voices of all time – Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick – singing Bacharach's music, I have a deep love and reverence for his work.
"He was the true master at writing quality pop music that stood the test of time – songs that are timeless and sophisticated.
"This concert series is a way for us to celebrate his great work and legacy and I’m so excited to be joining some of Scotland's finest musicians on stage to perform Bacharach’s music.”
Recalling her experience sharing the stage with Burt Bacharach, Scottish singer/songwriter Horse McDonald said: "What an absolute delight to be part of such an illustrious group of my peers singing these iconic songs.
"I have opened for Burt Bacharach and it was one of the most joyful meetings of my life. As a songwriter I was in awe just to share the stage with one of the ultimate songwriters of all time.
"As a singer to have the opportunity to sing these glorious and timeless songs is the ultimate thrill.”
Musical director Stuart Nisbet said: "With such a quality collection of iconic songs, we’re all excited by where we can take this show – of course there will be some faithful reproduction, but with such a width and depth of talent onstage, the potential for new approaches is limitless.”
Burt Bacharach – who died in February 2023 – had his first chart success in the 1950s; the songs he co-wrote with Hal David soundtracked the 60s and 70s; he continued writing worldwide hits into the 80s; collaborated with Elvis Costello and others throughout the 90s and was still performing his songs live right up until 2019.
Tickets are on sale now, available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, phone 01224 641122 or visit the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre or the Music Hall.
