Roo Geddes

Roo Geddes is a multi-instrumentalist, educator and producer from Glasgow, Scotland.

As the first violinist to study a Jazz Masters degree in Scotland, he encompasses a unique range of musical styles in his playing. He is a part-time lecturer for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and an Ambassador for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. His work stretches beyond performing and teaching, organising the award-winning Tea and a Tune concert series while coordinating EcoFolkies, a collective of traditional musicians engaging with the climate crisis.

A finalist in last year’s BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year and with a Bachelors degree (hons 1.1) in classical violin, his practice spans the breadth and depth of Scotland’s vibrant musical culture. He has toured extensively, performing around the world with artists such as Rod Stewart and Dougie Maclean. His work spans collaborations with orchestras in the UK and Ireland, as well as with his own ensembles such as ‘Roo & Neil’ - who were selected as winners of Fèis Rois’ ‘In Tune with Nature’ Competition and are recipients of Celtic Connections’ prestigious Danny Kyle award. His trio ‘Awkward Family Portraits’ maintain a busy performing schedule and are working on their third studio album while Bletherin, a Piano/Violin/Tabla trio are exploring the spaces between western and Indian musical styles. His duo Darach, with Galician guitarist Hugo Franco released their debut album this year to significant crital acclaim playing at international festivals such as Festival Interceltique de Lorient (France), Festival de Ortigueira (Spain), and Celtic Connections (Scotland). As a soloist, Roo has been invited to perform concertos with orchestras such as the Glasgow Symphony Orchestra, Glasgow Symphonia and the Peebles Symphony.

A passionate educator, Roo has worked with a variety of charities and organisations including El Sistema, St Leonards International Baccalaureate School and Glasgow City Council. He holds a Diploma with distinction in Instrumental Teaching from the ABRSM in London and coordinates the Fèis na h-Apainne, which champions the Gaelic language through the provision of music workshops and instrumental lessons. His pedagogy is in high demand and he has given workshops internationally for institutions such as the Athenry Music School (Ireland), the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers (USA), and for PRISMA (Mexico).

Last year saw the release of his debut solo album ‘Close’; a collection of his own arrangements and compositions spanning his upbringing in Classical and traditional Scottish music. The work features pieces composed by his late grandfather and world-renowned composer, John Maxwell Geddes. It is performed on Roo’s great, great grandfather’s violin alongside performances from his aunt, mother and grandmother. Roo currently is working in India, touring as a soloist and teaching with a variety of music schools and charities across the country. For the final three months of 2025, Roo embarked on a tour of India performing at festivals and teaching for schools and charities across 6 different states. To start the year, he returned to the UK to premier a new large scale composition commissioned from him by Celtic Connections, followed by touring in Australia, Belgium, Spain and France.

Taal : Engels