Violet Tulloch
by Pia Walker
On a beautifully sunny, cold and windy day at the end of January just after Up Helly Aa, I had the pleasure of interviewing one of our Guests of Honour for 2017.
Harmonist extraordinaire, Violet Tulloch, has been called ‘The Star’ by Jimmy Burgess and ‘The Queen of Lerwick’ by Phil Cunningham and I asked her what she thought of that? “It’s embarrassing, but I have learnt to live with it.” she replied with one of those lovely smiles, she bestows on people. My first impression of Violet Tulloch, at probably my first ever festival Saturday dance, was of a smiling, mild-mannered, brilliantly turned-out lady playing second box. I can see her as being a calming influence with many a band, although she does have a temper, she tells me, and can and will let loose from time to time “But it doesn’t last long and I don’t carry grudges.” she ads with a twinkle in her eye.
Violet initially learned accordion from her father, John Scott, a driver for John Leask & Sons. John was a dance bandleader with the first dance band in Shetland, the John Scott Dance Band. He died when Violet was 14 and after that, times were hard in the Scott household. Everyone had to help keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. This was one of the reasons Violet started playing accordion with ‘Tammy’ Anderson’s renowned Islesburgh Band. Although she had to have special dispensation from her head master and was only allowed to gig in weekends. She taught herself to play the piano, and credits the Isleburgh Band for helping her in her music, by encouraging her and asking her “how about trying this?” She calls it the greatest education in her life – “the bar was set by them”. She used to practice during the week and would walk to Isleburgh house and loose herself in the music and this was a bone of contention at home as she would forget to come home for mealtimes.
The Isleburgh Band were also instrumental in shaping the life of another Shetlander: AlyBain, who once told Violet that he heard them once and from then on knew he wanted to be a musician. Ali is now a close family friend. Violet was greatly taken with the Powrie band and another great harmonist, Pam Wilkie, also influenced her style.
Later life became easier, when her mother married an old family friend. Her stepfather Jim Stewart was a fiddler and the house remained full of music. Her stepfather’s composition Shack’s Farewell to the Workman’s Club is still played by many. The title came about because of a joke about a 6 penny arrears, which had Shack banned from the workmen’s club.
Few read music at that time and Violet has indeed taught herself to read music sufficiently, she says, to be able to look through books and pick tunes. Tunes used to be picked up by musicians from the wireless, especially from Norwegian broadcasts. She explained to me that Shetlanders also went to South Georgia on the whaling boats and mixed with and learned music from Norwegians, which is why Shetland music has such strong affinity with Norwegian music.
Violet didn’t only play piano and accordion, she also joined the Brass band, by chance. She was waiting for a friend who was at brass band practice. At the time the band was struggling for members and as she was there, she was asked to join. She enjoyed it, as it was something different and started playing the trumpet but changed to play 2nd cornet. She was among the first of the female band members to walk in the UHA-procession with the brass band.
When she was around 17 Violet went to Aberdeen and did a year’s domestic science course at the Robert Gordon College. Quite ironic, as she hates cooking. About this time she met Drew Tulloch and later married him at 21 years of age. Drew is a director of Hughson Bros wholesalers and although he doesn’t play an instrument, he is her strongest support and biggest critic. She says “he is so helpful in every way“. They have been heavily involved in the Up Helly Aa movement for many years, Drew was Guizer Jarl in 1969. In 1970 they became UHA-hosts at the Grand Hotel before moving on to the Clickimin Centre and they had 37 years as Host and Hostess before retiring. Violet proudly shows me the gift they were presented with then.
In Lerwick Violet worked in retail first in a chemist shop and later after it closed in Conochie's Newsagents. She worked with Alice Nicolson, mother of Alan and Colin. When I asked what she really wanted to be, she replies “Music Teacher or Antique Dealer”. She loves antiques, but when she was younger, there were not many opportunities, especially not for young women.
Family is important to Violet. She has 2 children Andrew who enjoys a very busy life as an Audio Engineer in London and Stewart who lives in Ellon and is a senior manager with a major oil company. She has 2 grand-children, Laura who plays the trombone and Louise plays piano, something which makes Violet a very proud granny. She has two brothers, Ian and Hughie (Ian lives in Lerwick, Hughie lives in Kent.) She sees her sister Jean as often as she can. Jean is a classroom assistant at a local school and is brilliant at IT, so she was a great help when it came to find the photos for this article.
Violet just likes harmonising with others. Her style has been called ‘impeccable, unobtrusive and supportive’, and she is much in demand. She leads an exciting life accompanying some of the foremost musicians of today. The people she has played with over the years reads as the who’s who of trad. music: Dr. Tom Anderson, Peerie Willie Johnson, Willie Hunter and Jim Halcrow and Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham. Moreover, of course, her lovely smiling face and twinkly eyes can be seen in the Jimmy Burgess Orchestra. She started playing with Jimmy in 1969 or thereabouts standing in for a UHA squad member and she just carried on from there. Recently she has accompanied extraordinary fiddler Bryan Gear, of whom she says she is very fond of and feels that they are “on the same wavelength musically and great friends".
