Former World Champion accordionist invited to teach instrument in the Caribbean

A Moray musician has been asked to travel to the Bahamas to reignite the country's love of the accordion.

Graeme Mackay, from Elgin, has been invited over there to help save the "dying art", as it's thought the box was initially introduced by Scots.

However, there has been a decline in the number of people able to teach the instrument.

Tutor Graeme is now hoping he can provide his expertise to increase interest.

Scots influence on accordion in the Caribbean

After winning the international title of his category at the “Conferation Mondial De Accordeon” (CMA) competition in 2021, Graeme has been inducted into the CMA as an ambassador for the diatonic button accordion representing the UK & Ireland for the organisation.

This led to University lecturer and musician Diane Hamilton inviting Graeme to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, this August to introduce the accordion to the next generation.

Graeme explained what he has been told about the instrument's historical ties to the Caribbean.

He said: "Settlers from Scotland introduced the button accordion to their local labourers to entertain themselves and others.

"They quickly learned their local folk music and since then, generations of musicians have followed in the footsteps, creating a music called Scrape & Rake.

"This is local folk songs played on the button accordion, the goat skin drum & a saw being played with a screwdriver."

Graeme's hoping to meet some of the island's elders to learn more about how Scottish people influenced life there as well as teaching youngsters.

He added: "If we can pass on some knowledge for them to stimulate their knowledge of the instrument and pass that onto the next generation, hopefully that's something which can be achieved."

To ensure the Nassau population don't have to contribute for the trip, a fundraising ceilidh is being held in Keith’s Longmore Community Hall on May 10th.

More details can be found at the Ceilidh Cabin Facebook page.

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