Sarah-Jane Summers

Sarah-Jane Summers and Juhani Silvola’s “How to Raise the Wind” presents a collection of beautifully crafted chamber folk music inspired by Scottish and Norwegian folklore. The acclaimed duo blends intricate violin with dynamic guitar, supported by a talented guest quintet. Each track offers a unique listening experience, from high-energy compositions to serene, atmospheric soundscapes. The result is a rich and diverse musical journey that achieves true beauty and depth.

For their latest album Sølvstrøk, Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola created a Chamber Orchestra, adding another dimension to their sound while maintaining the duo’s integrity. It is music that is as wonderfully performed as it is confident and generous; another masterpiece.

Featuring Sarah-Jane Summers, Juhani Silvola, Leif Ottosson and Bridget Marsden, the Siskin Quartet’s ‘Flight Paths’ is an exceptional album. Broad-reaching yet balanced, daring and compelling; I can’t recommend it highly enough.

It seems Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola cannot put a foot wrong and The Smoky Smirr o Rain is a stunning addition to an already impressive catalogue of music. Written and played with skill, flair and feeling, this album is vital and quite wonderful.

Listen to ‘Borrowed Days’, an intense and breath-taking performance from Sarah-Jane Summers and Juhani Silvola, taken from their forthcoming new album ‘The Smoky Smirr o Rain’ which is out in May.

Neil takes us through his Top 10 albums of 2016 including Amy Duncan, Rachel Newton, Jarlath Henderson, Afro Celt Sound System, Sarah-Jane Summers and Juhani Silvola, Questio Io and more.

This week’s mix features all new music, some of which is yet to be released. The one thing they all share is that they push the boundaries in terms of creating original music, and it is this which sets this particular playlist apart.

In Widdershins, Highland airs, jigs, and reels are treated to a Nordic twist and the rebellious tendencies of both players are given free rein to delightful effect. It is an astounding album that deserves wide exposure, and a work for which Sarah-Jane Summers and Juhani Silvola should be resoundingly praised. Rarely is music such an overwhelming joy.

Rant’s début album introduced a band that could shed new light on the Scottish fiddle tradition. Reverie sees them expand on those initial discoveries and take the music to new horizons with peerless elegance.

RANT, featuring four of Scotland’s finest fiddle players, are on tour (including their first London gig) and announce album preview at Celtic Connections with two special guests, Julie Fowlis and Ewan McLennan.

RANT is the joining forces of four of Scotland’s finest fiddle players: Bethany Reid, Jenna Reid, Sarah-Jane Summers and Lauren MacColl, their sound is filled not with a great wall of sound but rich layers of harmony and melodies, beautiful!

Weaving the Land is the first in a new series of mixes from Folk Radio UK. The mixes explore traditional music and its connection to the land. Whether it is recalling memories of it or the longing for return to the homeland. The first mix opens to Irish poet Seamus Heaney and features Liam O’flynn, Kathryn Tickell, Kris Drever, Dick Gaughan and more.