Biography
Phil Cunningham, the younger sibling of Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham, merged a command of Celtic musical traditions with a melodically rich compositional approach. Joining Silly Wizard in 1976, he remained with the group until 1988 and, having started accordion lessons at age three, played a key role in reviving interest in his homeland’s traditional repertoire. He issued two notable solo releases, Airs & Graces in 1984 and The Palomino Waltz in 1989, while also taking part in several influential projects. Following the band’s dissolution, he collaborated intermittently with his older brother; their 1980 duo album, Against the Storm, preceded a mid-’80s partnership with Irish siblings Triona NiDomhnaill and Michael O'Domhnaill that produced two Relativity albums and extensive touring. A 1988 television appearance alongside fiddler Aly Bain of the Boys of the Lough initiated an enduring duo that has delivered annual Scottish tours and the 1994 album The Pearl. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s Cunningham concentrated on production work for artists such as Dolores Keane and Altan while also composing and serving as musical director for theater productions. He supplied the instrumental score and musical direction for Bill Bryden’s 1990 staging of The Ship and acted as associate music director for Bryden’s The Big Picnic in 1994. In addition, he directed music for four series of the BBC Scotland Gaelic and traditional program Talla a' Bhaile as well as the broadcaster’s Hogmanay Live. His orchestral composition The Highlands and Islands Suite received its premiere at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in January 1997. With his partner Wendy, Cunningham launched the 24-track digital facility CAP Recording Studios outside Inverness in the Scottish Highlands in October 1993.
Albums
