Artists from 2011
Brendan Nolan
"Nolan has used his broad knowledge of traditional Irish songs, as well as other kinds of music, to develop into a very fine songwriter whose work is steeped in the traditions that hes mastered."-- Mike Regenstreif, Sing Out! Magazine.
Brendan Nolan was born and reared just to the north of the city of Dublin. After starting out in the vibrant Dublin Ballad scene of the mid-seventies he moved to Canada in 1979. He headlined concerts at numerous acoustic venues across Canada and performed at several festivals that included the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival. He has been based in St. Pete Beach, Florida for nearly 15 years. Brendan has six solo albums to his credit.
"Brendan Nolan is an exceptional musician who provides musical entertainment of the highest calibre."
-- Garth Wilton, The Irish Times, Dublin, Ireland
"Nolan's poignant story-telling songs are expressed through traditional Celtic/Irish stylings, but Nolan can be considered a contemporary artist using old tools."
-- Anthony Starez, St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, Florida.
"The songs will touch all who have left their country to try and find a better life somewhere else."
-- Kelly Wilton, The Montreal Downtowner, Montreal, Canada.
| Concerts |
An Evening with Brendan Nolan Friday, September 30, 2011 at 8 PMBistro Knowlton, 267 ch. de Knowlton Knowlton (Lac-Brome), J0E 1V0 | |
| Videos Music |
http://brendannolan.com/mmedia.html |
CRAN
Unique in the Irish folk-music world, CRAN dazzles every audience with their highly-individualistic approach, a bewildering array of styles, and a far-reaching repertoire, building from each member’s well-established international reputation: Desi Wilkinson, a powerhouse with the Irish flute; Sean Corcoran, an internationally known premiere voice (as singer, researcher and teacher) in the Hiberno-English and Gaelic traditions; and Ronan Browne, the leading light among a young generation of uilleann pipers (and a master teacher in Europe and the USA). CRAN's concerts are an unmatched display of technical virtuosity combined with a full spectrum of old story-telling "long ballads" to lively comic songs of "pure divilment and rascality” rising from a core of native Irish material (as well Scots-Gaelic and the Bretons traditions): bubbling dance music or hauntingly slow airs on flute and pipes, vocals ranging from highly-ornamented sean-nós songs of Conamara to the rollicking port a'bhéil, or mouth music, of Donegal.| Concerts |
Magical Mythical IrelandSaturday, October 1, 2011 at 8 PM Massey-Vanier Auditorium, Cowansville | |
| Videos Music |
http://www.cranmusic.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do09ppEKYhw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRfqOOIWjDU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zww0sZ_9pHA&feature=related |
Desi Wilkinson
Desi is a virtuoso on the traditional Irish flute and a fine
singer as well. Originally from Belfast, he was inspired to get involved in
Irish music through Fermanagh fiddler, Tom Gunn, a close neighbor and friend.
Tom taught Desi his first tunes.
Desi’s first solo album received
rapturous reviews: "A dazzling display of virtuosity and quirky genius..."
(INDUBLIN).
Desi has worked and toured with the
best-known musicians and groups on the traditional Irish music scene including Dé
Dannan, Donal Lunney, Liam O'Flynn, Máirtín O'Connor, and Andy Irvine.
From 1992-1994 he lived in Britanny,
learning, playing and studying Breton music. Desi speaks French fluently. He is currently working at ICMUS (International Centre for Music Studies) at Newcastle University.
| Concerts |
An Intimate Evening with Desi Wilkinson
October 4, 2011 at 7:30 PM at CIDI - Radio Village Hall, in Knowlton (Lac Brome) | |
| Videos Music |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxQ6wTLZT1E An Interview with Desi Wilkinson http://www.martindoyleflutes.com/music.html#desiwilkinson |
Mike Burns
– conteur/storyteller
Mike Burns is a rare presence in an age of fleeting sound
bites, short attention spans, and mass media: a true keeper of the oral
traditions. His hundreds of stories are based on the tales and legends of his
native Ireland, handed down by his father and grandmother. His public debut, at
a family gathering at the age of nine where he spun a funny tale with a macabre
twist, started him down a path from which there was no turning back. For over
40 years now he’s been telling and retelling the ancient traditions of his
homeland, weaving an ongoing and genuine saga full of mystery, intrigue,
humour, and surprise from a pure fount of tales that intersect and connect in
ways that enthrall audiences of all ages. Fluent in Gaelic, English and French,
Mike is a favourite at storytelling festivals across Canada and Europe. In 2003
he published a book with audio accompaniment in French, Raconte-moi que tu as
vu l’Irlande (“Tell Me You’ve Seen Ireland”), published by Éditions Planète
rebelle, that represents only a tiny part of his vast repertoire.
