audAbility comprises Vicky Haylott (vox & pno), Robbie Murray (bs), Larry Sanderson (kys), John McAdie (kys), David Christopher (gtr & vox), Tom Scott (pno), Rick Bamford (dms & perc). We also featured, on the recording, as our special guest, Joel Sanderson on cello

The band got together in 2001, following a suggestion to Drake from John McAdie who was keen to work with musicians in a similar position, to himself. Quite by chance the assembled musicians made up just the right format for a powerful 7-piece band.

‘Walking on Sun’’ was written by Larry and David. Larry studied violin at Chetham’s specialist music school and went on from there to study at the Royal Northern College in Manchester . Among groups Larry has played with are ‘Contos Soul’ samba band ‘Waulk Electric’, electric folk band. Larry met Rick while they were both playing on the London music scene.

Rick is Technical Manager for Drake Music Project Scotland . In his ‘role’ as drummer/percussionist extraordinaire Rick’s career includes such groups as Penguin Café Orchestra, Lost Jockey Orchestra, Cauld Blast Orchestra, Mr McFall’s Chamber, Bag o’ Cats and many others. He is currently playing with Infinite Trio and can be seen in the Shore Bar in Leith .

‘Adam’s Song’ is a tale of David’s, looking back on the experience of mental health issues as experienced by a friend of his. David studied at the RSAMD in Glasgow and has worked extensively writing music for theatre with such names as Theatre Workshop and writer John Harvey.

‘Burning Bridges’ is an emotional tour de force from vocalist Vicky that serves as a warning to negative attitudes. Vicky started music writing at the age of 8, and went on to study performing arts and music technology . Currently Vicky is teaching piano and sound engineering.

Tom, who plays piano on all the tracks featured here, is employed on a freelance basis by Drake and has a vital role in audAbility’s arrangements and rehearsals. He studied music at Edinburgh University , currently works on the Edinburgh Jazz scene and plays with Rick in Infinite Trio.

Robbie, who joined the band more recently to play bass studied computing at Edinburgh University , and is Vicky’s partner and proud father of Aiden.

John McAdie, is an energetic and enthusiastic keyboard player and provided much of the initial drive to get audAbility off the ground. Heaven To Me’, was written by both John and David and John’s songwriting contribution continues to grow. He is also currently playing in a ceilidh band.

Recording the first album has really brought the group into a new kind of focus. The recording at Castle Sound Studios has all the hallmarks of the kind of sound quality we all associate with high quality recording studios and fantastic engineering skills of Stuart Hamilton, the in-house engineer. Initially we had hoped to have the whole work done and dusted almost as soon as the recording had taken place, but our ambitions and lean purse strings meant that we would have to bide our time. Various life changing events took place, with the new arrival of Aiden into the world for proud mum and dad Vicky and Robbie being the most significant. The group keeps active though, with regular rehearsals and jamming sessions towards writing new material. We have also been gearing ourselves up for a music theatre piece with writer John Harvey, who has made a significant contribution to writing Scottish Theatre for over 25 years. He has worked with band members on a variety of projects in the past. Last year saw the revival of music-theatre piece ‘Not Walking On the Cracks‘, in Aberdeen by John and David. The new piece which will devised by John Harvey and all members of audAbility promises to be new, exciting and imaginative.

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