Fergus McCreadie set to follow in hallowed musical footsteps

HACS Harrogate Music Festival has a long tradition of spotting talent early, giving the likes of Amy Winehouse, Paloma Faith and Gregory Porter a platform before they became household names. And Fergus McCreadie, who leads the Fergus McCreadie Trio at The Crown Hotel, on June 29, is hotly tipped to follow in their footsteps.

The Scottish pianist and composer, whose unique style revolves around a fusion of contemporary jazz and Scottish folk music, is seen by many as one of the most exciting young jazz pianists around today.

His music is inspired by the landscapes of his homeland and has quickly garnered critical acclaim. His 2022 album, Forest Floor, topped the UK Jazz and Blues charts, led to sold-out performances across the UK, drew praise from the lies of BBC 6Music, The Times and NME, and earned him a Mercury Prize shortlist nomination, the 2022 Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year Award as well as the 2022 Scottish Album of the Year Award – the first jazz artist ever to be awarded the prize.

His follow-up album, Stream, which came out last year continues his exploration of the nature and landscapes of Scotland, this time delving into the essence of water.

McCreadie, an official Yamaha Artist, brings his evocative sound to this year’s Festival with what is sure to be another memorable performance.