{{Short description|Scottish bagpiper}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Norman MacLeod | image = | caption = | other_names = Piper Norman | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1953|6|27}} | birth_place = Glasgow, Scotland | citizenship = | occupation = {{flatlist| *Bagpiper * Petroleum engineer * songwriter * entrepreneur }} | years_active = | notable_works = | spouse = Josephine Oboh Macleod | awards = *Yessiey Awards *Colin Ross Trophy *Martin Lowe Trophy *Stewart Bell Trophy *Skeely Piper Trophy | website = | module = {{Infobox musical artist | origin = | embed = yes | instruments = {{flatlist| *Bagpipes }} | genre = {{flatlist| * Afrobeats * Afro-Celtic music * African traditional beats *Traditional Scottish *Irish folk music }} | label = }} }}
''' Norman Core Macleod''' also known as '''Norman Macleod''' (born 27 June 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a Scottish musician who plays the Bagpipes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Trailblazers and achievers who have shattered stereotypes and barriers|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/06/22/trailblazers-and-achievers-who-have-shattered-stereotypes-and-barriers/|access-date=2022-06-22 |newspaper=This Day|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Five world famous bagpipers from across the globes|url=https://dailytimesng.com/five-world-famous-bagpipers-from-across-the-globe/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-07-22 |newspaper=Daily Times|language=en-US}}</ref> He created Afro-Celtic music of the bagpipes and was the first foreigner to infuse African traditional beats into the distinctive bagpipe music in Nigeria.<ref name="Independent">{{Cite news |title=Bridging Cultures: The Afro-Celtic Music Emergence And Impact In Nigerian Music Industry|url=https://independent.ng/bridging-cultures-the-afro-celtic-music-emergence-and-impact-in-nigerian-music-industry/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-10-17 |newspaper=Independent|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Tribune Nigeria">{{Cite news |title=Norman c MacLeod a cross-cultural musician and oil and gas specialist|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/norman-c-macleod-a-cross-cultural-musician-and-oil-and-gas-specialist/|access-date=2019-04-14 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=The decline of bagpipe players a global concern|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/02/the-decline-of-bagpipe-players-a-global-concern/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2024-02-12 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Daily Nigeria">{{Cite news |title=A SALUTE TO THE GREAT LEGEND JOHN OBOH aka MIGHTY MOUSE|url=https://dailytimesng.com/a-salute-to-the-great-legend-john-oboh-aka-mighty-mouse/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2015-10-22 |newspaper=Daily Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
Norman MacLeod won the Martin Lowe Trophy twice for the most outstanding contribution to Lowland and Border piping,<ref name="bag">{{Cite web |title=Results from the LBPS annual competition|url=https://bagpipe.news/2023/03/27/results-from-the-lbps-annual-competition/|access-date=2023-03-27 |website=bagpipe.news|language=en-US}}</ref> the Stewart Bell Trophy,<ref name="Glasgow"/> and the Yessiey Awards as bagpiper of the year.<ref name="PM">{{Cite news |title=Piper Norman honored with Yessiey Awards|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2023/11/28/piper-norman-honoured-with-yessiey-awards/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-11-28 |newspaper=P.M. News|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Norman Macleod was born into a family of three children to the late Mr Norman and Mrs Allison MacLeod. He had his early schooling at Milngavie Primary School and Glasgow Academy in Glasgow, Scotland. Norman graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Science from University of Oxford, England, in 1975 and thereafter he earned his second degree, an MBA in Business Administration, from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland in 1987.<ref name="Pm Nigeria"/><ref name="Nation Nigeri">{{Cite news |title=Norman macleod wins stewart bell trophy the confined march competition at Glasgow highland club piping competition|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/norman-macleod-wins-stewart-bell-trophy-the-confined-march-competition-at-glasgow-highland-club-piping-competition/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2010-08-12 |newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Career== Norman Macleod began his career at Shell International in The Hague, Netherlands, as a graduate management trainee. He was subsequently appointed as the Operations Manager at Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO). In 1994, he played a vital role in the discovery and production of the Bonga Field, which has since become one of Nigeria’s key oil production assets.<ref name="Tribune Nigeria"/>
In the 1990s, He revolutionized traditional Nigerian music by masterfully blending classical Esan (Edo) and Yoruba rhythms with the distinctive sound of Scottish bagpipes. He became the first-ever European to use the bagpipes to play African music in Nigeria.<ref name="Pm Nigeria">{{Cite news |title=The scot who brought bagpipes to afrobeat norman macleods musical odyssey|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/08/12/the-scot-who-brought-bagpipes-to-afrobeat-norman-macleods-musical-odyssey/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2010-08-12 |newspaper=P.M. News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Pm"/>
