Ali Hutton  Bagpipes, Whistle and Guitar

Ali, from Methven in Perthshire, was inspired at the age of 7 to take up the bagpipes and rose through the ranks of the world famous Vale of Atholl Pipe Band. It was there that he was taught, alongside Ross Ainslie, by the late, great Gordon Duncan. He has since gone on to become a successful multi-instrumentalist on the Scottish folk music scene. His arsenal includes Bagpipes, Whistle and Guitars. Ali has performed and worked alongside some of the most respected musicians and bands on the scene such as Capercaillie, Dougie Maclean, Carlos Nunez, Deaf Shepherd, Clueless, Steve Forman, Salsa Celtica, and Shooglenifty to name but a few. During his apprentice years as a professional musician he was fortunate enough to become a member of the multi award winning bands Brolum and Back of the Moon, touring with them for several years across Europe and North America. Back of the Moon went on to win ‘Scottish Folk Band of the Year’ at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards in 2005, with their album nominated for ‘Album of the Year’.

Ali has also found himself producing some of the most well received Scottish Folk albums in recent years. In 2007 he co-produced Maeve Mackinnon’s award-winning album, ‘Don’t Sing Love Songs’ which was performed in the ‘Classic Albums’ series at Glasgow’s international folk, roots and world music festival, Celtic Connections in 2008. In 2015 he was nominated for ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards, the same year in which Treacherous Orchestra’s album ‘Grind’, co-produced by Ali, won ‘Album of the Year’.

His recent project, ‘Symbiosis’ which he shares with lifelong friend and fellow piper Ross Ainslie has released two albums to critical acclaim. Ross and Ali were named best duo in the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2017 and were nominated again in 2018.

Ali currently performs around the world with Old Blind Dogs, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton’s ‘Symbiosis’, Treacherous Orchestra, Malin Lewis, Jocelyn Petit and Ellen Gira, and Tryst.

Musical Influences/heroes : Gordon Duncan, John Doyle, Donough Hennessy, Seamus Egan, Wolfstone, Lunasa, Solas, Sigur Ros, Ross Ainslie, Duncan Lyall, Martin o Neill, Andy Webster.

Things I FxxxxxG HATE : Bananas, Fish (All edible Seafood), And Flip Flops!!!!

List of bands/Musicians I have had the great honour of playing with over the years………

The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band (Novice Juvenile to Grade 1), Subtle measures, The Gordon Duncan Band, Clueless, Brolum, Back of the Moon, Cantrip, Deaf Shepherd, Shooglenifty, The Black Sheep, Dougie Maclean, Jamie Smith, Beneche, The Long Notes, SBO, Calasaig, Deoch n dorus, Bodega, Maeve Mackinnon, Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson, Ross Ainslie Trio, India Alba, Hamish Napier Duos, Shona Mooney Band, Old Blind Dogs, Finlay Macdonald band, The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, Emily Smith Band, Niamh Ni Charra, Duncan Chisholm, Kathleen Boyle band, Mick West band, Anna Macdonald, Fraser Fifield, Canntaireachd, Matheu Watson, Salsa Celtica, Capercaillie, Rura, Carlos Nunez, True North Orchestra, Steve Forman, Angus Lyon, Colin Train, Gary Innes, Babelfish, The Trotters, The Walkabout Ceilidh Band, Project Smok, Paddy Keenan, The Grit Orchestra, The Levellers, Treacherous Orchestra……..