Dennis Morrison
By Jimmy Clinkscale LBCA
One of the busiest figures on the North-East Scotland music scene is 22 year old Dennis Morrison, from Newmacher, Aberdeenshire. Dennis has been steeped in music since he was a toddler and now passes on his expertise to a growing number of private pupils.
In this profile Jimmy Clinkscale, of the Clinkscale Music Centre, Aberdeen, takes a look at a young man who has a hectic year ahead of him.
There was always every chance that youngster Dennis Morrison would be bitten by the music bug, as father Bob and mother Frances played drums and piano respectively in the Thistle Dance Band which was prominent on the North-East entertainment circuit.
Dennis began playing piano at 8, but it was several years before he took up the piano accordion. “Initially I found it too big and heavy and it really did nothing for me.”
However, when he moved from Newmacher Primary School to Bankhead Academy he was firmly into the accordion and by the time he was 13 he was playing regularly every weekend in his folk’s band.
“We did all kinds of engagements – dances, social clubs etc – playing all types of music, but I was always very interested in the Scottish dance band scene.”
And by the time he was 16 he had created a trio featuring himself, Lawrence Marr on accordion and father Bob on drums, appearing mainly at Accordion and Fiddle Clubs although he was also emerging as the driving force behind the Thistle Dance Band.
He former the Glenmore Dance Band and made his debut on BBCs “Take the Floor” at 18 and was gaining valuable experience guesting with well-known bandleaders such as john Ellis, Jack Sinclair and Grace McCleaver.
And a highlight of his still fledgling career came when he guested with Paddy McGarr and the Gallowglass Ceili Band on a tour of Eire.
“That was a tremendous experience” recalls Dennis. “I had followed the band for years, and indeed they were the first band that I saw live on stage.”
By this time he was broadcasting fairly regularly – both on BBC and Aberdeen’s ILR station – NorthSound and appeared at Aberdeen’s Capitol Theatre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre although even now he has still to appear on stage in England.
And he was teaching private pupils on an extensive basis – both piano and accordion. The Thistle Dance Band then underwent metamorphosis and emerged as Shamrock – a Country and Western combine which also plays regular gigs on the North-East circuit.
Dennis readily admits he is a great devotee of Irish music and his favourite accordionist is Fintan Stanley – “he has a marvellous technique.” The Irish technique is further emphasised by his admiration for the Gallowglass Ceili Band. “They have a particularly individualistic sound and, of course, the featuring of the saxophone gave their music quite another dimension.”
His links with the Gallowglass will be strengthened later this year when he will join them in Dublin and feature on an album recording.
Meantime the most exciting development in his career is the first album for the Glenmore Scottish Dance Band – recorded for David Silver on the Bluebell label at Inverness.
The album, which should be in the shops shortly, will feature 12 tracks. There will be a strong leavening of pipe music and some Irish material. And look out for material from the Niel Gow and William Marshall collections.
Explains Dennis “I have been researching both collections. There is a great wealth of material there – really quality material.”
The line-up for the album is :- Dennis Morrison (lead accordion), Frank Thomson (second accordion), Charlie McKerron (fiddle), Pam Brough (piano), Ally Wilkie (drums) and Ray Leonard (string bass). Ray stood in for Brian Middleton who was on a working trip to Germany when the album was recorded.
Unfortunately, although the Glenmore pop up every now and then on the Accordion and Fiddle Club circuit, they don’t make as many appearances as Dennis would like.
“Regretfully, there is not a lot of work for a six piece band in the North-East as the market for Scottish dances is somewhat limited. And, of course, there is always the problem of getting everyone together at the same time.”
However, Dennis much enjoys the variety of playing both in a Scottish band and a Country and Western outfit. “I really enjoy the flexibility it gives you, and I much enjoy being able to have the opportunity of doing both.”
He will be returning to the Inverness recording studios later this year to cut a tape with Shamrock.
As a full-time he has precious little spare time on his hands.
“Well I am teaching three days a week and playing at least four nights a week, so I am kept on the go.”
His teaching practice is flourishing. “There is a tremendous interest in piano and accordion – particularly adult beginners, and there is no lack of work in this sphere.”
And he tips on of his pupils Bob Black from Aberdeen – as a lad to watch out for. “Bob is very talented and one of my best pupils” says Dennis, who is currently studying for a diploma in piano playing.
His own choice of accordion is a Paolo Soprani which he has had for 10 years. “I am pretty happy with it” he explains “it has its own very individual sound which a lot of players don’t really have.”
Dennis, who is single has no definite plans for the future and is content to take each day as it comes.
And with two bands running concurrently and a flourishing teaching set-up, he is well satisfied with his lot.
Box and Fiddle
March 1986
In this profile Jimmy Clinkscale, of the Clinkscale Music Centre, Aberdeen, takes a look at a young man who has a hectic year ahead of him.
There was always every chance that youngster Dennis Morrison would be bitten by the music bug, as father Bob and mother Frances played drums and piano respectively in the Thistle Dance Band which was prominent on the North-East entertainment circuit.
Dennis began playing piano at 8, but it was several years before he took up the piano accordion. “Initially I found it too big and heavy and it really did nothing for me.”
However, when he moved from Newmacher Primary School to Bankhead Academy he was firmly into the accordion and by the time he was 13 he was playing regularly every weekend in his folk’s band.
“We did all kinds of engagements – dances, social clubs etc – playing all types of music, but I was always very interested in the Scottish dance band scene.”
And by the time he was 16 he had created a trio featuring himself, Lawrence Marr on accordion and father Bob on drums, appearing mainly at Accordion and Fiddle Clubs although he was also emerging as the driving force behind the Thistle Dance Band.
He former the Glenmore Dance Band and made his debut on BBCs “Take the Floor” at 18 and was gaining valuable experience guesting with well-known bandleaders such as john Ellis, Jack Sinclair and Grace McCleaver.
And a highlight of his still fledgling career came when he guested with Paddy McGarr and the Gallowglass Ceili Band on a tour of Eire.
“That was a tremendous experience” recalls Dennis. “I had followed the band for years, and indeed they were the first band that I saw live on stage.”
By this time he was broadcasting fairly regularly – both on BBC and Aberdeen’s ILR station – NorthSound and appeared at Aberdeen’s Capitol Theatre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre although even now he has still to appear on stage in England.
And he was teaching private pupils on an extensive basis – both piano and accordion. The Thistle Dance Band then underwent metamorphosis and emerged as Shamrock – a Country and Western combine which also plays regular gigs on the North-East circuit.
Dennis readily admits he is a great devotee of Irish music and his favourite accordionist is Fintan Stanley – “he has a marvellous technique.” The Irish technique is further emphasised by his admiration for the Gallowglass Ceili Band. “They have a particularly individualistic sound and, of course, the featuring of the saxophone gave their music quite another dimension.”
His links with the Gallowglass will be strengthened later this year when he will join them in Dublin and feature on an album recording.
Meantime the most exciting development in his career is the first album for the Glenmore Scottish Dance Band – recorded for David Silver on the Bluebell label at Inverness.
The album, which should be in the shops shortly, will feature 12 tracks. There will be a strong leavening of pipe music and some Irish material. And look out for material from the Niel Gow and William Marshall collections.
Explains Dennis “I have been researching both collections. There is a great wealth of material there – really quality material.”
The line-up for the album is :- Dennis Morrison (lead accordion), Frank Thomson (second accordion), Charlie McKerron (fiddle), Pam Brough (piano), Ally Wilkie (drums) and Ray Leonard (string bass). Ray stood in for Brian Middleton who was on a working trip to Germany when the album was recorded.
Unfortunately, although the Glenmore pop up every now and then on the Accordion and Fiddle Club circuit, they don’t make as many appearances as Dennis would like.
“Regretfully, there is not a lot of work for a six piece band in the North-East as the market for Scottish dances is somewhat limited. And, of course, there is always the problem of getting everyone together at the same time.”
However, Dennis much enjoys the variety of playing both in a Scottish band and a Country and Western outfit. “I really enjoy the flexibility it gives you, and I much enjoy being able to have the opportunity of doing both.”
He will be returning to the Inverness recording studios later this year to cut a tape with Shamrock.
As a full-time he has precious little spare time on his hands.
“Well I am teaching three days a week and playing at least four nights a week, so I am kept on the go.”
His teaching practice is flourishing. “There is a tremendous interest in piano and accordion – particularly adult beginners, and there is no lack of work in this sphere.”
And he tips on of his pupils Bob Black from Aberdeen – as a lad to watch out for. “Bob is very talented and one of my best pupils” says Dennis, who is currently studying for a diploma in piano playing.
His own choice of accordion is a Paolo Soprani which he has had for 10 years. “I am pretty happy with it” he explains “it has its own very individual sound which a lot of players don’t really have.”
Dennis, who is single has no definite plans for the future and is content to take each day as it comes.
And with two bands running concurrently and a flourishing teaching set-up, he is well satisfied with his lot.
Box and Fiddle
March 1986