Over the next 18 days some 1,500 performers will be appearing at more than 300 events across Europe's premier winter music festival.

The basic aim, as ever, is to reflect and celebrate the influence of Celtic music on cultures around the world.
So beating a path to our wintry city (it is called suffering for their art) are artists from just about everywhere you've ever heard of.

Like Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, India, Africa, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Norway, Corsica, Serbia, Romania, Canada and the USA.

World music is strongly represented by Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara, The Legendary Gypsy Kings and Queens, Angelique Kidjo, Del Castillo - which performs its first ever gig in Europe under the Celtic Connections banner - and Salsa Celtica's 15th anniversary show with special guests of Buena Vista Social Club fame.

Living legends include The Chieftains with Ry Cooder, Bobby McFerrin, former 10,000 Maniacs singer Natalie Merchant, Horse, Buffy Sainte-Marie and New York's award-winning gospel, rhytm and blues, jazz and soul septet, Naturally 7.

Then there's the very welcome return of US-domiciled Linda Thompson, singer and sister of Glasgow actor Brian Pettifer, to host the 40th birthday party of America's premier independent record label.

This will be headlined by bluegrass act Blue Highway at the royal concert hall next Tuesday (7.30pm start) and showcase Rounder Records' artistes.

These include Louisiana-raised singer and accomplished songwriter Alecia Nugent, Toronto folk rocker Sarah Harmer (back in Scotland unveiling a new album) and country music veteran James Hand, who will be performing new songs from Shadow on the Ground.

A couple of Celtic Connections events will also pay tribute to homegrown icons, including Shawlands-born John Martyn who died a year ago, and England's Nick Drake who passed on aged just 26 in 1974.

Way to Blue, songs of Nick Drake, is next Wednesday evening at the royal concert hall with Drake's chosen bassist, Danny Thompson, anchoring the house band.

Guest singers including Vashti Bunyan, Green Gartside, Teddy Thompson (son of Linda and Richard), Robyn Hitchcock, Stuart Murdoch, Lisa Hannigan and Krystle Warren (from Kansas) will celebrate Drake's enduring legacy via interpretations of his timeless songs.

For full details of this year's Celtic Connections visit www.celticconnections.com.