| Concerts |
Magical Mythical Ireland
October 1, 2011 at 8 PM at the Massey-Vanier Auditorium, Cowansville | |
| Videos Music |
Écosse/Scotland
The Tannahill Weavers
The Tannahill Weavers are “top shelf” among Scotland's
traditional bands. They have been trailblazers for Scottish music, with tight
harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements, winning over fans from beyond
the folk and Celtic music scenes.
| Concerts |
The Tannahill Weavers In ConcertFriday, October 7, The Piggery, Sainte-Catherine de Hatley at 8 pm The Tannahill Weavers In Concert Saturday, October 8, Chapelle d’été St-Édouard, Lac-Brome at 8 pm
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| Videos Music |
http://www.tannahillweavers.com/pressquotes.htm
http://soundcloud.com/compass-records/sets/tannahill-weavers-live-in/s-iBS7s |
Cathy-Ann MacPhee
| Concerts |
Songs of the GaelWednesday, October 5, Théâtre Lac-Brome, Lac-Brome at 7:30 PM
| |
| Videos Music |
http://youtu.be/TgFyXtOaUkA http://youtu.be/BZWgJpsVYEU http://www.musicscotland.com/cd/mp3-Catherine-Ann-Macphee-Suil-Air-Ais-Looking-Back-Cd.html |
Pays de Galles/Wales:
Fernhill
Central to their sound is the voice of Julie Murphy, described by Time Out as “a must hear, must see singer”. Her fans include music legends Robert Plant and Danny Thompson, both of whom have recorded with her.
In Fernhill Julie is surrounded by wonderful musicians: Ceri Rhys Matthews, whose percussive and open guitar playing underpins the music, is also a fine piper and flute player, and a key figure in the renaissance of Welsh traditional music; Tomos Williams, a talented trumpet player whose subtle and inventive improvisations push Fernhill’s sound to extraordinary levels, is active in both the folk and jazz scenes in Wales; Christine Cooper is an exciting young folk fiddler from Tenby whose fresh and soulful playing contributes a vital energy to the group.
| Concerts |
Fernhill in Concert Saturday, October 8, 8 PM at The Piggery, Sainte-Catherine de Hatley
Fernhill in Concert Sunday, October 9, 8 PM at the Théatre Lac-Brome, Knowlton (Lac-Brome)
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| Videos Music |
http://fernhill.bandcamp.com/album/canu-rhydd http://www.youtube.com/artist?a=GxdCwVVULXfmRpBsiCP_p5CS24fLfCN-&feature=artist |
Bretagne/Brittany:
Jean Michel Veillon
The King of Breton Flute Players
Jean-Michel Veillon was a child prodigy on the bombarde, that piercing woodwind characteristic of Breton music. At age 18 he found a half-broken French flute that he “restored” and, exercising great discipline, taught himself to play, first Irish tunes, later Breton music, which formed his roots. Desi Wilkinson and Paddy O'Neill taught him more tunes and, within two years, he founded the Breton-Irish Band. Through his exemplary work with groups like Galorn, Kornog, Barzaz, Den, and Pennou Skoulm, Veillon pioneered the use of the wooden flute in Breton music. While primarily a flautist on Breton, Irish, and Scottish tunes, Jean-Michel will include music in his performances from the Balkans (from his days with Kornog) or from American Indian traditions.His highly regarded first solo album, "E Koad Nizan" is the first record dedicated to Breton music on transverse wooden flute. Jean-Michel now plays in duet with the guitarist Yvon Riou. They recorded an album in 1995 entitled "Pont Gwenn ha Pont Stang." and a live album, Beo!, recorded in 2000.
