John Carnie is a guitarist and singer known for his fusion of styles ranging from driving acoustic blues and flatpicking Irish reels to jazzy guitar and folk, blues & original songs. He combines elements of Scottish, Irish, Jazz and blues roots music. His bluesy acoustic guitar style has been compared to Rory Gallagher's playing (RTE Radio 1) whilst his folk playing to that of Dick Gaughan, Tony McManus and Arty McGlynn (Folk Roots Magazine). His "Far from Home" album was described by Scotland on Sunday as "an exposition of fleet-fingered flatpicking". He incorporates a wide range of traditional Scottish, blues and folk songs into his repertoire. Jazz, and in particular Django Reinhardt, is passion. A recent sell out Edinburgh Festival show (Tangled Up in the Blues) in August 2022 with harmonica virtuoso, and long time sparring partner Spider Mackenzie, focused on the bluesier songs of Bob Dylan.
In a solo concert situation you could expect a variety of styles from Irish slip jigs to a Rory Gallagher ragtime; from a Richard Thompson number to a self composed song; a slow Django Reinhardt tune via some bottleneck blues or a Scottish traditional ballad. The guitar playing is always to the fore with the aim of bringing out the spirit of tradition and improvisation. He is the author of the Scottish Guitar Tutor Book, published by Taigh na Teud/Scotland's Music and has written for various publications on folk and blues guitar..
His "Far from Home" CD was the first album to focus on traditional Scottish only jigs and reels and still found room to incorporate jazz double bass solos and blues harmonica. He is experienced in leading guitar masterclasses and workshops in a variety of styles. He has recently given masterclasses over 2 consecutive years at the prestigious UK Guitar Show in London and was the principal guitar instructor at the Living Tradition Summer School. He taught at Scottish Culture and Traditions for many years before becoming a board director of the organisation. Early bands included pioneering ceilidh rockers Desperate Danz Band and the acoustic blues trio Off the Tracks with Janice Clark and Spider Mackenzie, who recently reformed for a special Stonehaven Folk Festival anniversary concert in a double header with Dougie MacLean.
In a solo concert situation you could expect a variety of styles from Irish slip jigs to a Rory Gallagher ragtime; from a Richard Thompson number to a self composed song; a slow Django Reinhardt tune via some bottleneck blues or a Scottish traditional ballad. The guitar playing is always to the fore with the aim of bringing out the spirit of tradition and improvisation. He is the author of the Scottish Guitar Tutor Book, published by Taigh na Teud/Scotland's Music and has written for various publications on folk and blues guitar..
His "Far from Home" CD was the first album to focus on traditional Scottish only jigs and reels and still found room to incorporate jazz double bass solos and blues harmonica. He is experienced in leading guitar masterclasses and workshops in a variety of styles. He has recently given masterclasses over 2 consecutive years at the prestigious UK Guitar Show in London and was the principal guitar instructor at the Living Tradition Summer School. He taught at Scottish Culture and Traditions for many years before becoming a board director of the organisation. Early bands included pioneering ceilidh rockers Desperate Danz Band and the acoustic blues trio Off the Tracks with Janice Clark and Spider Mackenzie, who recently reformed for a special Stonehaven Folk Festival anniversary concert in a double header with Dougie MacLean.
