# Fergus McCreadie

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**Fergus McCreadie** (born 12 July 1997) is a Scottish [jazz pianist](/source/Jazz_pianist) and composer. His style revolves around a fusion of contemporary jazz with [Scottish folk music](/source/Scottish_folk_music). He has released five albums to date as leader of a [piano trio](/source/Jazz_trio). His third album, *[Forest Floor](/source/Forest_Floor)*, was shortlisted for the 2022 [Mercury Prize](/source/Mercury_Prize), and won the [Scottish Album of the Year Award](/source/Scottish_Album_of_the_Year_Award) and the Scottish Jazz Award for Best Album. He has also released three EPs, including one which was part of [the soundtrack](/source/Highest_2_Lowest_(soundtrack)) for the 2025 film *[Highest 2 Lowest](/source/Highest_2_Lowest)*.

## Early life

Fergus McCreadie was born 12 July 1997[3] in [Jamestown, Easter Ross](/source/Jamestown,_Easter_Ross), Scotland,[4] and grew up in [Dollar, Clackmannanshire](/source/Dollar,_Clackmannanshire).[5] McCreadie's first experience playing music was on the [bagpipes](/source/Bagpipes), though he concedes he "was not good at that at all."[5] He saw a jazz piano performance around age 12, and said it "changed my life. It looked so fun, so free and so creative in the way that everyone interacted with each other."[5] McCreadie's parents paid [£](/source/Pound_sterling)20 for a broken-down piano; however, he mostly practiced with a [Yamaha](/source/Yamaha_Corporation) [electric piano](/source/Electric_piano) through headphones in his bedroom after noise complaints from a neighbor.[1]

McCreadie attended [Dollar Academy](/source/Dollar_Academy) as a teen,[6] then studied jazz at the [Royal Conservatoire of Scotland](/source/Royal_Conservatoire_of_Scotland) under [Tommy Smith](/source/Tommy_Smith_(saxophonist)), where he also played in Smith's Youth Jazz Orchestra.[1][7] At the conservatoire, he met bassist David Bowden and drummer Stephen Henderson, the other two players in McCreadie's trio.[1] He graduated from the conservatoire in 2018.[4]

## Career

On 6 November 2023, McCreadie announced a 5-track solo piano EP titled *Sketches*, which was released by [Edition Records](/source/Edition_Records) on 26 November.[8][9] The project was recorded on 21 August at Solas Sound in Glasgow, with Gus Stirrat as recording and mixing engineer.[9]

In January 2024, McCreadie announced his fourth album *Stream*, which was released on 3 May by Edition.[10][11] *Spectrum Culture'*s Konstantin N. Rega called the album "a forceful work of beauty, patience, stamina and creativity."[12] *Stream* was followed by an EP, *Stream (Revisited)*, released on Edition on 4 April 2025.[13]

On 24 June 2025, McCreadie announced his fifth album, *The Shieling*, set for release on 24 October by Edition.[14] The lead single, "Wayfinder", was released on 25 July.[15] The same year, McCreadie contributed multiple tracks to the soundtrack of the [Spike Lee](/source/Spike_Lee) film *[Highest 2 Lowest](/source/Highest_2_Lowest)*, which were released as part of the film's [official soundtrack album](/source/Highest_2_Lowest_(soundtrack)) and a separate EP of just McCreadie's contributions, both released by [A24 Music](/source/A24_Music).[16][17]

## Style and influences

McCreadie is known for combining contemporary jazz with [Scottish folk music](/source/Scottish_folk_music) inspired by his homeland's natural landscape.[18][19] McCreadie describes this genre crossover by saying "jazz is kind of a folk music in itself. It has a lot of the characteristics, and it's grown up in a lot of the same ways."[1] McCreadie says he is most inspired by American jazz pianist [Keith Jarrett](/source/Keith_Jarrett), and notes his music taste as also including [Glenn Gould](/source/Glenn_Gould), [Martha Argerich](/source/Martha_Argerich), [Oscar Peterson](/source/Oscar_Peterson), [McCoy Tyner](/source/McCoy_Tyner), [Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh](/source/Caoimh%C3%ADn_%C3%93_Raghallaigh), and [Mick O'Brien](/source/Mick_O'Brien_(musician)).[1]

