Colin's off to Malawi! New album demos in the backpack...

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Hi All

I'm off to Malawi to visit the Mary's Meals project out there in advance of the gig listed below. More details of the visit are on the press release below too. 

You can read my tales and hear/see some impromptu performances out there on my own blog: http://colinmacintyre.typepad.com/blog

Cheers!

Colin

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Mull musician Colin MacIntyre to travel to the musical heart of Africa ahead of Mary's Meals Music Concert

Two of Scotland's leading musical talents leave the UK for Malawi today (Wednesday 20th), for a week-long visit that will see them perform in schools and meet children who benefit from the work of the local charity that they both support.

Colin MacIntyre (the man behind Mull Historical Society), and Donald Shaw, the Artistic Director of the Celtic Connections festival, will travel to Africa to see the work of Mary's Meals, which runs school feeding projects in developing countries.

The visit comes just a few days before Mary’s Meals Music, a benefit concert the two friends have organised at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow, to raise funds and awareness for the Argyll-based charity that feeds over 420,000 children worldwide. The line-up includes Jon Fratelli, Colin MacIntyre, Eddi Reader, Tommy Reilly, Roddy Hart & Washington Irving. BBC Introducings' Vic Galloway will be DJ/MC. 

During their visit to Malawi, Donald and Colin will see the impact that a meal a day in school can have on children's health and education. They will visit a primary school in Balaka, a region often plagued by food shortages, to play music alongside pupils and meet local musicians, and will spend a morning at a pre-school centre in Blantyre where younger children (those most at risk during food shortages) receive a daily meal.

“I am delighted to be a part of the concert and to help showcase the incredible work Mary’s Meals do. Going to see their work in action will be a trip of a lifetime. And the concert is a great opportunity for me and band to play tracks from my new album.” said Colin MacIntyre, a recipient of Top Creative Talent at the Spirit of Scotland Awards. His new work is scheduled for release in Spring 2011. 

Colin and Donald leave for Malawi the day after the launch of the 2011 Celtic Connections music festival. Mary’s Meals Music, which is supported by Celtic Connections, will benefit its projects in 15 countries. Tickets are priced at £18 – the average cost for Mary’s Meals to feed two children in school for a year.

Malawi is known as ‘the warm heart of Africa’ and is home to a variety of musical styles including Kwela (involving whistles and a skiffle beat) and Malawian jazz (an acoustic variation, using traditional instruments) – MacIntyre will be blogging his experiences at www.colinmacintyre.com.

          Mary’s Meals Music on Friday, October 29th. Tickets are available from Glasgow Concert Halls on 0141 353 8000 or www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

-  Colin MacIntyre will introduce songs from his new album at the gig, due out in Spring 2011, as well as MHS favourites. It will be the first major solo appearance for John Fratelli (of the Fratellis) and will feature previously unheard songs from his new album, as well as Fratellis numbers. 

- For more information and to request interviews, contact louisa.mclennan@marysmeals.org 01838 200605.