One of Scotland's most popular festivals, Celtic Connections, ably led by its artistic director Donald Shaw, has unveiled its 2015 programme.
And the quality and depth of its line-up, and the reasons for its enduring appeal, are once again apparent.
In the dark month of January, Celtic Connections not only provides Glasgow with a well timed, enriching burst of eclectic roots, traditional and transatlantic music from a starry cast of performers, but it can also reach into the past to provide contemporary audiences with old names, words and tunes to consider afresh.
For 2015's event, Shaw has not had to reach too far, and has chosen to celebrate a Scottish talent lost far too soon, the remarkable Martyn Bennett, who died 10 years ago at the age of 33.
He will be honoured in the festival's opening concert. But there is also room in this festival to celebrate hand-made instruments, Ewan MacColl, the Irish-born guitarist Rory Gallagher and many others. There will also be an intriguing collaboration with the Edinburgh International Festival, as well as performances by some of Scotland's most talented bands from its fecund traditional music scene. Once again, this festival has proved these are connections worth making.
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