In a concert review from 2024, *[The Skinny](/source/The_Skinny_(magazine))'*s Zoë White described McCreadie as sitting forward facing his audience and speaking candidly about his music in between songs.[20] White noted the "endearing contrast between his down-to-earth anecdotes about hill walks, mountain streams and Scottish weather, and the hypnotic beauty of the music itself."[20]

## Accolades

Awards and nominations received by Fergus McCreadie Year Award Work Status Ref. 2015 Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year Himself [21] 2016 Peter Whittingham Jazz Award [22] 2019 Scottish Album of the Year Award Turas [23] 2021 Cairn [24] 2022 Mercury Prize Forest Floor [25] Scottish Album of the Year Award [26] Scottish Jazz Award for Best Album [27] 2023 Scottish Jazz Award for Best Band Fergus McCreadie Trio [28][29]

McCreadie has also won the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year's under-17 category in 2013 and 2014, the Linda Trahan Memorial Prize [University of St Andrews](/source/University_of_St_Andrews), and the [Guy Barker Award](/source/Guy_Barker) at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.[22] McCreadie was selected for [BBC Radio 3's New Generation Artists](/source/BBC_Radio_3_New_Generation_Artists_scheme), becoming the first non-classical musician chosen for the recognition.[30]

## Personal life

As of 2022, McCreadie lived in [Glasgow](/source/Glasgow).[1]

## Discography

### Albums

- *Turas* (as Fergus McCreadie Trio, [self-release](/source/Self-release), 2018)[31]
- *Cairn* ([Edition](/source/Edition_Records), 2021)
- *[Forest Floor](/source/Forest_Floor)* (Edition, 2022)
- *Stream* (Edition, 2024)
- *The Shieling* (Edition, 2025)

### EPs

- *Sketches* (Edition, 2023)
- *Stream (Revisited)* (Edition, 2025)
- *[Highest 2 Lowest: Fergus McCreadie Trio EP](/source/Highest_2_Lowest:_Fergus_McCreadie_Trio_EP)* ([A24](/source/A24_Music), 2025)

### Singles

Fergus McCreadie singles[32] Year Name Album 2020 "Cairn" Cairn 2021 "An Old Friend" "Jig" "Cairn (Live)" "Jig (Live)" "An Old Friend (Live)" 2022 "Law Hill"[33] Forest Floor "Morning Moon" "The Unfurrowed Field" 2024 "Stony Gate" Stream "Snowcap"[34] 2025 "Wayfinder" The Shieling

## References

1. Morris, Hugh (26 July 2022). ["Fergus McCreadie Interview: "Jazz is kind of a folk music in itself""](https://www.jazzwise.com/features/article/fergus-mccreadie-interview-jazz-is-kind-of-a-folk-music-in-itself). *[Jazzwise](/source/Jazzwise)*. Retrieved 20 November 2022.

1. ["Graham Costello's Strata – *Second Lives*"](https://londonjazznews.com/2021/04/24/graham-costellos-strata-second-lives/). *London Jazz News*. April 24, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2022.

1. ["Fergus McCreadie"](https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/fergus-mccreadie). *[All About Jazz](/source/All_About_Jazz)*. Retrieved October 15, 2022.

1. ["Fergus McCreadie"](https://editionrecords.com/artists/fergus-mccreadie/). *[Edition Records](/source/Edition_Records)*. Retrieved May 4, 2024.

1. ["Fergus McCreadie: I'm not even dreaming about Mercury Prize win"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-62308762). *[BBC Online](/source/BBC_Online)*. 27 July 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

1. ["Dollar pupil is piano virtuoso"](https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/13533593.dollar-pupil-is-piano-virtuoso/). *[Alloa Advertiser](/source/Alloa_Advertiser)*. 16 January 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2024.

1. Adams, Rob (April 14, 2018). ["Young pianist's journey takes him to a four-night run"](https://jazzineurope.mfmmedia.nl/2018/04/young-pianists-journey-takes-him-to-a-four-night-run/). *Jazz in Europe*. Retrieved May 4, 2024.

1. Edition Records (6 November 2023). "Fergus McCreadie announces *Sketches*, the captivating 5-track digital solo piano EP that showcases Fergus McCreadie's authentic and raw solo piano artistry, drawing inspiration from Keith Jarrett and featuring "Glade" from *Forest Floor*, weaving a mesmerising tapestry of emotions. Released, digitally on 24th Nov.". Retrieved November 13, 2023.

1. ["*Sketches* | Fergus McCreadie"](https://fergusmccreadie.bandcamp.com/album/sketches). *[Bandcamp](/source/Bandcamp)*. Retrieved November 13, 2023.

1. Flynn, Mike (January 22, 2024). ["New albums from Potter/Mehldau/Patitucci/Blade, Mark Lockheart and more for Edition Records early 2024 releases"](https://www.jazzwise.com/news/article/new-albums-from-potter-mehldau-patitucci-blade-mark-lockheart-and-more-for-edition-records-early-2024-releases). *[Jazzwise](/source/Jazzwise)*. Retrieved January 24, 2024.

1. ["So excited to bring you the new album *Stream*, our fourth as a trio and the third for @editionrecords."](https://www.facebook.com/fergusmccreadiepianist/posts/pfbid02MhBhkMqJSL2L3BJ1uBnpPZNQseAKZxt4ZoC8f4zzSR3FB4JzTvuPZZvqfRe115d8l). *[Facebook](/source/Facebook)*. Retrieved January 24, 2024.

1. Rega, Konstantin N. (May 29, 2024). ["Fergus McCreadie: *Stream*"](https://spectrumculture.com/2024/05/29/fergus-mccreadie-stream-review/). *Spectrum Culture*. Retrieved January 7, 2024.

1. ["*Stream (Revisited)* | Fergus McCreadie"](https://fergusmccreadie.bandcamp.com/album/stream-revisited). *[Bandcamp](/source/Bandcamp)*. Retrieved April 23, 2025.

1. Scotney, Sebastian (24 June 2025). ["Band on the Wall Summer/Autumn Jazz + Fergus McCreadie interview"](https://ukjazznews.com/band-on-the-wall-summer-autumn-jazz-fergus-mccreadie-interview/). *UK Jazz News*. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

1. McCreadie, Fergus (July 25, 2025). ""Wayfinder" the new single is here!!". Retrieved July 25, 2025.

1. Strauss, Matthew (August 6, 2025). ["Spike Lee Details Soundtrack for New Movie *Highest 2 Lowest*"](https://pitchfork.com/news/spike-lee-details-soundtrack-for-new-movie-highest-2-lowest/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved August 15, 2025.

1. Grisales, Michelle (August 11, 2025). ["*Highest 2 Lowest* Soundtrack will Feature A$AP Rocky, Aiyana Lee, Howard Drossin and More"](https://music.mxdwn.com/2025/08/11/news/highest-2-lowest-soundtrack-will-feature-aap-rocky-aiyana-lee-howard-drossin-and-more/). *Mxdwn.com*. Retrieved August 15, 2025.

1. Spry, Graham (4 April 2022). ["Fergus McCreadie - *Forest Floor*"](https://londonjazznews.com/2022/04/04/fergus-mccreadie-forest-floor/). Retrieved 27 July 2022.

1. ["Fergus McCreadie: *Forest Floor*"](https://www.jazzwise.com/review/fergus-mccreadie-forest-floor). *[Jazzwise](/source/Jazzwise)*. Retrieved 27 July 2022.

1. White, Zoë (23 April 2024). ["Fergus McCreadie Trio @ The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, 19 Apr"](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/fergus-mccreadie-trio-the-queens-hall-edinburgh-19-apr). *[The Skinny](/source/The_Skinny_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 4, 2024.

