SARAH-JANE SUMMERS
Blending traditional & experimental/improvised music.
Currently doing a PhD in Artistic Research at Norges Musikkhøgskole / The Norwegian Academy of Music.
Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola
Spelemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy) 2021 - nomination
Top of the World status, Songlines for all 4 albums
"magnificent...absolute masters of their instruments" (Songlines)
"dazzling album" (fRoots)
Experimental Music
Album of the Year 2017, Late Junction, BBC Radio 3
"a howling gale, brilliantly evoked" (The Wire)
“very modern, avant-garde soloing...compelling & gripping” (Free Jazz Collective)
"ranging from avant garde classical music over eerie folk to harsh, intense outbursts of free jazz...a unique album"
(Merchants of Air)
“Gjennom fjorten frapperende fiolinstykker...skaper hun øyeblikk av stort musikalsk nærvær”
(Audun Vinger, jazznytt)
Traditional
"dazzling folk virtuoso" (The Strad)
“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
Summers/Silvola & Bozzini Quartet
concerts in Tromsø, Oslo & Glasgow - 2025
Summers/Silvola + BBC SSO strings, Tectonics 2024
"a novel, invigorating experience" The Scotsman
How to Raise the Wind
Nordlysfestivalen 2022, Summers/Silvola + string quintet
Máni
Vossajazz 2022, with Benedicte Maurseth
Sølvstrøk
Oslo World 2020/Førdefestivalen 2021
Summers/Silvola + chamber orchestra
BBC ALBA/Catriona Black
video by Semiconductor
Celtic Connections, New Voices commission, 2018
"a bravura performance, both compositionally & instrumentally"(The Strad)
AWARDS / NOMINATIONS / RECOGNITIONS//
NOPA Musikkpris 2022
Polkadots & Moonshine, comp. Summers/Silvola
Norwegian Grammy nomination 2021
The Smoky Smirr o Rain
Top of the World, Songlines
Sølstrøk
The Smoky Smirr o Rain
Widdershins
Sarah-Jane Summers & Juhani Silvola
Album of the Year, Scots Trad Music Awards (long list)
SOLO
Widdershins
Album of the Year, Late Junction, BBC Radio 3
VIRR
fRoots Editor's Choice
Widdershins
ABOUT//
where//
Scottish, based in Norway
genres//
traditional Scottish
improvised
experimental
favourite things//
rain, wind, dark chocolate, abstract photography, dictionaries
websites//
label//
Eighth Nerve Audio
Summers/Silvola - The Smoky Smirr o Rain//
RELEASES (selection)//
How to Raise the Wind - Summers/Silvola (coming 2025)
Alt Som Eingong Va' - Reitir (coming 2024)
Echo Stane - Sarah-Jane Summers (2023), Another Timbre
Sølvstrøk - Summers/Silvola (2022)
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 & Summers etc (2018)
SOLO - Sarah-Jane Summers (2018)
VIRR - Sarah-Jane Summers (2017)
Widdershins - Summers/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)
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)
VIDEOS//
LIVE PERFORMANCES//
2024
9th Dec - Mandagsklubben, Becco, Oslo (Solo & electronics)
17th Nov - Potsdam, with Evelina Petrova Trio, 18.00
16th Nov - Berlin, with Evelina Petrova Trio, 19.00
9th Nov - Summers/Silvola, Brønnøya
30th Oct - Panel member at Nordic Music Days, CCA, Glasgow, 3.45 pm
30th Oct - Presentation at Nordic Music Days, Glasgow University, 11.15 am
16th Oct - Reitir (Robert Burns in Norwegian Dialect), Rauland
9th Oct - Norges Musikkhøgskole, Oslo, presentation and solo + electronics concert
20th Sep - Reitir (Robert Burns in Norwegian Dialect), Kulturhus, Suldal
24th Aug - GRIT Orchestra, Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh International Festival
31st May - Global Music Nights, Deichmanske Bibliotek, Oslo, with Evelina Petrova Trio
30th May - with Wench Losnegård, Victoria, Oslo
7th May - Summers/Silvola, Steiner Høyskolen I Oslo
6th May - Solo, Norges Musikkhøgskole, Oslo
4th May - Summers/Silvola + BBC SSO strings with Ilan Volkov - Tectonics Festival, Glasgow
26th Apr - Reitir (Robert Burns in Norwegian Dialect), Riksscenen, Oslo
13th Apr - Finn Skotten, Ibsenhuset, Skien
4th Apr - Love Your Latency, Norges Musikkhøgskolen, Oslo (18.30=
17th Feb - Summers/Silvola, Hamar (10.00)
3rd Feb - ceilidh, Festund - with James Gray
2023
25th Nov - Lochaber Music for All, Fort William - How to Raise the Wind
24th Nov - Aberdeen University - How to Raise the Wind
23rd Nov - Music at the University, Glasgow University, 1pm - How to Raise the Wind
