Review for Jura Ceilidh Band

Experience, musicality and a passion for sharing Scottish ceilidh culture with everyone. These are qualities that really count and that set the Jura Ceilidh Band apart from most other ceilidh bands.

Happy brides and grooms say it all:

‘An absolutely fantastic time had by all, whether Scottish, English, American, Swedish or Danish. Everyone joined in and had a wee ball!’ (Jenna & Russell Morrow)

‘Any ceilidh band who can make grown English men behave like 4 year old boys are worth their weight in gold!’ (Rose & Trevor, London)

We’ve know The Jura Ceilidh Band for ten years and have to say that they remain our personal favourite. We only offer acts that exceed expectations but ‘JCB’ go further than that, they consistently offer the best ceilidh and Celtic music from first flight musicians with an attitude of fun, open sharing, patiently teaching the dance steps while keeping the party atmosphere going.

The band is lead by Ross Kennedy, one of Scotland’s greatest traditional singers, whose commanding guitar playing and rich, distinctive voice lends a deep authenticity to every song. He brings his musical experience from time spent honing his musical talents with the Tannerhill Weavers, Iron Horse, Canterach, and as a much-in-demand traditional and piping record producer, to arrange every tune, song and set to concert-performance level. In fact JCB has essentially the same lineup as Canterach, the powerful up-tempo Celtic band that have made a name for themselves playing in recent years at festivals in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and of course Scotland, but just scaled down for ceilidhs.

The usual four-piece lineup for JCB is guitar & vocals (Ross Kennedy), fiddle, reel pipes & Highland bagpipes, and percussion but they are happy to adjust to your requirements, such as substituting accordion for the pipes. They’re also available as a three-piece without percussion if you have a restricted budget or if there’s a shortage of space in your venue.

With the full four-piece band, one band member can come out onto the dancefloor to demonstrate the steps as necessary, which leaves three musicians to keep the tunes going. When you have the the three-piece there’s always an expert caller in the band, but all the musicians are needed on stage to make music!

We often say that, if you’re expecting more than 70 guests, it’s definitely better to go for a four-piece since the extra bodies on the dance floor soak up a surprising amount of the sound from the PA. Not that the full band is too loud. The Jura Ceilidh Band have been playing the same select hotel at Hogmanay for half a dozen years for 25 to 30 guests and the band are invited back year after year because of the delighted feedback from the dancers.

JCB represent superb value, playing astounding music, always quoting very competitive prices and are willing to travel literally all over Scotland, they’ve played for weddings on the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Borders and Ayrshire during 2010/11 among many other places.

Strongest points for Jura Ceilidh Band: