Latest news with #DomPipkin
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Jazz legend sets the tone to mark launch of Stirling's newest live music venue
Dom Pipkin, described by Blues in Britain as "one of the world's greatest exponents of New Orleans piano", entertained guests at the Golden Lion Hotel's Cronies bar. Stirling's flourishing cultural and musical landscape continues to expand with the unveiling of a new piano lounge within the historic Golden Lion Hotel. Patrons and special invitees were treated to a performance by one of the world's most celebrated jazz and blues artists, Dom Pipkin, on Wednesday evening (July 9) at the hotel's Cronies bar. The renowned pianist and composer drew a diverse crowd, including local musicians and creative talents from the area. Pipkin, hailed by Blues in Britain as "one of the world's greatest exponents of New Orleans piano", has established himself as a fixture in the US city's music scene, gracing stages at events including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival and the prestigious 'Piano Night'. Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: "I lived in New Orleans for a time and I'm a huge fan of Dom and his music. It was incredible to see him play in Stirling and it's yet another milestone in the city's growing reputation for arts, music and culture. "The evening at the Golden Lion set the bar for our fantastic hospitality industry and will hopefully spark more innovation and attractions across the sector to boost our appeal to both residents and visitors. "We've got so much going on in Stirling and we're committed to working with our communities, local organisations and businesses to unleash the area's full cultural potential and maximise the benefits of a vibrant night-time economy." Hotel owners, Gary and Ros Atkinson, first encountered Dom's musical talent years ago at Ronnie Scott's in London. Ros recalled: "The moment he started to play it took our breath away and we immediately booked him for our Scottish hotel. "Since then, we have been lucky to become good friends and watch him perform may times, including in Europe with his band Morcheeba. "We have created our Cronies Piano Lounge as a stylish and relaxed venue for cool music and classic cocktails and were thrilled when he immediately agreed to play and launch our series of lounge music piano nights. It was great to see the audience appreciate the art of a true British jazz legend." The hotel is recruiting a line-up of top pianists to perform Friday nights, Saturday afternoons and evenings, and Sunday Jazz Lunch. A full schedule will be released shortly. The Golden Lion, a 66-bedroom establishment and the oldest building on King Street, boasts notable ties to Rabbie Burns. As part of the Bloody Scotland crime-writing festival in September, it will host The Whisky Night – an evening of spirited conversation and music. The event will feature appearances from Rebus creator Sir Ian Rankin, singer-songwriter James Yorkston, Colin MacIntyre of Mull Historical Society, and author Natalie Jayne Clark. Mr Atkinson, a business ambassador for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and a member of their Scottish Business Advisory Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the city's potential. He said: "This is a great city with a great hospitality offering and we are working closely with local tourism, businesses and the council to promote Stirling. There are exciting times ahead and it's great to have so much local support." Councillor McGarvey further emphasised the importance of collaboration, saying: "Having dynamic partnerships with creative entrepreneurs like Gary and the local hospitality and tourism trade is at the heart of our strategy to build our offering to local residents and UK and international visitors." Ewan Duncan, the owner of Europa Music in Stirling's Friars Street, Scotland's largest vinyl record shop, shared his delight at the return of live music events. He said: "It was great to see live music with a world-class jazz pianist in a hotel back on the up and up and to have such an appreciative audience there to enjoy it." Dom said: "I'm just lucky they want to listen to me as an artist doing what I do. I was delighted to support the new venture by Gary and Ros and spread my alternative blues gospel. I will be back later in the year and wish them and every artist performing here every success."
Daily Record
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Top jazz musician set for music nights at historic Stirling city centre hotel
Dom Pipkin has been signed up for the opening by the new owners of the Golden Lion venue in the city. One of the world's greatest jazz and blues musicians is to launch a series of lounge music piano nights at one of Scotland's most historic hotels. Piano player and songwriter Dom Pipkin has been signed up for the opening by the new owners of the Golden Lion in Stirling. Pipkin has been described by Blues in Britain as 'one of the world's greatest exponents of New Orleans piano' and will be performing on Wednesday July 9. Hotelier and entrepreneur Gary Atkinson said: 'We're thrilled to have a true British jazz legend tinkling the ivories as we create Cronies Piano Lounge - a new home for superb music and classic cocktails. 'My partner Ros and I have had the pleasure of seeing Dom perform initially in Ronnie Scotts in London, with Morcheeba in Cologne and, of course, in our Aberdeen hotel a few times. Once he dons that iconic hat and starts to play his unique mix of Big Easy sounds and songwriting with blues, it simply takes your breath away. 'The Golden Lion is the oldest building on King Street and has famous connections to Rabbie Burns and we hope that we can create our own piece of history and culture by introducing a vibrant music and arts scene for a modern discerning local clientele. 