Roo Geddes

Roo Geddes is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer from Glasgow, Scotland. He holds degrees in Classical music (BMus hons 1:1) and Jazz (MA) from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is active across a uniquely range of genres and styles.

His orchestral experiences have taken him across the UK, Ireland, Spain and Germany and has appeared as a guest soloist with orchestras including the Glasgow Symphony Orchestra, Peebles Symphony Orchestra, and the Glasgow School’s Symphony Orchestra.

At home, Roo is busy writing and touring with his own projects. ‘Roo & Neil’ (www.rooandneil.com) are a multi award winning duo who compose music inspired by communities and landscapes, drawing on their shared experiences across classical and traditional folk music. ‘Awkward Family Portraits’ distil “wicked musical moonshine” from rockabilly, bluegrass, vaudeville and Western swing influences, while ‘Romacaleo’ combine the Gypsy Jazz of Stephane Grappelli with Klezmer and the infectiously capricious swing of Benny Goodman!

Roo also tours extensively with ‘Johnny Mac and the Faithful’ – “a rip-roaring band of Celtic Rock vagabonds”. Formed on request from Sir Rod Stewart as the support band for his UK tour, the band’s first concerts were supporting the legendary popstar on his 2018 stadium tour. Since then, the band have catapulted into the Top-40 charts with their debut album ‘Midnight Glasgow Rodeo’. They have worked with a star-studded list of musicians including the Pogoes, ABBA, The Fratellis, and The Bay City Rollers. In May, they’ll hit the road on their UK and Ireland tour, before engagements in Australia and the US early next year.

Roo also loves teaching and holds a Diploma in Instrumental Teaching (with Distinction) from the ABRSM in London. He teaches violin and general musicianship with organisations including the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Celtic Connections and El Sistema and is part-time lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He also manages and directs Fèis na h-Apainne, a community music initiative which aims to celebrate traditional music and the Gàidhlig language through the teaching of traditional Scottish Music.
Photo Credit: Robbie McFadzean