Photos by Tom O’Brien
Photos by Tom O’Brien
Photos by Tom O’Brien
Hazel Wrigley is one of the most extraordinary Scottish musicians performing on the international music scene today. Her pioneering, unique and sophisticated sound has made her the accompanist of choice for many of the world’s top traditional musicians. She has worked with a stellar cast of artists including Jennifer Wrigley, Simon Thoumire, Tim Edey, Karen Matheson, Liz Carroll, Hannah Rarrity, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Aly Bain, Kris Drever, Eliza Carthy, Dougie MacLean, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, Fred Morrison, Brian Connelly, Phil Cunningham, Michael Marra, Dick Gaughan and Evelyn Glennie. Hazel’s spell-binding accompaniment technique is steeped in the Scottish style of the northern isles of Orkney and Shetland. Her traditional rhythm and roots style is invigorated with the jazz, blues and ragtime flavours from the legendary late great Peerie Willie Johnson. The San Francisco Chronicle described her as – “A musical polyglot”.
Hazel Wrigley has become one of the most sought after guitarists on the international music scene. As part of The Wrigley Sisters, her dynamic genre-spanning music included touring, writing, recording, teaching and broadcasting (hundreds of worldwide TV appearances including Good Morning America) throughout the world. She has regularly represented traditional music for the British Broadcasting Corporation at global events such as the North American Folk Alliance and the European Broadcasting Union. She has recorded ten studio albums (the first when only thirteen) and collaborated with film makers and storytellers. She has undertaken three world tours and performed in 47 countries during her career, including prestigious venues and events such as Cologne Philharmonie, London’s Royal Festival Hall; Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival; Perth International Festival; The John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts and Broadway.
Throughout her 33-year professional career, Hazel has nurtured next generation musicians with an active guitar and piano teaching schedule. She was actively involved with Live Music Now, a charity founded by Yehudi Menuhin and the largest provider of live music to the United Kingdom’s welfare, education, justice and health sectors. She also represented Scotland at London’s Barbican before its patron, Prince Charles. She has taught at Universities and Festivals extensively throughout the world including the Royal Conservatiore, The Valley of The Moon and Folkworks. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival included Hazel in their iconic summer festival representing Scottish traditional music.
Hazel Wrigley is one of the most extraordinary Scottish musicians performing on the international music scene today. Her pioneering, unique and sophisticated sound has made her the accompanist of choice for many of the world’s top traditional musicians. She has worked with a stellar cast of artists including Jennifer Wrigley, Simon Thoumire, Tim Edey, Karen Matheson, Liz Carroll, Hannah Rarrity, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Aly Bain, Chris Drever, Eliza Carthy, Dougie MacLean, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, Fred Morrison, Brian Connelly, Phil Cunningham, Michael Marra, Dick Gaughan and Evelyn Glennie. Hazel’s spell-binding accompaniment technique is steeped in the Scottish style of the northern isles of Orkney and Shetland. Her traditional rhythm and roots style is invigorated with the jazz, blues and ragtime flavours from the legendary late great Peerie Willie Johnson. The San Francisco Chronicle described her as – “A musical polyglot”.
Hazel Wrigley has become one of the most sought after guitarists on the international music scene. As part of The Wrigley Sisters, her dynamic genre-spanning music included touring, writing, recording, teaching and broadcasting (hundreds of worldwide TV appearances including Good Morning America) throughout the world. She has regularly represented traditional music for the British Broadcasting Corporation at global events such as the North American Folk Alliance and the European Broadcasting Union. She has recorded ten studio albums (the first when only thirteen) and collaborated with film makers and storytellers. She has undertaken three world tours and performed in 47 countries during her career, including prestigious venues and events such as Cologne Philharmonie, London’s Royal Festival Hall; Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival; Perth International Festival; The John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts and Broadway.
Throughout her 33-year professional career, Hazel has nurtured next generation musicians with an active guitar and piano teaching schedule. She was actively involved with Live Music Now, a charity founded by Yehudi Menuhin and the largest provider of live music to the United Kingdom’s welfare, education, justice and health sectors. She also represented Scotland at London’s Barbican before its patron, Prince Charles. She has taught at Universities and Festivals extensively throughout the world including the Royal Conservatiore, The Valley of The Moon and Folkworks. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival included Hazel in their iconic summer festival representing Scottish traditional music.