thumb|Norman Macleod (Piper Norman) performing in Esan land, Edo State, Nigeria
In 1999, He Collaborated with John Oboh (Jahoha Studios) and Femi Lasode Recording Studios to produce the musical videos of Scottish Essence, African Mood & Step Up Tempo album with performances with Nike Art Centre cultural musicians & dancers.<ref name="Pm">{{Cite news |title=piper norman takes Nigerian music to new heights with historic collaboration|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/12/07/piper-norman-takes-nigerian-music-to-new-heights-with-historic-collaboration/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2015-10-22 |newspaper=P.M. News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Daily Nigeria"/>
In 2013, Macleod became the first European to receive an Edo State government certificate honouring his chieftain title as Odion Ukpe of Emu Kingdom, Esan land, Edo State, Nigeria. He also holds a chieftain title as the first Scottish to receive the Omoludun of Ikateland, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria.<ref name="PM"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=A Scottish music maestro honored in Nigeria the story of norman macleod aka piper norman|url=https://thesun.ng/a-scottish-music-maestro-honored-in-nigeria-the-story-of-norman-macleod-aka-piper-norman/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2015-10-22 |newspaper=The Sun|language=en-US}}</ref>
He pioneered the Afro-Celtic music of the bagpipes and performed with Femi Kuti at the New Afrika Shrine in 2014, honouring the memory of Fela Kuti.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pioneer of afro Celtic music and cultural collaborations|url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/norman-macleod-pioneer-of-afro-celtic-music-and-cultural-collaborations|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2015-03-23 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref>
thumb|Norman Macleod (Piper Norman) in Lagos
He became the pioneer in bringing bagpipes to the forefront of fashion in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite news |title=piper norman the great Scottish Nigerian bagpiper|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/piper-norman-the-great-scottish-nigerian-bagpiper/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2017-06-23 |newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US}}</ref> His rise to fame came through his involvement with folk bands, where he began to compose music inspired by his travels across Africa and Europe. His exposure to diverse musical traditions, particularly Breton music, Edo samba, and Yoruba drums, enriched his understanding of folklore and significantly influenced his songwriting.<ref name="Tribune Nigeria"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Piper Norman, Kostadin varimezov: Pioneers of the bagpipers in history|url=https://dailytimesng.com/piper-norman-kostadin-varimezov-pioneers-of-the-bagpipers-in-history/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2016-03-01 |newspaper=Daily Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Daily Nigeria"/>
His first CD album, “Scottish Essence, African Mood”, and the second musical CD production “, Step Up Tempo", were produced at John Oboh, aka Mighty Mouse, Jahoha Studios.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Piper Who Broke Cultural Boundaries: The Enduring Legacy of Norman MacLeod|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/08/23/the-piper-who-broke-cultural-boundaries-the-enduring-legacy-of-norman-macleod/|access-date=2021-08-23|newspaper=This Day|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Albums== Norman released several albums, including "Scottish Essence, African Mood" (1998), "Step Up Tempo" (1999), and "African Unity" (2005).<ref name="Daily Nigeria"/>
==Awards and recognition==
*Yessiey Award- Artist of the Year 2023 (bagpiper)
At the Lowland and Border Pipers' Society annual competition in 2023, Norman won the following with his Scottish smallpipes:
*Colin Ross Trophy, Open Solo Scottish Smallpipes Competition *Skeely Piper Trophy, Open Solo General Competition *Martin Lowe Trophy, for greatest contribution to Lowland and Border music on the day of competition
Highland Bagpipes: Trophy won 2024
*Stewart Bell Trophy, Confined March Competition.<ref name="PM"/><ref name="bag"/><ref name="Glasgow">{{Cite web |title=Glasgow highland club competition|url=https://glasgowhighlandclub.co.uk/piping/|access-date=2024-03-12 |website=glasgowhighlandclub.co.uk|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Nation Nigeri"/>
==Personal life== He is married to Josephine Oboh Macleod and has two children, Allison Macleod and Norman MacLeod Junior.<ref name="Independent"/>
==See also== List of bagpipers
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Macleod, Norman Core}} Category:Music of Scotland Category:1953 births Category:English heavy metal singers Category:English tin whistle players Category:Living people Category:Bagpipe players Category:Scottish bagpipe players