'We are already eagerly awaiting the appearance of Rebus creator Sir Ian Rankin at this year's Bloody Scotland crime-writing festival in September. He will be joined at the hotel by singer-songwriter James Yorkston, Mull Historical Society's Colin MacIntyre and author Natalie Jayne Clark for The Whisky Night – a late-night dram with a blend of lively banter and songs.' Gary is no stranger to the hospitality and music scene, having previously owned and ran hotels and many premium stadiums, hosting some of the greatest artists including Oasis, Harry Styles, Bruce Springsteen, and Beyonce. Pipkin studied jazz at the Royal Academy of Music and has played prestigious venues such as the acclaimed 'Piano Night' in New Orleans. He is also a touring member of Morcheeba, performs with his band The Ikos, and has played with numerous leading artists including Ray Davies and David Byrne. He has shared stages with legends such as Allen Toussaint , Dr John and Screamin' Jay Hawkins, with Grammy award winner Jon Cleary inviting him to jam whenever he's in town. Fans include Jonathan Ross, Hugh Laurie, David Arnold, and Jamie Cullum. Pipkin first discovered the New Orleans style in the early 90s and has become a regular performer in that city, with appearances that include the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival. A fixture on the European blues and boogie-woogie festival circuit, he has played thousands of club in a career spanning nearly three decades. During the Covid lockdown he performed more than 120 broadcast shows from his home and completed his solo album 'C'mon Sunshine' - an all-original collection of songs on the subject of hope. On screen, Pipkin stars in the Netflix thriller, Black Doves, and A Thousand Blows by the creators of Peaky Blinders. Pipkin will also return later in the year and the hotel is recruiting a regular line-up of top pianists to perform Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons and evenings, and Sunday Jazz Lunch. A full entertainment and event schedule for Cronies will be released shortly. The 66-bedroom hotel is almost 240 years old and features a majestic golden lion above the entrance porch. With its central location, it has been a long-standing favourite for diners, travellers and for friends to catch up, including Burns and his Cronies. In August 1787, he and his travelling companion Willie Nicol stayed at The Golden Lion and in the evening they were joined by local businessman Christopher Bell. At the time the Castle was very rundown and this inspired Burns to write the famous 'Stirling Lines' and etched the verse on a pane of glass in his second-floor bedroom. 'Here Stuarts once in glory reign'd, And laws for Scotland's weal ordain'd ; But now unroof 'd their palace stands, Their sceptre's sway'd by other hands. The injur'd Stuart line is gone, A race outlandish fills their throne An idiot race, to honour lost : Who know them best despise them most.' Realising his lament for the deposed Stuart line and shock at the dilapidated state of the Castle had caused offence, Burns returned to the hotel in October and smashed the pane of glass with the butt of his riding crop. Gary shares: 'Our Cronies bar and restaurant was named in honour of our Burns heritage and aimed to capture that spirit of revellers getting together to put the world to rights. We are bringing in a Baby Grand Piano and aiming to attract a younger generation to chat over great cocktails, coffees, relaxed dining and enjoy the stylish ambience. 'We're proud to be part of such a great city, working with local tourism, businesses and the council to put the emphasis on superb hospitality and help promote Stirling for both local and Central Belt residents, as well as a UK and International visitor destination.'
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
World-renowned jazz artist to perform at 240-year-old Scottish hotel
Jazz star Dom Pipkin will launch Cronies Piano Lounge at Stirling's historic Golden Lion Hotel on July 9 A world-renowned jazz and blues pianist is set to bring his signature New Orleans sound to one of Scotland's most historic hotels next week. Dom Pipkin, hailed as 'one of the world's greatest exponents of New Orleans piano,' will perform at the Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling on Wednesday, July 9. The intimate gig will mark the launch of Cronies Piano Lounge, a new live music and cocktail space inside the centuries-old venue. The 66-bedroom Golden Lion has stood in the heart of Stirling for nearly 240 years and is famously linked to Rabbie Burns, who stayed there during a visit in 1787. According to legend, the poet was inspired by the dilapidated state of Stirling Castle to write his controversial 'Stirling Lines' and etched them into a pane of glass in his second-floor bedroom, only to later return and smash the window with the butt of his riding crop. Hotelier Gary Atinson said he was delighted to be welcoming Pipkin to such a storied venue. 'We're thrilled to have a true British jazz legend tinkling the ivories as we create Cronies Piano Lounge – a new home for superb music and classic cocktails,' he told Herald Scotland. 'My partner Ros and I have had the pleasure of seeing Dom perform initially in Ronnie Scotts in London, with Morcheeba in Cologne and, of course, in our Aberdeen hotel a few times. Once he dons that iconic hat and starts to play his unique mix of Big Easy sounds and songwriting with blues, it simply takes your breath away.' Pipkin's impressive career has seen him share stages with legends like Ray Davies and David Byrne, tour as a member of Morcheeba, and lead his own acclaimed band, The Ikos. He's a regular performer in New Orleans and is considered one of the UK's most respected interpreters of the city's musical traditions. Alongside his musical career, Pipkin has also made appearances on screen, including roles in Netflix's Black Doves and A Thousand Blows , the gritty historical drama from the creators of Peaky Blinders . His performance in Stirling won't be a one-off either. The hotel plans to build on the momentum by hosting regular lounge sessions, with top pianists lined up for Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons and nights, and relaxed Sunday jazz lunches. Pipkin himself is set to return for more performances later in the year. The Golden Lion stands on the site of The Gibb's Inn Tavern and Lodgings, rebuilt in the 1780s by Stirling businessman James Wingate and designed by the renowned Scottish architect Gideon Gray. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. It sits proudly on King Street, formerly known as Quality Street, renamed in 1820 to honour King George IV. Outside the hotel lies the historic 'New' Port Gate, a marker of Stirling's medieval past. It was here, legend says, that around the year 900 a wolf's growl alerted guards to a Danish Viking raid, helping to save the town. The wolf still features on Stirling's coat of arms as a symbol of its survival. Overlooking all of this stands the Golden Lion statue, a fixture of the cityscape for nearly two centuries. 'It has presided over many changes in our city, the ups and downs, the comings and goings,' the hotel says on its website. 'However, one thing remains constant: we continue to strive to provide a valuable service to visitors and travellers to and from Stirling alike.'
