Bridget Marsden has just won the Artist of the Year award at the 2016 Folk & World Music Awards in Sweden. Here is her account:-
Here I am, just after I received the Artist of the Year award at the 2016 Folk & World Music Awards in Sweden last weekend. The award was in recognition of my artistic work during 2015, and I’m thrilled and honoured to be the recipient of it! I’ve been cocooned in a little bubble of happiness since Saturday evening, and I am so touched by all of the kind words and wishes from friends near and far,thank you so much, it means a lot to me!
I love my work as a freelance musician, having the freedom to choose my own path, to play the music I love and to be part of an exciting, creative and curious working environment. But it can also be lonely and tough work at times, and I am so so grateful for the amazing network of friends, family and colleagues I have around me. Huge thanks for your continuous support, encouragement and inspiration!
Special thanks to Sven Ahlbäck, Susanne Rosenberg, Ellika Frisell, Ole Hjorth, Sousou Cissoko, Leif Ottosson, Emma Reid, Jon Holmén, Elin Nilsson, Sarah-Jane Summers, Erik Ronström, Sandra Marteleur, Ida Lindgren, Regina Rönnqvist, Tove Skeidsvoll and Transit Kulturinkubator – tid, råd och rum för konstnärliga verksamheter.
I’m so thankful to be on this journey with my violin, sharing music with fellow musicians and beautiful audiences all around, and I’m happy to be continuing on it with you all!
Here is the jury’s motivation:
Artist of the Year – Bridget Marsden
“An artist with drive and an impressive determination. A musician who does not compromise on quality and who, with curiosity, ploughs her own path. But the path does not always lead where you expect. We are thankful that the course changed, now we can all enjoy this talented, unique and highly prolific musician.”
You can see Bridget and Leif Ottosson at the Furness Tradition Festival in July, where they will also be performing ‘The Devils Purse’ with Dominic Kelly.