| Concerts |
Songs and Music of Brittany Friday, October 7, Église Unie de Knowlton / Knowlton United Church, Lac-Brome at 8 pm
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| Videos Music |
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BHDIZ9Kg2c www.youtube.com/watch?v=a75ghK6mZSU An Interview with Jean-Michel Veillon |
Ifig and Nanda Le Troadec
Ifig and Nanda Troadec, a couple on stage and in life, sing kan ha diskan (a capella call and response) in a repertoire of songs from Brittany to Cornwall: gavotte, plin, fisel, kost-ar-c'hoad, pach pi, polka, Scottish, podoù fer...The Troadecs are well known to lovers of get-togethers and festoù-noz of Trégor and Brittany. They enliven audiences with their rhythmic chants whether performing as a couple or joining with many other friends such as: Marcel Guilloux, Olivan Le Cam, Marthe Vassallo, Yann-Fañch Kemener, and Jean-Yves Le Roux.
Ifig is also known to have long collected songs in the Trégor tradition: love songs, "sonioù" satires, gwerzioù, ballads, and old laments. His work started in the late 1970s culminating in 2005 with the publication of a book entitled "Travel Reports" involving the harvest.
Stéphane Morvan
(Flûte traversière en bois/Bombarde) Born into a musical family, he made his debut with his brother as a bombard player. He quickly developed a passion for wooden flute and perfected his technique with input from many local musicians. He has built upon this experience through his play with other groups such as Daouarn, BF15, Froggy Stew, Shafali, Paddy Whack, Flute 4 (Jean-Michel Veillon, Jean-Luc Thomas, Jean-Mathias Petri), Tintal, Duo-Morvan Perroche, and Ceol Street.He has worked with the renowned bombard players Andrew Thomas and Youenn Le Bihan and is the source of an innovative trio called Japhtal combining subtle Indian rhythms and Breton music.
Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews
Dwayne has been performing since the age of four, and made his professional fiddling debut as a 12-year-old guest soloist with The Cape Breton Fiddlers Association at the Rebecca Cohn in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.Within two years he was performing with a 12-member musical group of other youngsters, "The New Generation." that focused on Celtic music; the group included well-known players such as Natalie MacMaster and Lucy MacNeil of the Barra MacNeil's.
Dwayne Cote is deemed to be one of the most unique violinists and fiddlers in Atlantic Canada. He uses a distinct classical tone that he has developed through professional exposure and his own initiative through self-education. In short, his musical tones are inimitable and seldom forgotten.
He is described by John Allan Cameron as “the best kept secret in Celtic Music.” But the secret is evolving and satisfying more and more audiences, leaving them both energized and in awe of his talent. Dwayne plays everything from the traditional Irish jigs to the finest classical compositions for audiences both locally and abroad.
Steven Peterson of the Halifax Chronicle Herald in reviewing Dwayne's performance with the Symphony Nova Scotia, described his tone as "unusually sweet and singing…his use of upper position, vibrato, expressive slides, double stops and octave voicing go far beyond traditional fiddle playing styles." Most of all, Dwayne warms the heart of listeners with his gentle heartedness which speaks to you through his violin.
| Concerts |
Cape Breton Ceilidh
Sunday, October 2, 8 pm at the Théâtre des Tournesols, Cowansville | |
| Videos Music |
Richard Wood
For more than two decades, Richard Wood has impressed audiences all across Canada, as well as in the US, Europe, and Japan. Highlights include TV guest appearances with Shania Twain on “David Letterman” and “Good Morning America”; Carnegie Hall with Irish legends, The Chieftains; a featured performer on CBC’s Canada Day on Parliament Hill; “Rita MacNeil and Friends”; and with Jean Butler of Riverdance on “Celtic Electric”. Richard has played for Canada’s Prime Minister and Governor General, the Queen of England (in Toronto), and for the Emperor of Japan in Tokyo. Richard is also proud to have entertained Canada’s armed forces in Bosnia and in Afghanistan.He has five previous CD recordings and has won three Canadian East Coast Music Awards. MacLean’s Magazine named him one of the Top 100 Canadians to watch in the 21st Century.
With a new CD, rejuvenated energy and enthusiasm, Richard Wood, Prince Edward Island fiddler, artist, composer and entertainer has taken on the world once again. Richard has come full circle, not just in his musical career, but from the sheltered innocence as a child prodigy to learning life’s lessons the hard way.
