To Dundonians, he's the troubadour poet who has sculpted from the rhythms and accents of their city a songbook so comprehensive it should be required listening for anyone venturing over the Tay Bridge. To football fans he's the author of Hamish The Goalie, an ode in song to Hamish McAlpine, the legendary Dundee United stopper. And to connoisseurs of Scottish music he is one of the industry's best kept secrets.

Michael Marra was brought up in the Lochee district of Dundee. Although predominantly known as a songwriter, he has worked extensively in theatre, radio and television. To most he is a solo performer touring the length and breadth of Britain, performing in arts centres, theatres, folk clubs and village halls. He has opened for such diverse performers as Van Morrison, The Proclaimers, Louden Wainwright III, Barbara Dickson and Deacon Blue. In recent years he has performed both in Washington DC and Melbourne, Australia in the show 'In Flagrant Delicht' which was devised in collaboration with poet and playwright Liz Lochhead. In theatre Michael has written original music and worked both as an actor and musical director. His own operetta 'If The Moon Can Be Believed' was performed at Dundee Rep to sell out audiences. Most recently he collaborated with Graham McLaren of Theatre Babel on a new production of 'The Demon Barber' for Perth Theatre. Michael has also recently performed original songs with the Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish National Orchestra, Concerto Caledonia, Mr McFall's Chamber, and his own Quintet. Last year Michael was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Dundee University in recognition of his contribution to the cultural profile of his home town.