Scots Trad Award Nominee
Alan Reid

(vocal, keyboard, guitar, piano accordion)

Alan was a vital member of Battlefield
Band from it's inception in 1969 till his departure in 2010.
In that time he toured all over the world and made almost
30 recordings with the band, working with such artists as
Garrison Keillor, Van Morrison and Mike Oldfield.
They won awards in Germany, Britain and the U.S. and
throughout Alan was at the heart of the band, his keyboards
underpinning the bagpipes and the fiddle. In being the first to
use keyboards as an integral part of a traditional folk
band Alan’s contribution to the band’s story has ensured it’s
stature in Scottish culture as well as its influence on many
of today's Celtic musicians.

Alan’s singing has long been respected by his peers,
illustrated when he was invited to participate in the
Linn Recordings series on the complete works of Robert Burns.
Moreover his songwriting has grown in stature ever since
the 1980s when his songs first appeared in the band
repertoire, lyrical songs steeped in history , strong
in storytelling and rich in  melody.

His first solo album 'The Sunlit Eye' featuring new songs
and tunes was released in 1998 and was followed up
with a song and tune book 'Martyrs, Rogues and
Worthies' in 2001. Since then he has recorded two albums in his
partnership with Rob, "Under The Blue” and
"The Rise and Fall o' Charlie" both of which showcase
many of his works. 

In 2009 he was nominated at the Scottish Tradition Awards
in the composer of the year category and in 2011 “Recollection”
was released, an album of his own choice of songs from his long
career with Battlefield Band.
Alan, along with Rob, is currently putting the finishing
touches to an album on the life of John Paul Jones,
a project for which he has composed all the music.


Alan plays a Yamaha P-80 electronic piano, Hohner student
accordion and a Yamaha FG-160e guitar.

Rob van Sante

(vocals, guitars, mandolin, synthesizers, percussion, programming)

Rob is a guitarist of exceptional skill and subtlety.
He was born in the Netherlands and begun playing
guitar at an early age.  As his interest in music
developed, he became influenced by the best
of Folk, Rock, R&B and Blues.   During the 1970's,
80's and 90's he toured extensively throughout
Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
He has worked with such stalwarts
of the British Folk and Jazz scene as
Danny Thompson, Jon Strong, Tom Napper, Tom
McConville, Kate Rusby, John McCusker, Gordon Tyrrall,
Tim Wood, Patsy Matheson and many more.

Rob has worked for Battlefield Band for
13 years as their sound engineer for
both live and recorded work.  He accompanied
them on all their tours as their 'fifth'
member and when not on the road, Rob
can be found at work in his recording studio in
his adopted home town of Leeds, recording and
producing albums for local, national and
inter-national musicians.

Rob has appeared on many albums displaying his
virtuoso vocal ability both as a lead and
harmony singer, also showcasing his undoubted
instrumental skills to the project in question.
All these strands come together to make a
perfect foil to Alan and his music.
 

Rob plays a Martin D-28, a Harmony H1260, an Ovation
Balladeer and a Quiles C-2 nylon strung concert guitar.
He uses DADGAD, DADDAD, CGCGCC, CGDGAD,
CGDGCD and standard tunings. 

Together

In this collaboration Alan Reid & Rob van Sante present an evening

of both old and new music, featuring Alan's compositions, Battlefield Band

favourites and Rob's own songs. Their show combines the solid open tuned guitar style of Rob,

the keyboard, guitar and accordion of Alan and the fine harmony singing of both,

ensuring an excellent night's entertainment.

Alan and Rob are also available for song writing and guitar workshops.