Violet Tulloch

Violet Tulloch is the premier piano accompanist for Shetland fiddlers. Her work with late fiddler Willie Hunter resulted in two influential albums -- Leaving Lewick Harbor and The Willie Hunter Sessions -- while her on-going collaborations with Aly Bain of the Boys of the Lough helped introduce world audiences to the fiddling traditions of Shetland. In addition to recording several albums together, Tulloch and Bain collaborated on two television shows, Down Home and Aly Bain and Friends. Bain has periodically paid musical tribute to Tulloch's influence. His 1993 debut album, First Album, included an up-tempo rendition of "Violet Tulloch's Hornpipe" and his duo album with Phil Cunningham, The Pearl, featured the song, "Violet Tulloch, Queen Of Lerwick." The website www.electricscotland.com described Tulloch's playing as "impeccable, unobtrusive, and supportive, ideally matched to the moods and styles of the fiddle tunes," while www.folkmusic.net wrote in a review of The Willie Hunter Sessions, "accompanists (particularly pianists) tend not to be fully appreciated but here we have a complete musical partnership." Tulloch has performed with her son, Andy Filska, on guitar. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi