The Isle of Bute is, perhaps, best known as being a tourist destination of yesteryear, a place where your family has fond memories of steam boats, ice cream and variety entertainment. Nowadays, the theatres have gone and it is only the Cal Mac ferry that visits the island regularly and, although the ice cream is still available, the thrill and excitement of the pre WWII era has long disappeared, or has it?
Musician Tim Saul has shared the bill with legends such as Shirley Bassey and Acker Bilk and has been involved with organising Bute’s famous jazz festival for several years now and his band, the Tim Saul Quartet/Quintet, has featured not only in the yearly event, but has become a mainstay in the cultural life of the island. When musician Alec Mack arrived on Bute to finish his studies in the spring of 2013, the pair quickly became friends and their shared love of Gypsy jazz meant that it was not long before the guitars were out.
Joined by Paul McKay – formerly of the Hallé Orchestra – on bass and Keith McIntyre on rhythm guitar, the group play European influenced swing music in the manner of renowned Belgian Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. This year they have brought out their first album, Les Gitanes, featuring the virtuoso playing of Edinburgh based clarinettist John Burgess, which is available through their website www.lesgitanes.uk . They can also be seen at this year’s Fyne Fest to be held between the 2nd and 4th June at Fyne Ales Brewery in Cairndow, Argyll. Les Gitanes will be perfroming at 1.15pm on the Saturday (3rd) and tickets are available at http://www.fynefest.com .
Dark Island Guided Tours 