Scottish Fiddler
Accordionist
Tunesmith
Ian Robertson
and his Scottish dance band
Ian started young – he played for his first dance at the age of about 8 with his father, Alan and sister Judith. The early years were spent learning the craft under the expert leadership of his Dad who had led his own band, The Chiltern Ramblers for 25 years before Ian and his sister Judith were old enough to know much about it!
Ian with Frank Reid's Band
In the early 1980s, Ian played for his first Scottish Country Dance with Dad and Judith. That was for the South Wales Branch of the RSCDS. The Scottish dance scene was vibrant at the time and Ian was soon playing fiddle occasionally with most of the top bands in the South of England. His first regular gig was with Frank Reid’s band, with whom he recorded his first LP.
In 1987, Ian made his first trip to Scotland on his own and spent a glorious 10 days or so meeting a range of top musicians, many of whom are now sadly gone. He formed a particular friendship with Bill Black and spent many years visiting him whenever he was in Scotland. Ian was thrilled to be asked by Bill to join the band for a tour of the Outer Hebrides in 1987 and also played with the band on a number of occasions at Fiddle & Accordion clubs and once even played in the Garrison Theatre with Bill at the Shetland Festival.
Ian with Bill Black's Band
Sound Company
In 1990, Ian formed Sound Company with Judith and Chris Oxtoby on accordion. The band was a firm favourite for its innovative sound and refreshing approach to the music. For 13 years, they played throughout the South of England and continental Europe, were familiar faces at major folk festivals including Sidmouth and Chippenham and were regularly invited to guest at the Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival. Their 3 recordings, Best Foot Forward, Free Spirit and On Track, are still widely used today.
After working overseas for a couple of years, Ian returned to the music scene in 2005 when he came back to the UK. After years as a fiddle player, Ian re-emerged as an accordionist and has led his own band in that role ever since.
At the same time as resuming his SCD career, Ian spent several years writing and performing with Rob Alderton. That project grew into Landing Party, a 7-piece concert band which met with great acclaim but sadly no financial future. It’s good to try new things though!
Landing Party
In 2013, Ian went to New Brunswick, Canada to play for the TAC Summer School. There he renewed friendships with the likes of Muriel Johnstone and Jim Lindsay. Over the years since then, Ian has played and recorded with Muriel and Jim, both separately and together. Ian enjoys these opportunities immensely and is flattered to have the chance to play fiddle with other leading musicians including Sandy Nixon and Ewan Galloway when they head South.
Ian with Muriel Johnstone
Ian with Jim Lindsay
In 2016, Ian took the plunge and became a full-time musician. His diary filled up and is now playing several times a week at home and abroad.
Having learned the craft from his father, Ian is particularly pleased to continue the tradition and the Ian Robertson Scottish Dance Band has his own son, Tom, as a regular member on drums. Along with Heather Jeffery as the regular fiddler, the band is a firm favourite on the Scottish country dancing scene and also plays regularly for weddings, parties, reeling events and ceilidhs.
Life is good!
Ian with Sandy Nixon's Band
Ian with Ewan Galloway
The Ian Robertson Scottish Dance Band