Ian Melrose: solo acoustic fingerstyle guitarist (Celtic and contemporary), dobro and low whistle player, studio musician, ex-Clannad lead guitarist, member of Kelpie, Norland Wind, Island Tapes project and Talking Water, arranger, producer ... many facets of a musical personality.
..... a top-class guitarist ... brilliant fingerpicker! THE TIMES (GB)
....one of the best Celtic-based fingerpickers on the scene ACOUSTIC GUITAR (USA)
He's good.. damn good... ONLINE MUSIK MAGAZIN (D)
Celtic folk meets jazz ... the enormously picturesque audio-visual character of Melrose's playing can also be heard in his original compositions, inspired by such diverse sources as old piano-roll music, Nessie, life in a big city and various films. He profits from a brilliant technique coupled with a relaxed, elegant virtuosity. Melrose, who only rarely sings on his CDs, also turned out to be an expressive singer and a brilliant whistle-player.. WESER KURIER (D)
Ian was signed up in 2001 by Europe's most prestigious acoustic guitar label ACOUSTIC MUSIC RECORDS, and has quickly become one of the labels best-selling and major featured artists. As well as four solo CDs he has also written a book of guitar transcriptions of Scottish fiddle music. Apart from solo and ensemble concerts all over the world, including many major festivals e.g. Montreal Jazz Festival (CAN), Celtic Connections (SCO), Open Strings (D), Dranouter Folk Festival (B), Kirkmichael & Ullapool Guitar Festivals (SCO), International Guitar Tour (Hungary), International Guitar Festival of Genua (It) and Festival Interceltique de Lorient (F), he does studio work for film and TV productions, and continues to produce and arrange for various artists.