SARAH-JANE SUMMERS
TRADITIONAL & EXPERIMENTAL STRINGS / COMPOSITION
"A HOWLING GALE, BRILLIANTLY EVOKED" (THE WIRE)
"DAZZLING FOLK VIRTUOSO" (THE STRAD)
© Andreas Ulvo
SARAH-JANE SUMMERS
Biog//
"wild, adventurous & exciting" (The Glasgow Herald)
Album of the Year 2017(VIRR)
Late Junction BBC Radio 3
Versatile, free-thinking and impassioned, Sarah-Jane's unique style blends the lyricism of traditional music with the emotive rawness of improvisation.
A tradition-bearer of the old Highland style of fiddling, she was taught by the late, great Donald Riddell (1908-1992), who learnt his fiddling from a relative of hers, Alexander Grant of Battangorm (1856-1942). Now based in Norway, she has a masters degree in Norwegian traditional music and free improvisation from The Norwegian Academy of Music.
Her unique skills have led her to perform at folk, jazz, rock, contemporary music and noise festivals worldwide with names like Susanna Wallumrød, Quatuor Bozzini, Highasakite, Julie Fowlis, and RANT.
Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola
Her duo with her husband, Juhani Silvola, has earnt rave reviews. All three of their albums have been awarded the prestigious Top of the World status by Songlines.
"magnificent...absolute masters of their instruments" (Songlines)
"dazzling album" (Tim Chipping, fRoots)
Experimental music
VIRR - solo free improvisations/compositions on viola/violin
Album of the Year 2017, Late Junction, BBC Radio 3
"a howling gale, brilliantly evoked" (The Wire)
"ranging from avant garde classical music over eerie folk to harsh, intense outbursts of free jazz...a unique album"
(Merchants of Air)
Kalopsia - solo improvisations/compositions on viola/Hardanger/violin
“Gjennom fjorten frapperende fiolinstykker...skaper hun øyeblikk av stort musikalsk nærvær.”
(Audun Vinger, jazznytt)
“very modern, avant-garde soloing … compelling & gripping” (Free Jazz Collective)
Solo Tradition
SOLO saw Sarah-Jane return to her roots - fiddle/Hardanger fiddle.
"dazzling folk virtuoso" (The Strad)
5/5 The Scotsman
“A phenomenal collection of music, true solo fiddle with no safety net, this is hard core... fiddling from one of the best... simply outstanding” (Folkworld)
Composition
- Owerset, Celtic Connections commission 2018, CD released 2019:
"a bravura performance, both compositionally and instrumentally."(The Strad)
- Tha Thu Air Aigeann M'Inntinn - BBC animation about the Iolaire disaster
- As The World Turns by arts duo Semiconductor
- Hour-long piece premiered at Oslo World 2020 (Summers/Silvola & Oslo Kammerorkester)
© Jenny Berger Myhre
awards, nominations, recognitions//
SOLO
Album of the Year, The Scots Trad Music Awards 2018 (long list)
VIRR
Fiona Talkington's Album of the Year 2017, Late Junction, BBC Radio 3
Widdershins
Top of the World, Songlines
Album of the Year, The Scots Trad Music Awards 2017 (long list)
Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola
Top of the World, Songlines
BASIC INFO
where//
Scottish, based in Norway
genres//
traditional Scottish/Norwegian, improvised, experimental
favourite things//
rain, wind, dark chocolate, modern art galleries, cryptic crosswords, Le Petit Prince
hobbies//
abstract photography, reading dictionaries,
sewing with tweed
websites//
label//
Eighth Nerve Audio
RELEASES
2008-present//
The Smoky Smirr o Rain - Summers/Silvola (2021)
VINJEFOLK (EP) - Vinjefolk (2019)
OWERSET - Sarah-Jane Summers (2019)
KALOPSIA - Sarah-Jane Summers (2019)
BOZZINI+ - Quatuor Bozzini, S-J Summers etc (2018)
SOLO - Sarah-Jane Summers (2018)
VIRR - Sarah-Jane Summers (2017)
Widdershins - Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola (2016)
Reverie - RANT (2016)
Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola (2013)
RANT (2013)
Mala Fama - Summers/Silvola/Kvam(2012)
