Reid & van Sante

Jan. 25, 1759, is the birthday of the famed Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Scottish Societies here and abroad will celebrate the anniversary month with special dinners and events, as they do every year. This year, Fiddlers Crossing will also celebrate by presenting one of Scotland's best contemporary bards, Alan Reid, a founder of the famed Battlefield Band, on Friday, Jan. 29, at 7 pm. This will be Reid's second time in Fiddlers Crossing, and he will again be joined by Dutch-born Rob van Sante, the Battlefield Band's sound engineer for 13 years and considered its "fifth member."

Both musicians are giants in the Scottish music scene. Alan Reid was the keyboard player for Battlefield Band for 40 years and composed many of the group's songs. Before joining Battlefield, van Sante worked with some of the top British folk and jazz artists, including Kate Rusby, John McCusker, and Gordon Tyrrall.

Playing guitars and keyboards, the two will present an evening of old and new Scottish music, featuring many of Reid's lyrical songs that are steeped in history and storytelling, and rich in melody. Van Sante compliments Reid's accordion and keyboard playing with virtuosic open-tuned guitar work. And yes, you can be sure Robbie Burns will not be forgotten.

A chilly January evening in the mountains is the perfect setting for an outstanding musical celebration of Scotland with two of the Caledonia's contemporary best.

Fiddlers Crossing is at 206 East F Street at Robinson Street, in Downtown Tehachapi. Tickets may be purchased next door at Mountain Music, at Tehachapi Treasure Trove, Tehachapi Furniture in Old Town, and Lucky's Barbershop, or online through Fiddlerscrossing.com. Tickets to the concert are $20, and as always, coffee and goodies are included. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.