I am so glad that I was able to capture some of Fionna’s amazing stories before she sadly passed away in November 2022. I still can’t believe that she is no longer here, but I find great comfort in hearing her tell her stories in these recordings of our conversations that we captured in the summer of 2021. Fionna was the most extraordinary storyteller, whether through song or the spoken word. I never tire of listening to her reminisce.
I miss her terribly.
Scroll down to find photographs and links to some of Fionna’s music, and if you enjoy the podcast you are welcome to treat me to a coffee, many thanks.
You can listen to some of Fionna’s recordings here
Photographs from Fionna and Sophie’s personal collections.
Sophie and Fionna looking at Fionna’s photos and recording conversation for SINGER TO SINGER, Summer 2020
Fionna’s very first jazz gig in 1955 at the Cambuslang Institute with Lindsay MacDonald (vibes,) Iain Duncan (pno – Fionna’s brother,) Matt Bailey (bass,) Jimmy Gibson (dms)
Technical College, Glasgow 1958 with Fionna on vocals and Alec Dalgleish (tmpt) – (unsure of trombonists name)
Fionna with Ian Menzies and his Clydevalley Stompers
Blonde Fionna, 1962 at Brodick Town Hall, Arran with (left to right) Forrie Cairns (clnt,) Jimmy McGreggor (folk singer) and Frank Weston (promoter)
Fionna’s father entertaining the troops who were leaving for the Normandy Landings in 1944. He was a chief engineer on Britain’s first mine sweeper.
Rehearsing for a folk concert at St Andrews Halls, Glasgow in 1954. Moyna Flannigan and Reena Swanky (gtrs) from The Reevers and Fionna on ukulele.
The Steadfast Jazz Band in the Riverside Jazz Club, Clyde St, Glasgow 1956 after playing support to the Kid Ory Band at St Andrews Hall. Fionna, John Leck (bnjo,) Forrie Carins (clnt,) Andy Dairley (promoter,) Henry Red Allen (tmpt – Kid Ory,) Campbell Rangchan (tmpt,) Willie Cuthbertson (promoter) and Bobby Gardiner in front (promoter)
On The Discovery, Scott of the Antartic’s Ship in Dundee. A promotional gig in the 80s, Fionna with 2 models and 2 city dignitaries.
Thames Riverboat Shuffle in 1962 with The Forrie Cairns Allstars. Forrie Cairns (clnt,) Alec Dalgleish (tmpt,) John Cairns (pno,) Tucker Finlayson (bass,) Jake Murray (trbn) and Fionna on vocals
Fionna and Brian Kellock at the Cromarty Vocal Jazz Workshop, 2018
Sophie and Fionna at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival in 1992
Fionna with some of the students and tutors at The Pathhead Vocal Jazz Workshop
Students and tutors of the 1st ever Fionna Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshop
Fionna and her fellow tutors at the Cromarty Vocal Jazz Workshop – L to R Tom Lyne, Sophie, Brian Kellock, Fionna, Liane Carroll and Sara Colman
Fionna and Jay Clayton performing at the Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow
Fionna in L’Attache, Edinburgh
On stage at the Los Angeles Festival after Fionna had sung ‘Fine Brown Frame’ and the festival director came on to say that Nellie Lurcher, who had made the song famous, was in the audience – hence the shocked face!