Highland Strathspeys for Fiddle (Tuition DVD) (2010)
Nesta - Sarah-Jane Summers (2008)
Sarah-Jane also appears on (amongst others)//
The Bare Romantic - HIGHASAKITE (2020)
Songen om Guro - Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt (2017)
Strange Flowers - Juhani Silvola (2016)
Halley - Comet Kid (Sony Music 2015)
Gach Sgeul - Julie Fowlis (2014 with RANT)
Babylove - Ingrid Håvik (2013)
Window's A Fall - Sacred Harp (2011)
 The Smoky Smirr o Rain |  Owerset |
|---|---|
 Kalopsia |  HCR19CD Cover 4000RGB Smaller |
 Sarah-Jane Summers - SOLO |  VIRR |
 Widdershins |  Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola |
 Summers / Silvola / Kvam - Mala Fama |  Highland Strathspeys for Fiddle DVD |
 Sarah-Jane Summers - NESTA |
WATCH
video//
LIVE PERFORMANCES
2021
29th Sep - Setesdal - Burns på Dialekt
28th Sep - Granvin House, Seljord - Burns på Dialekt
6th Sep - Columbi Egg, Bergen - Burns på Dialekt
12th Aug - Telemarkfestivalen
24th July - Heme Dine - Summers/Silvola
9th July - Førdefestivalen - Summers/Silvola & Sølvstrøk
24th June - Victoria, National Jazz Scene, Oslo - Motvind - Jonas Cambien Maca Conu
27th May - Farsund- Burns på Norsk & Summers/Silvola
26th May - Klepp i Rogaland - Burns på Norsk
23rd May - Nesodden Jazzfestival - POING & Maja Ratkje + Juliana Venter, Jarle Vespestad, Summers/Silvola
28th Apr - 2nd May - Germany - Summers/Silvola - CANCELLED
21st Apr - Raulandsakademiet - Summers/Silvola
9th Apr - St. Croix Huset, Fredrikstad - Burns på Dialekt (Å.Nordstoga, Reinholdt, Summers, Silvola, Kvam)
8th Apr - Riksscenen, Oslo - Burns på Dialekt (Å.Nordstoga, Reinholdt, Summers, Silvola, Kvam)
6th Mar - Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Fiddlers Fiddlers' Rally - Summers/Silvola - CANCELLED
25th Feb - Riksscenen, Oslo - Summers/Silvola
24th Feb - Folk Unlocked - Summers/Silvola
2020
18th Nov - Seljord - with Åsmund Nordstoga/Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt & Summers/Silvola - CANCELLED
10th Nov - Lyngheimtunet - with Åsmund Nordstoga/Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt & Summers/Silvola - CANCELLED
9th Nov - Columbi Egg, Bergen - with Åsmund Nordstoga/Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt & Summers/Silvola - CANCELLED
1st Nov - Moss Kulturhus - with Oslo Kammerorkester & Juhani Silvola - CANCELLED
29th Oct - Riksscenen, Oslo - with Oslo Kammerorkester & Juhani Silvola
23rd Oct - Vinjehuset, 3890 Vinje - with Åsmund Nordstoga/Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt & Summers/Silvola
16th Oct - Victoria, Oslo - with Susanna, Go Dig My Grave
23rd Sept - Ibsenhuset, Skien - with Åsmund Nordstoga/Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt & Summers/Silvola
27-29th Aug - Farsund Folk Festival - with Juhani Silvola
25-31 July - Teaching at Alasdair Fraser's fiddle camp. Sabhal Mór Ostaig, Isle of Skye - CANCELLED
3rd July - Motvind - with Jonas Cambien - CANCELLED
10th June - Nesodden Kirke, Nesodden - with Kelda Quartet - CANCELLED
13th May - Bærum Kulturhus - Summers/Silvola - CANCELLED
25th April - Soddjazz - with Susanna Wallumrød, Go Dig My Grave - CANCELLED
14-16th Mar - recording with Ricercar Consort, Belgium
6th Mar - Strømmen Bibliotek - with Kirsti Bakken Kristiansen (Draumkvedet)
14th Feb - Vinterfestalen, Rauland - with Åsmund Nordstoga / Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt
2nd Feb - Les Folles Journées, Nantes - with Ricercar Consort & Maria Keohane
1st Feb - Les Folles Journées, Nantes - with Ricercar Consort & Maria Keohane
24th Jan - Celtic Connections, Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow - with Susanna Wallumrød, Go Dig My Grave
19th Jan - Celtic Connections, Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow - Owerset
18th Jan - Celtic Connections, The Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow - GRIT Orchestra
16th Jan - Celtic Connections Opening Concert, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - GRIT Orchestra
16th Jan - Celtic Connections School Concert, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall- GRIT Orchestra
12th Jan - Baroque At The Edge Festival, LSO St. Luke's, London - with Susanna Wallumrød
2019
18th Dec - Christmas Concert, Ishavskatedralen, Tromsø - with Harald Bakkeby Moe
20th July - Vinjerock - with Vinjefolk
5th July - Førdefestivalen (Teltet utenfor Pikante) - with Juhani Silvola
4th July - Førdefestivalen (Jølstramuseet) - with Juhani Silvola
3rd July - Førdefestivalen (Gloppen Hotell, Sandane) - with Juhani Silvola
24th May - Folkemusikkveka i Ål (Jegerstugu, Thon Hotel) - with Vinjefolk
23rd May - Folkemusikkveka i Ål (Kyrkjekonserten) - with Vinjefolk
16th Mar - Hamar Kulturhus, NO - with Juhani Silvola
8th Mar - St. Croix Huset, Fredrikstad, NO - Sarah-Jane Summers' Owerset - Owerset release tour
7th Mar - Riksscenen, Oslo, NO - Sarah-Jane Summers' Owerset - Owerset release tour
6th Mar - Kafe Hærverk, Oslo, NO - guesting with Hilde Marie Holsen & Magnus Bugge
12th Feb - Fizzle, The Lamp Tavern, Birmingham, UK - solo - Kalopsia release tour - cancelled
9th Feb - Frittfall, Oslo, NO - with Hilde Marie Holsen - Kalopsia release tour
26th Jan - Nonfigurativ Musikk, Tønsberg, NO - solo - Kalopsia release tour
22nd Jan - Cafe OTO, London, UK - solo - Kalopsia release tour
21st Jan - Mandagsklubben, Copenhagen, DK - solo - Kalopsia release tour
2018
21st Dec - Nesodden Kirke, Nesodden, NO - Kelda's Christmas
13th Dec - FRIM på Fylkingen, Torkel Knutssonsgatan 2, 118 25 STOCKHOLM, SE - solo - Kalopsia release tour
3rd Dec - Ni Muser, Trondheim, NO - solo - Kalopsia release tour
26th Nov - Columbi Egg, Bergen, NO - solo
25th Nov - Café Sør, Oslo, NO- with Juhani Silvola & Martin Langlie
18th Nov - The Scots Fiddle Festival, Edinburgh, SCO - with Juhani Silvola
18th Nov - workshop in advanced technique, The Scots Fiddle Festival, The Pleasance, Edinburgh, SCO
8th-11th Nov - Folkelarm, Riksscenen, Oslo, NO - solo
29th Oct-2nd Nov - DKS, Riksscenen, Oslo, NO - with Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt
29th Sep - Musica Divina, Herentals, Belgium - 'Go Dig My Grave' with Susanna Wallumrød, Frode Haltli & Giovanna Pessi
28th Sep - Handelsbeurs, Ghent, Belgium - 'Go Dig My Grave' with Susanna
27th Sep - Rich Mix, London, England - 'Go Dig My Grave' with Susanna
25th Sep - National Concert Hall, Dublin - 'Go Dig My Grave' with Susanna
23rd Sep - Alte Kirkche, Romanshorn, Switzerland - 'Go Dig My Grave' with Susanna
21st Sep - Dokkhuset, Trondheim, Norway - 'Go Dig My Grave' with Susanna
20th Sep - Bergen Kjøtt, Bergen, Norway - 'Go Dig My Grave' with Susanna
21st Aug - The GRIT Orchestra, Light on the Shore, Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland
21st Jul - Vinjerock - with Vinjefolk
8th Jul - House concert, Nesodden, Norway - with Juhani Silvola & Ingeborg Christophersen
4th Jul - Katrineholm, Ericsberg, Sweden - with Juhani Silvola
3rd Jul - Eskilstuna, Lagersberg, Sweden - with Juhani Silvola
24th Jun - Bønsnes Kirke, 3530 Røyse, Norway - with Kelda Quartet
21st Jun - Biermannsgården, Oslo, Norway - with Hilde Marie Holsen
2nd Jun - Musikkfest, Schous Kulturbryggeri, Popsenteret, Oslo - with Juhani Silvola & Hans Martin Austestad
16th May - Business for Peace Awards Ceremony, The City Halls, Oslo
15th May - The Norwegian Royal Residency, Norway - with Maren Selvaag & Rohey Taalah
6th Apr - 12.15, Aula, Foajeen i Georg Sverdrups Hus, Oslo University - with Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt
5th Apr - Klubb Ankaret, Gothenburg, Sweden - with SISKIN Quartet
