The Jimmy Shand Story

03 March 2018, 19:30, Grand Opera House, Great Victoria Street Belfast, BT2 7HR

Runs to 03 March 2018

The Grand Opera House is delighted to be bringing a show to the stage on March 3 at 7.30pm featuring the Jimmy Shand story.

The show is a celebration of the life and music of the late Sir Jimmy Shand, prolific composer and renowned band leader, an international star and legend of Scottish Dance Music whose tunes continue to feature in the repertoire of most traditional accordionists and Dance Bands.  Jimmy was born in Fife in 1908 before his family moved to Auchtermuchty, where a larger than life size statue of him stands. He was awarded an MBE in 1962 and became Sir Jimmy Shand in 1999.   

On the Grand Opera House stage, the music is provided by the Brandon McPhee Scottish Band. As Brandon explains, “We all know his famous tunes, but do we remember the man who did so much for our musical heritage?”

Senior Scottish Accordion Champion and winner of many awards, including the highly coveted “Jimmy Shand Shield”, while still in his teens, Brandon has become well known across Britain and Ireland with many appearances on stage, radio and TV.

In this show, Brandon looks back at the life and music of his idol, a man who wrote more than 330 compositions and recorded more tracks than the Beatles and Elvis Presley combined!  

Brandon will be playing many of his favourite tunes, complemented by visual images and stories narrated live by acclaimed stage film and TV actor Dave Anderson (Gregory’s Girl, City Lights etc). Brandon also seizes the opportunity with both hands (and how!) to demonstrate the continuing relevance and versatility of the famous Hohner Shand Marino button accordion as only he can. Combine the music of the Old Master with the brilliance of the young maestro and you have the recipe for something very special.

This is a very unique show and will delight anyone with a Scottish heritage or simply those who have a love of accordion music.