Celtic Connections gets into full swing tonight, with some outstanding performances lined up, including acclaimed Irish singer Frances Black.

Black hails from an illustrious Irish musical clan whose name stands tall in the country's contemporary folk scene.

Her career began in 1986, when she started singing with her sister Mary and three brothers Shay, Michael and Martin as The Black Family.

She then flew the nest to join Arcady, whose ranks included Sharon Shannon and former De Dannan member Johnny McDonagh.

In 1992 Frances's startling voice was brought to the fore in her songwriting collaborations with Keiran Goss, and also in the early 90s when, as one of the leading lights of the phenomenal Irish compilation album A Woman's Heart, she appeared both on record and on the associated tour.

A familiar face to audiences across the globe, thanks to her passion for playing live, Frances's solo career has gone from strength to strength since the release of her debut album Talk To Me in 1994, which topped the charts and set the tone for a string of successful record releases.

The Black Family released a new album last year, Our Time Together, and her last solo album, How High The Moon, was released in 2003.

And Frances has maintained a busy touring schedule, which brings her to the Royal Concert Hall Strathclyde Suite tonight.