She played a lot with Phil & Aly for a long time, but at one point she was a housewife with children, and could not do the touring required. She comments that Phil & Aly are so good together.
She loves slow airs and although she loves all kind of music, Scottish music is her first love. She loves to play music and perform, and spends a lot of time working on getting her art right. That she loves Shetland is very obvious. She states that it is a blessed place and that it produces some great musicians, not just fiddles, but all sorts of instrumentalists, perhaps because it is an island. She briefly mentions the music tuition taking place in so many places in Shetland right now, and that it is great to see so many kids take up an instrument. She herself has 20 pupils learning the piano. Violet plays the accordion next to them as they learn, and she is sure that is why they keep at it. “There’s nothing like live music.” She says she will still be teaching until she gets old. I did not dare ask her how old she was. She is one of these people who will always look youthful no matter their age.
While talking about tuition and music this lead to discussing what she feels is important for the younger generation. “Young people have so many opportunities that weren’t there when I started out. Then you learnt as you went along, with only a few to learn from”. Her advice is to work hard, be confident and to enjoy the music, but also to take time to listen to others. She feels it is important to connect with the audience and look as if you are enjoying yourself. With regard to Scottish Traditional music she feels that older music should be showcased more, so the roots of the music are not forgotten - it is music that no one else has. “Imagination and experimentation is good, but you have to know where the music comes from”. We both agreed that music is all about communication and that it is an International language.
She could not tell me which instrument she liked the best, but she does like to pick up the accordion and have a tune. Music by the way is not her only passion; she is also a mean bridge player and has been since she was 16. Apart from family this is a big part of her life outside her music.
Violet was induced into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2015, and it has meant so much to her, because it highlights the important work of accompanists. In 2016 she was asked to open the Shetland A & F Club’s festival. She was one of the founders of this club. The trophies of both events take pride of place in her lovely home alongside the UHA retiral presentation. Her life in music, whether live performances, radio broadcasts, tv-appearances makes this lady a most suitable recipient of the NAAFC Guest of Honour award.
Violet came from a generation inspired by the likes of Willie Johnson. Along with Ronald Cooper, they brought accompaniment to a new level. Her knowledge of chords and the music we play is second to none. Her teaching has provided Shetland with a new generation of players. She is a treasure to Shetland and over the years a great friend to me. Aly Bain
Violet has played second box with my band for many years. We seemed to gel right from the very start. The harmonies she put in to a lot of the tunes was great, and we both play Rancos, which gives us a different sound.
I am delighted that she is one of the Guests of honours at the annual lunch, and I am hoping to be present once more. Jimmy Burgess
Box and Fiddle
April 2017
Harmonist extraordinaire, Violet Tulloch, has been called ‘The Star’ by Jimmy Burgess and ‘The Queen of Lerwick’ by Phil Cunningham and I asked her what she thought of that? “It’s embarrassing, but I have learnt to live with it.” she replied with one of those lovely smiles, she bestows on people. My first impression of Violet Tulloch, at probably my first ever festival Saturday dance, was of a smiling, mild-mannered, brilliantly turned-out lady playing second box. I can see her as being a calming influence with many a band, although she does have a temper, she tells me, and can and will let loose from time to time “But it doesn’t last long and I don’t carry grudges.” she ads with a twinkle in her eye.
Violet initially learned accordion from her father, John Scott, a driver for John Leask & Sons. John was a dance bandleader with the first dance band in Shetland, the John Scott Dance Band. He died when Violet was 14 and after that, times were hard in the Scott household. Everyone had to help keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. This was one of the reasons Violet started playing accordion with ‘Tammy’ Anderson’s renowned Islesburgh Band. Although she had to have special dispensation from her head master and was only allowed to gig in weekends. She taught herself to play the piano, and credits the Isleburgh Band for helping her in her music, by encouraging her and asking her “how about trying this?” She calls it the greatest education in her life – “the bar was set by them”. She used to practice during the week and would walk to Isleburgh house and loose herself in the music and this was a bone of contention at home as she would forget to come home for mealtimes.
The Isleburgh Band were also instrumental in shaping the life of another Shetlander: AlyBain, who once told Violet that he heard them once and from then on knew he wanted to be a musician. Ali is now a close family friend. Violet was greatly taken with the Powrie band and another great harmonist, Pam Wilkie, also influenced her style.
Later life became easier, when her mother married an old family friend. Her stepfather Jim Stewart was a fiddler and the house remained full of music. Her stepfather’s composition Shack’s Farewell to the Workman’s Club is still played by many. The title came about because of a joke about a 6 penny arrears, which had Shack banned from the workmen’s club.
Few read music at that time and Violet has indeed taught herself to read music sufficiently, she says, to be able to look through books and pick tunes. Tunes used to be picked up by musicians from the wireless, especially from Norwegian broadcasts. She explained to me that Shetlanders also went to South Georgia on the whaling boats and mixed with and learned music from Norwegians, which is why Shetland music has such strong affinity with Norwegian music.
