WORKSHOP 1

SONGWRITING WITH RICHARD TOWNEND
⏰ Saturday 25th April | 11:00am
📍 Upstairs in The Royal Hotel
⏱️ Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours
🆓 FREE

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“An opportunity to write a song as part of a group along with prolific songwriter Richard Townend”

Richard Townend has written over 300 songs and recorded more than 150 across his seventeen albums. With multiple British Blues Awards nominations for Original Song and Album, Richard brings decades of professional experience to this collaborative workshop.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced musician looking to develop your craft, this is a rare chance to learn from one of the UK’s most prolific blues songwriters.

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What to expect:

• Collaborative songwriting process

• Tips and techniques from a professional

• Hands-on creative experience

• Suitable for all levels

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ABOUT YOUR TUTOR: RICHARD TOWNEND

Richard Townend began his professional journey in music after graduating from Leeds College of Music in 1984, where he studied guitar and composition. At the time, Leeds was one of the few institutions in the UK offering a degree in Light Music—a genre that embraced jazz, pop, and contemporary performance. This unique training opened doors to a vibrant career, touring with some of Britain’s most beloved entertainers including Ronnie Corbett, Charlie Drake, Les Dennis, Dana, The Platters, and Tony Christie.

 

Richard has released seventeen albums (Jan 2011 – Nov 2025), 15 studio and 2 live, one recorded in Moscow—each a testament to his eclectic musical influences blending blues, jazz, country, and beyond. His work has earned critical acclaim and multiple nominations in the British Blues Awards for Original Song and Album (2012–2016, 2018), with several albums reaching No.1 in the Independent British Blues Chart.

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Often described as a prolific writer, he has recorded well over 150 songs and penned more than 300. His style draws favorable comparisons to JJ Cale, Chris Rea, and Dire Straits, yet remains distinctly his own.

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Richard’s Songwriting Workshop offers a rare opportunity to collaborate with one of the UK’s most experienced and successful blues songwriters, learning the craft from someone who has truly mastered it.

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WORKSHOP 2

BLUES GUITAR BASICS WITH COLIN BLACK
⏰ Saturday 25th April | 13:30 - 14:15
📍 Upstairs in The Royal Hotel
🆓 FREE

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“An opportunity for both beginners or if you’re wanting to get your blues basics honed, open for all ages.”

Perfect for guitarists just starting their blues journey or those wanting to solidify their foundational skills. Colin Black is an experienced guitar tutor who has been teaching and playing in bands around Aberdeen since the 90’s.

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Colin’s Qualifications:

• BA (Hons) in Performance Industries

• FLCM (Fellowship Diploma in Jazz Guitar)

• Visiting guitar tutor at University of Aberdeen since 2012

• Certificate in Jazz Improvisation from Berklee School of Music, USA

What to expect:

• Essential blues guitar techniques

• Foundational scales and progressions

• Practical playing tips

• Open to all ages and skill levels

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WORKSHOP 3

FROM BLUES TO JAZZ WITH COLIN BLACK
⏰ Saturday 25th April | 14:30 - 15:15
📍 Upstairs in The Royal Hotel
🆓 FREE

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“You’ve got the blues, and now you want to add a jazz flavour to your playing”

Take your blues playing to the next level by exploring the connections between blues and jazz. Colin will guide you through techniques to add sophistication and jazz elements to your blues vocabulary.

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What to expect:

• Jazz chord voicings for blues players

• Improvisation techniques

• Bridging blues and jazz styles

• Expanding your musical palette

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ABOUT YOUR TUTOR: COLIN BLACK

Colin is an experienced guitar tutor and musician who has been teaching and playing in bands in and around Aberdeen since the 90’s. Since 2012, he has been visiting guitar tutor at the University of Aberdeen, and taught for 7 years for the Aberdeen City Music Service.

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Playing Experience:
Colin’s wide-ranging band experiences have included Los Acousticos Bandidos, SUS4 Quartet, The Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra, The Struttin’ Futrets, AKA SKA, The Aristocats, The Stuntdogs, and various other music acts, as well as performing solo in numerous venues and restaurants. His recorded studio work can be heard on CDs by Mary May and Morag McCall, and he regularly performs in the band pit in local musical theatre productions.

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PRACTICAL INFO

Location: All workshops take place upstairs in The Royal Hotel

No booking required - Just turn up!

Bring: Your instrument (guitar for workshops 2 & 3), notebook, enthusiasm

Questions? Contact us at info@orkneyblues.co.uk