Ian Melrose was born in Middlesbrough, England. As a childhe moved back to Ayr in Scotland with his Scottish parents and younger brother.Ian’s father was a member of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, so traditionalmusic was always there somewhere. His early influences were the famous figuresfrom the “British school of guitar-playing” i.e. Davey Graham, John Renbourn,Bert Jansch and John Martyn.

Based in Berlin since 1981, he has made a name for himselfon the European acoustic scene not only as a soloist but also with theScandinavian-Celtic duo Kelpie, Four-Styles Guitar Festival and the Leuchter-Melrose Duo. He has done extensive tours of Germany,Holland, Italy, Norway and Canada and has done studio jobs for many well-knownartists as well as writing film music. He was lead guitarist with the Irishcult band CLANNAD from 1996 – 1999and can be heard on “Clannad:Live”and the grammy-winning album Landmarks. He currently writes afingerstyle column for the national German magazine “Akustik Gitarre” and hasappeared on over 90 albums. He is an endorser for Avalon guitars, DR strings,MarkAcoustic guitar amps, G7th Capos and Findholm stomp boxes.

Fingerstyle: Celtic-jazzy-bluesy …..

In his solo concerts Ianplays pieces from his critically acclaimed albums Wolves, Between theSighs, A Scottish Legacy, A Shot inthe Dark and his current album Aroundthe Corner in 80 Minutes (Acoustic Music Records) It is not only the “breathtaking fingerwork”(BerlinerMorgenpost) which impresses his audiences, but also his “warm and expressive voice”(BerlinerZeitung). His guitar compositions show a strong leaning towards his “Celticroots“, where elements of Irish & Scottish dance tunes and ballads mixeasily with South-American rhythms and jazz harmonies

“..displays Melrose as one of the best Celtic-based fingerpickers on the scene...” Acoustic Guitar (USA)

“ .. a first-class guitarist ...... a brilliant fingerpicker!“

THE TIMES (GB)

“Bow down -- a guitar god is in the house, or at least in the CD player.In a breathtaking 52 minutes, Ian Melrose graces us with 15 tracks and 21Scottish fiddle tunes played on the acoustic and slide guitars. When it's allover, we're agog at his virtuosity, but also blessed for the beauty he's broughtus, all for the cost of a CD.” RAMBLES- online culture magazine (USA)

“Ian Melrose, sat like a cat amongst the pigeons on the stage,surrounded by some of the finest guitar players in Canada. The atmosphere wasamenable and the audience attentive until Ian played. Suddenly the mouths ofeveryone in the room, including those on stage, dropped open. Could this guyplay! By his third song in the round, the anticipation buzzing around the crowdwas electrifying. He then polished off the theme to the Pink Panther in fine style. It is one of those amazingexperiences of which festival memories are made.“ FOLK PRINTS - Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Newsletter (CAN)