By Adesope Kazeem
Renowned Scottish musician Norman Core Macleod, commonly referred to as Piper Norman, has received the esteemed Yessiey Artist of the Year 2023 Award. This accolade acknowledges his exceptional accomplishments as a bagpipe musician.
Formerly known as Yessiey magazine Awards have developed into an important initiative in a relatively short period, attempting to recognize excellence in diverse fields. Compiled by Yessiey magazine, the awards honour individuals who have attained excellence in areas such as writing, acting, humanitarianism, art, entrepreneurship, and journalism. The awards were born after a dinner in Lagos, where the guests discussed the necessity of rewarding outstanding achievements and agreed to organize an annual event for this cause.
Piper Norman was born on June 27, 1953, in Glasgow, Scotland. His musical journey commenced at an early age. He attained a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from Oxford University in England in 1975, followed by a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Edinburgh University in Scotland.
Piper Norman’s innovative contributions to music include the creation of Afro-Celtic music of the bagpipes in Nigeria, making him the first foreigner to incorporate traditional African rhythms into the unique sound of the bagpipe. In the 1990s, he significantly transformed traditional Nigerian music by skillfully merging classical Esan (Edo) and Yoruba rhythms with the distinctive timbre of Scottish bagpipes.
His extensive list of accolades features his distinction as the first European to be awarded an Edo State government certificate, conferring upon him the chieftain title of Odion Ukpe of Emu Kingdom in 2013. Furthermore, he holds the chieftain title of Omoludun of Ikateland, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria.
In 2023, Piper Norman achieved notable success at the annual competition organized by the Lowland and Border Pipers’ Society, securing several trophies, including the Colin Ross Trophy, the Skeely Piper Trophy, and the Martin Lowe Trophy.
The Yessiey Artist of the Year 2023 Award serves as a testament to Piper Norman’s unwavering commitment to his craft and his remarkable ability to bridge cultural divides through music. His continued efforts to inspire and entertain audiences globally underscore the invaluable contributions he has made to the realm of music.
