Ken Campbell's Ideal Band

The re-formed the Ideal Band bringing together three of Scotland's most respected and experienced musicians, touring professionally, with a new album on the Fellside Recordings - FECD226.

In the 1980's The Ideal Band was one of Scotland's most highly- respected Celtic folk bands, performing in festivals, concerts and clubs throughout the UK and beyond, together with their acclaimed album "A Measure of Freedom", following in the footsteps of Glasgow's "Bob Smith's Ideal Band" of the 1930's.

The new line up creates a unique blend of Ken Campbell's essentially Scottish songs together with the very best of musicianship.

KEN CAMPBELL ~ Vocals/Guitar/Spanish Lute

SEYLAN BAXTER ~ Cello/Electric Cello/Vocals

GAVIN PATERSON ~ Keyboards/Guitar/Vocals

KEN CAMPBELL
A Scottish Singer and songwriter who's pedigree has been well established over 25 years, with four albums to date, together with Festivals, Concerts, TV and Radio throughout UK, Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. Starting with Glasgow band "Molendinar", then as a duo with Chris Miller recording their much commended album "Pipers Maggott" with Topic Records of London, he then expanded that duo with Alasdair Robertson to become front man of the highly successful original "The Ideal Band".

He subsequently toured as a duo with Cauld Wind Piper Hamish Moore with whom he still collaborates, and then as a highly respected solo artist with two further acclaimed solo albums, "Going Solo" for Fellside and "Hand Pict" for Watercolour, whilst also working with Wendy Weatherby, cellist/singer/composer, Stevie Lawrence [Rallion / Red Hot Chilli Pipers / Iron Horse] and Blair Cowan [Lloyd Cole and the Commotions].

SEYLAN BAXTER
One of Scotland's best known traditional cellists and singer, she performs regularly with Alaskan harper Cheyenne Brown, with whom she released the critically acclaimed album 2:forty in 2007, and also with singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist Ruaridh Pringle as Tattie Jam. She has collaborated with foremost artists, including Margaret Bennett, and Ewan MacPherson, has toured internationally and recorded/performed with award winning Spanish band Acetre. Seylan is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she studied Scots cello and song, and where she is now a tutor. She also teaches at Alasdair Fraser's fiddle school on the Isle of Skye, the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop, and is the co-founder of the Scottish Harp and Cello Festival

GAVIN PATERSON
Pianist, keyboards, and multi instrumentalist. One of Scotland's most experienced, accomplished and professional all round musicians and musical directors, Over 25 years experience within every genre from folk/roots/rock/world music right through the entire musical spectrum. Founding member of "21 RED" Scotland's most highly regarded and established function band since 1985. Musical director of twelve piece "Dexy's Bootleg Runners", and founder and musical director for six piece "Whappit Ben" blending songs from the UK and USA folk/trad repertoire with material from other fields.