22nd Nov - Gatehouse Music Society, Gatehouse of Fleet - How to Raise the Wind
11th Nov - Parma Jazz, Italy - Máni with Benedicte Maurseth & Randiane Sandboe
25-29 Sep - DKS, Oslo - with Tiril Bryn
16th Sep - Ceilidh, Oslo Scottish Country Dance Group
10th Sep - Utne (children's concert) - Finn Skotten, Summers/Silvola
9th Sep - Ælvespeilet, Porsgrunn (children's concert) - Finn Skotten, Summers/Silvola
5th Aug - Oslo Chamber Music Festival - Máni with Benedicte Maurseth & Randiane Sandboe
12/13 May - Folk Baltica, Germany - Summers/Silvola
22nd Apr - Nesodden Jazzklubb, Flasken (barnekonsert) - Finn Skotten, Summers/Silvola
15th Apr - JazzPrisen, Skien - duo with Hilde Marie Holsen
12th Apr - Munch Museum, Oslo - Máni with Benedicte Maurseth & Randiane Sandboe
27th Mar - MIR, Oslo - Summers/Silvola & Jonas Cambien
26th Mar - Veitvet Kulturhus (children's concert) - Finn Skotten, Summers/Silvola
23rd Mar - Tromsø - Summers/Silvola
07-09 Mar - Teaching at Barratt Due, Oslo - with Jon Halvor Bjørnseth
19th Feb - LilleRiksen, Riksscenen - Timelines - Summers & Gregor Riddell
4th Feb - Gjettum - Storytelling & Fiddle Concert with Angela Halvorsen Bogo
29th Jan - The Strathclyde Suite, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - How to Raise the Wind - Summers/Silvola & String 5tet
14th Jan - Ceilidh, Fetsund - with James Gray
2022
21st Dec - Elverhøy Kirke, Tromsø - Christmas Concerts, Nord Norge - with Harald Bakkeby Moe
19th Dec - Nordreisa Kirke - Christmas Concerts, Nord Norge - with Harald Bakkeby Moe
10th Dec - Tøyenkirke, Oslo - with Fauna
9th Dec - Gamle Aker Kirke, Akersbakken 30, 0172 Oslo - with Pitsj
12th Nov - Kaamospelit, Lobby Myyrmäki, Jönsaksentie 6 A, 01600 Vantaa, Finland - Summers/Silvola
6th Nov - Blårollinger (children's concert), Nordic Black Theatre, Oslo - Finn Skotten - Summers/Silvola
4th Nov - String Quartet version of Morning Prayer @ Strykeklang I, NMK konsertserie, Cafeteateret, Oslo
29th Oct - A Very Scottish Hallowe'en Celebration, with Angela Halvorsen Bogo
28th Oct - Flasken, Nesodden, Norway - Summers/Silvola
27th Oct - Teaching, Osafestivalen, Voss
26-30 Sep - Games of Trees, DKS, Oslo - Tiril Byrn
15th Sep - Riksscenen, Oslo, Norway - Siskin Quartet - album release
3rd Sep - Riksscenen, Oslo, Norway - Sigrun Eng - premier of 'Yirdlings', commission for solo cello
28th Aug - Café Sør, Oslo - Summers/Silvola
27th Aug - Impra Jazz, Stockholm, Sweden - with Silent Fires
15th Aug - Arendalsuka, Norway - Summers/Silvola
20th July - Fanø Folk Festival, Denmark - Evelina Petrova Trio
20th July - Fanø Folk Festival, Denmark - solo
26th Jun - Bønsnes Kirke, Norway - Summers/Silvola
11th Jun - Dei Nynorske Festspela - with Benedicte Maurseth
14th May - Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Fiddlers Fiddlers' Rally, Scotland - Summers/Silvola
29 & 30 Apr - Oberlethe, Germany - Summers/Silvola
28 Apr - Rosier Event & Gastronomie, Hatten, Germany - Summers/Silvola
20/21 Apr - Nordic Folk Alliance - Summers/Silvola
12th Apr - Blow Out! - solo
9th Apr - Vossajazz - with Benedicte Maurseth
23rd Mar - NyMusikk, Cafetheateret - Solo (as part of Cikada concert)
15th Mar - Nesodden Kirke - Kelda Quartet
5th Feb - Salangen Kulturhus - Summers/Silvola & String Quintet - How To Raise The Wind
4th Feb - Mellembygd Kultur og Oppvekstsenter - Summers/Silvola & String Quintet - How To Raise The Wind
3rd Feb - Harstad Kulturhus - Summers/Silvola & String Quintet - How To Raise The Wind
2nd Feb - Nordlysfestivalen, Tromsø - Summers/Silvola & String Quintet - How To Raise The Wind (commission)
2021
21st Dec - Everhøy Kirke, Tromsø - Harald Bakkeby Mo / Silvola / Ildeikin - cancelled
20th Dec - Nordreisa Kirke, Storslett - Harald Bakkeby Mo / Silvola / Ildeikin - cancelled
29th Oct - Setesdal - Burns på Dialekt
28th Oct - Granvin House, Seljord - Burns på Dialekt
9th Oct - Badstufest, Vang - Summers/Silvola
25th Sep - Ultimafestivalen, Oslo - Susanna
6th Sep - Columbi Egg, Bergen - Burns på Dialekt
14th Aug - Kalottspel, Målselv - Summers/Silvola
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)
HI-RES PHOTOS//
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CONTACT//