Rabbie turns to reggae as Celtic Connections marks anniversary

A reggae tribute to Robert Burns, a 12-hour song marathon, a rare appearance from Africa�s greatest singer and a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the national bard�s birth are to be part of Scotland�s annual folk and traditional music festival.

A reggae tribute to Robert Burns, a 12-hour song marathon, a rare appearance from Africa's greatest singer and a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the national bard's birth are to be part of Scotland's annual folk and traditional music festival.

The programme for the 2009 Celtic Connections festival was launched yesterday by its artistic director, Donald Shaw, with twin themes of the celebration of Burns in the specially designated Year of Homecoming and an exploration of the links between Celtic and African musical worlds.

The 16th festival will see 1500 artists - including Edwyn Collins, Richard Thompson, Nanci Griffith, Dr John and Kate Rusby - performing in 300 events in 14 venues from January 15 to February 1.

Mr Shaw revealed Youssou N'Dour, the revered Senegalese singer, will be performing a one-off show at the festival. Sly and Robbie, the reggae pioneers, will be the stars of the unusual Jamaican Burns Night, which will be celebrated on January 25 at the Old Fruitmarket venue.

The night of music has been arranged in reference to the path that the national bard almost took - a one-way ticket to Jamaica, in 1786.

Penniless and embroiled in a knot of complicated love affairs, Burns had accepted the position as a bookkeeper on an estate on the island and had paid for his passage on a ship from Greenock.

However, the poet was persuaded to stay and the ensuing publication of his famed Kilmarnock Edition began his rise to greater fame.

Mr Shaw said: "All the music we play in this country derives from the songs that Robert Burns collected. This concert is a Rasta Burns, if you like, and will maybe be the music that would have come if he had gone to Jamaica. We are pleased that Sly and Robbie and their eight-piece band from Kingston will be coming."

He said of the 12-hour "authentic" marathon of Burns songs: "This is for the purists, and we will attempt to perform 250 Burns songs in that time. Some of the songs are very short, only a minute long.

"I think it will be some kind of Calvinist self-denial performance! I want to call it an endurance test, but anyone who does claim to be there for the full 12 hours should get some kind of reward."

Also celebrating Burns will be Auld Lang Syne, which will star some of Scotland's leading musicians and singers including Dougie MacLean, Karen Matheson, Michael Marra and Karine Polwart.

On Burns Night itself, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra will perform the world premiere of the Homecoming Scotland Suite - eight commissions by leading contemporary composers working in the fields of traditional and orchestral music.

Two acts from the world of rock and pop will also be part of the Burns strand of music but Mr Shaw said he could not yet name them.

The festival, according to a new report, generated £6.8m for the Glasgow area last year.

Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said: "Every year I am amazed at the variety of acts featuring at Celtic Connections. The festival's success is clear to see as it continues to attract renowned artists.

"On Burns Night 2009, Scotland's Year of Homecoming begins, Celtic Connections will be in full swing and I cannot think of a better atmosphere to welcome Scots returning home from all over the world."

Highlights

Youssou N'Dour, the revered Senegalese singer, will play a one-off show.

The Homecoming Scotland Suite will feature the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in collaboration with musicians including Branford Marsalis and Tommy Smith.