8th Mar - Riksscenen, Oslo, Norway - solo - SOLO album launch
24th Feb - Umeå Festival, Sweden - with SISKIN Quartet
23rd Feb - Stallet, Stockholm, Sweden - with SISKIN Quartet
8th Feb - Riksscenen, Oslo, Norway - with SISKIN Quartet
2nd Feb, 19.30 - Celtic Connections, New Auditorium, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - with Juhani Silvola
28th Jan, 13.00 - Celtic Connections New Voices Commission, Strathclyde Suite, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
27th Jan - Celtic Connections, Bothy Culture & Beyond, Grit Orchestra with Danny MacAskill, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
17th Jan - Bitches Brew, Traverse Theatre, Glasgow - solo improv set
2017
6th-22nd March - Rikskonsertene School Concerts, Norway - with Juhani Silvola
29th March - Rauland, Norway - with Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt
7th April - Le Gésu, Montréal, Canada - with Bozzini Quartet & Monty Adkins, "Water's Edge"
2nd June - Kulturkirke Jakob, Oslo, Norway - with Solfrid Molland
3rd June - King's Place, London, UK - 'Vindauga | Wind Eye' with Sam Lee, Unni Løvlid, Andreas Utnem, Erlend Apneseth & Juhani Silvola
11th June - Oddnose Festival, Nesodden, Norway - with Juhani Silvola
13th June - Kantorissimo, Nesodden Kirke - A Scottish Ayre - with Ingeborg Christophersen, Gunnar Hauge & Juhani Silvola
17th June - Nepal Festival, Falun, Sweden - with Juhani Silvola
11th July - Kaustinen Folk Festival, Finland (21.00-22.00, Pelimannitalo) - with Juhani Silvola
12th July - Kaustinen Folk Festival, Finland (15.45-16.30, Iholla Hall) - with Juhani Silvola
27th July - Sommarljom 2017 Ørsta, Norway - with Juhani Silvola
19th Aug - Geiteberg Folk Festival, Norway - with Juhani Silvola
1st Sept - Kulturkirke Jakob, Oslo, Norway - with Solfrid Molland
3rd Sept - 14.00 - Kirkekaffe i Rådhuset, Oslo, Norway - with Solfrid Molland
3rd Sept - 18.00 - Gallakonsett, Kulturkirke Jakob, Oslo, Norway - with Solfrid Molland
7th Sept - 20.00 - Cappelens Forslag, Bernt Ankers gate 4B, 0183 Oslo - VIRR release concert
15th Sept - Granvin Kulturhus, Seljord - Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt & Summers/Silvola/Kvam
16th Sept - Hølen Kunstcafe, Kolbotn - Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt & Summers/Silvola/Kvam
17th Sept - Hellviktangen, Nesodden- Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinhold & Summers/Silvola/Kvam
22nd Sept - Bellman, Notodden - Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt
23rd Sept - Verdensteateret, Rjukan - Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt
24th Sept - Ælvespeilet, Porsgrunn - Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt
27th Sep - Harald Kihle Galleriet, Horten - Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt
20th Oct - 14.00 - Fagforbundets landsmøte 2017, Oslo Kongressenter, Norway - with Solfrid Molland
27th Oct - Osafestivalen, Voss, Norway (at 20.00) - with Juhani Silvola
28th Oct - Osafestivalen, Voss, Norway (at 15.30) - with Juhani Silvola
12th Nov - Tøyen Kirke, Oslo - Ingebjørg Lognvik Reinholdt & Summers/Silvola/Kvam
18th Nov - Transvocale, Frankfurt a.d. Oder, Germany - with Juhani Silvola
19th Nov - Westflügel, Syke - with Juhani Silvola
22nd Nov - Die Fetzerei, Krone Alt-Hoheneck, Ludwigsburg - with Juhani Silvola
23rd Nov - Jazzaround the World Festival, Puchheim - with Juhani Silvola
24th Nov - Der Schallplattenmann, Erlangen - with Juhani Silvola
26th Nov Rupert Folkclub, Nürnberg - with Juhani Silvola
14th Dec Biermannsgården (solo improv/trad)
RIDER / REVIEWS
for download//
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HI-RES PHOTOS
to download, click on the photo//
Please remember to credit the photographer. Thank you!
© Johannes Selvaag
© Johannes Selvaag
© Andreas Ulvo
© Johannes Selvaag