1. Adams, Rob (25 June 2015). ["Glasgow Jazz Festival review: Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2015 at the Rio Club"](https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/13414360.glasgow-jazz-festival-review-young-scottish-jazz-musician-year-2015-rio-club/). *[The Herald (Glasgow)](/source/The_Herald_(Glasgow))*. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

1. Bruce, Keith (20 December 2016). ["Arts News: Join the Burdies; Peter Whittingham Jazz Award 2016; The Battlefield Band; The Ceilidh Place"](https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/14978461.arts-news-join-burdies-peter-whittingham-jazz-award-2016-battlefield-band-ceilidh-place/). *[The Herald (Glasgow)](/source/The_Herald_(Glasgow))*. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

1. Barrie, Douglas (15 August 2019). ["Shortlist for 2019 Scottish Album of the Year revealed"](https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/shortlist-for-2019-scottish-album-of-the-year-revealed-1410477). *[The Scotsman](/source/The_Scotsman)*. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

1. Brash, Tallah (16 September 2021). ["SAY Award 2021: The Longlist"](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/news/say-award-2021-longlist). *[The Skinny](/source/The_Skinny_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

1. Singh, Surej (26 July 2022). ["Mercury Prize 2022 shortlist revealed"](https://www.nme.com/news/music/mercury-prize-2022-shortlist-nominations-3277014). *[NME](/source/NME)*. Retrieved July 27, 2022.

1. Brash, Tallah (20 October 2022). ["Fergus McCreadie wins the SAY Award 2022"](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/news/latest-news/fergus-mccreadie-wins-the-say-award-2022). *[The Skinny](/source/The_Skinny_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

1. ["Winners at the 2022 Scottish Jazz Awards"](https://londonjazznews.com/2022/12/09/winners-at-the-2022-scottish-jazz-awards/). *London Jazz News*. 9 December 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

1. ["Nominees unveiled for 2023 Scottish Jazz Awards as public vote opens"](https://www.jazzwise.com/news/article/nominees-unveiled-for-2023-scottish-jazz-awards-as-public-vote-opens). *[Jazzwise](/source/Jazzwise)*. November 13, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.

1. Flynn, Mike (December 8, 2023). ["Winners of 2023 Scottish Jazz Awards announced at Glasgow ceremony"](https://www.jazzwise.com/news/article/winners-of-2023-scottish-jazz-awards-announced-at-glasgow-ceremony). *[Jazzwise](/source/Jazzwise)*. Retrieved March 25, 2024.

1. Didcock, Barry (1 October 2022). ["A Who's Who of Scotland's explosive new jazz talents"](https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/22912245.scotlands-explosive-new-jazz-talents/). *[The Herald (Glasgow)](/source/The_Herald_(Glasgow))*. Retrieved November 20, 2023.

1. Lea, Nick. ["Fergus McCreadie Trio - *Turas*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190225223859/https://www.jazzviews.net/fergus-mccreadie-trio---turas.html). *JazzViews*. Archived from [the original](https://www.jazzviews.net/fergus-mccreadie-trio---turas.html) on February 25, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

1. ["Fergus McCreadie - Discography"](https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Yb1aFMX9xNtjFVDSdt2ZL/discography/single). *[Spotify](/source/Spotify)*. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

1. Flynn, Mike (March 28, 2022). ["Video of the Day: pianist Fergus McCreadie shares "Law Hill" from new album *Forest Floor*"](https://www.jazzwise.com/news/article/video-of-the-day-pianist-fergus-mccreadie-shares-law-hill-from-new-album-forest-floor). *[Jazzwise](/source/Jazzwise)*. Retrieved November 2, 2022.

1. McCreadie, Fergus (March 15, 2024). "New single is out today!! "Snowcap" available wherever you like to stream music. I hope you enjoy 🏔". Retrieved March 17, 2024.

## External links

- [Fergus McCreadie](https://bandcamp.com/fergusmccreadie) on Bandcamp

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fergus McCreadie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fergus_McCreadie) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fergus_McCreadie?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.