Violet didn’t only play piano and accordion, she also joined the Brass band, by chance. She was waiting for a friend who was at brass band practice. At the time the band was struggling for members and as she was there, she was asked to join. She enjoyed it, as it was something different and started playing the trumpet but changed to play 2nd cornet. She was among the first of the female band members to walk in the UHA-procession with the brass band.
When she was around 17 Violet went to Aberdeen and did a year’s domestic science course at the Robert Gordon College. Quite ironic, as she hates cooking. About this time she met Drew Tulloch and later married him at 21 years of age. Drew is a director of Hughson Bros wholesalers and although he doesn’t play an instrument, he is her strongest support and biggest critic. She says “he is so helpful in every way“. They have been heavily involved in the Up Helly Aa movement for many years, Drew was Guizer Jarl in 1969. In 1970 they became UHA-hosts at the Grand Hotel before moving on to the Clickimin Centre and they had 37 years as Host and Hostess before retiring. Violet proudly shows me the gift they were presented with then.
In Lerwick Violet worked in retail first in a chemist shop and later after it closed in Conochie's Newsagents. She worked with Alice Nicolson, mother of Alan and Colin. When I asked what she really wanted to be, she replies “Music Teacher or Antique Dealer”. She loves antiques, but when she was younger, there were not many opportunities, especially not for young women.
Family is important to Violet. She has 2 children Andrew who enjoys a very busy life as an Audio Engineer in London and Stewart who lives in Ellon and is a senior manager with a major oil company. She has 2 grand-children, Laura who plays the trombone and Louise plays piano, something which makes Violet a very proud granny. She has two brothers, Ian and Hughie (Ian lives in Lerwick, Hughie lives in Kent.) She sees her sister Jean as often as she can. Jean is a classroom assistant at a local school and is brilliant at IT, so she was a great help when it came to find the photos for this article.
Violet just likes harmonising with others. Her style has been called ‘impeccable, unobtrusive and supportive’, and she is much in demand. She leads an exciting life accompanying some of the foremost musicians of today. The people she has played with over the years reads as the who’s who of trad. music: Dr. Tom Anderson, Peerie Willie Johnson, Willie Hunter and Jim Halcrow and Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham. Moreover, of course, her lovely smiling face and twinkly eyes can be seen in the Jimmy Burgess Orchestra. She started playing with Jimmy in 1969 or thereabouts standing in for a UHA squad member and she just carried on from there. Recently she has accompanied extraordinary fiddler Bryan Gear, of whom she says she is very fond of and feels that they are “on the same wavelength musically and great friends".
She played a lot with Phil & Aly for a long time, but at one point she was a housewife with children, and could not do the touring required. She comments that Phil & Aly are so good together.
She loves slow airs and although she loves all kind of music, Scottish music is her first love. She loves to play music and perform, and spends a lot of time working on getting her art right. That she loves Shetland is very obvious. She states that it is a blessed place and that it produces some great musicians, not just fiddles, but all sorts of instrumentalists, perhaps because it is an island. She briefly mentions the music tuition taking place in so many places in Shetland right now, and that it is great to see so many kids take up an instrument. She herself has 20 pupils learning the piano. Violet plays the accordion next to them as they learn, and she is sure that is why they keep at it. “There’s nothing like live music.” She says she will still be teaching until she gets old. I did not dare ask her how old she was. She is one of these people who will always look youthful no matter their age.
While talking about tuition and music this lead to discussing what she feels is important for the younger generation. “Young people have so many opportunities that weren’t there when I started out. Then you learnt as you went along, with only a few to learn from”. Her advice is to work hard, be confident and to enjoy the music, but also to take time to listen to others. She feels it is important to connect with the audience and look as if you are enjoying yourself. With regard to Scottish Traditional music she feels that older music should be showcased more, so the roots of the music are not forgotten - it is music that no one else has. “Imagination and experimentation is good, but you have to know where the music comes from”. We both agreed that music is all about communication and that it is an International language.
She could not tell me which instrument she liked the best, but she does like to pick up the accordion and have a tune. Music by the way is not her only passion; she is also a mean bridge player and has been since she was 16. Apart from family this is a big part of her life outside her music.
Violet was induced into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2015, and it has meant so much to her, because it highlights the important work of accompanists. In 2016 she was asked to open the Shetland A & F Club’s festival. She was one of the founders of this club. The trophies of both events take pride of place in her lovely home alongside the UHA retiral presentation. Her life in music, whether live performances, radio broadcasts, tv-appearances makes this lady a most suitable recipient of the NAAFC Guest of Honour award.
Violet came from a generation inspired by the likes of Willie Johnson. Along with Ronald Cooper, they brought accompaniment to a new level. Her knowledge of chords and the music we play is second to none. Her teaching has provided Shetland with a new generation of players. She is a treasure to Shetland and over the years a great friend to me. Aly Bain
Violet has played second box with my band for many years. We seemed to gel right from the very start. The harmonies she put in to a lot of the tunes was great, and we both play Rancos, which gives us a different sound.
I am delighted that she is one of the Guests of honours at the annual lunch, and I am hoping to be present once more. Jimmy Burgess
Box and Fiddle
April 2017