Todd MacLean, Charlottetown Guardian
"Picture it: A graceful tune to start off a set, with beautiful zippering lines, played while caressing the fiddle to his ear, eyes closed, off in a serene realm in a dance with time, as he lures us there with him. Then a cutting strathspey to kick it into a higher gear as he whoops out loud and smiles at the crowd…which brings about numerous fits of spontaneous applause from the crowd…. Wood simply dropped every single jaw in the house…he is better than ever."Shetland Times
"The best or more precisely, the most entertaining fiddler I have ever
seen."
The Scotsman
"Prince Edward Island's Bow shredding Fiddling Sensation."Toplas
"See him if you can."
Aberdeen Evening Express
"This stepdancing fiddler from Prince Edward Island exudes the qualities
which will take him all the way to the top."
The Toronto Star
"Celtic Prince Conquers U.S.—Country superstar Shania Twain elevates
Richard Wood to the summit of U.S. network TV on the David Letterman Show and
Good Morning America."
blkvelvetband YouTube comment
Jaysus!!.....get a bucket of
water!...the mans on fire!....fine fiddling
| Concerts |
PEI Fiddling Sensation Richard Wood
Thursday, October 6, Maison de la Culture, Waterloo at 7:30 PM | |
| Videos Music |
http://youtu.be/vES7QjOF8ms http://youtu.be/l02MwpUENEo http://youtu.be/O-_bJFzX-K4 |
Dave Gossage and The Celtic Mindwarp
Dave Gossage, well known Montreal musician and former member
of the critically acclaimed Celtic band “OREALIS”, has a new band. The group
includes some of Montreal’s finest Celtic musicians. Of course there’s Dave, a
multi-instrumentalist beyond compare, playing flutes, whistles and guitar. Dave
is joined by his two brothers: jazz drummer Thom Gossage, who has played with
everyone from Dave Binney (N.Y.C) to Remi Bolduc and the MacGarrigle Sisters,
and bassist Bill Gossage (Susi Arioli, Connie Kaldor). Rounding out the group
is the incredible fiddler Jonathan Moorman (John McDermott, The Mahones) and
singer guitarist Michael Ayles, who has played with some of Quebec’s finest
traditional bands such as Genticorum and his own Le Part du Quêteux.
Considered one
of Montreal’s best flute players Dave’s list of sessions is impressive, ranging
from The Shalabi Effect, Michel Rivard, Natalie Simard, Kevin Parent, Paul
Piche, Go Van Gogh to Cirque du Soleil, Brendan Nolan, Liquid, and many
National Film Board and Canadian Broadcasting Company film, radio and T.V.
studio sessions and live concert recordings. He has worked extensively as an
arranger at the National Film Board; his most recent arrangements for the
animated short When the Day Breaks won a Gemini, the jury prize at the
Cannes Film Festival, and were nominated for an Oscar. His flute can also be heard
on the Gemini-winning Fast Runner soundtrack.In Celtic music, along with world-renowned fiddler Johnny Cunningham, he produced the Juno nominated “Night Visions” album by Orealis. Without a doubt David has made his mark as a Celtic and jazz flute player. His virtuosity continues to marvel crowds on the festival circuit both in Europe and North America, as well as in the pubs and jazz clubs of Montreal.
| Concerts |
Monday, October 3 at 7:30 PM Auberge Lakeview Inn, Lac-Brome (Knowlton) | |
| Videos Music |
Paul Marchand
Having played alongside exceptional
singers and instrumentalists, Paul found himself quite naturally in the midst
of the fertile musical tradition in Québec. Gifted with a finely-honed sense of
rhythm and a clear, strong voice, he has collaborated with many traditional
musicians from Québec and France. A two-year stay in Brittany gave him the
chance to make contact with a musical culture not so far removed from his own
in Québec.
| Concerts |
Celtic Music O’Québec Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 3 PM Théâtre de la Marjolaine (Piano rouge), Eastman | |
| Videos Music | http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lauriehart4 (samples from Duo Hart Marchand CD) |
Stéphanie Gagnon
| Concerts |
Celtic Music O’Québec Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 3 PM Théâtre de la Marjolaine (Piano rouge), Eastman | |
| Videos Music |
Martin Racine
Self-taught, Martin became interested in the traditional and Irish music of Quebec from 70 years ago, a period of neo-folklore. Armed with his violin and a taste for the traditions, from 1980-1997 he played with the group La Bottine Souriante (The Smiling Boot), known for its “pedal to the metal” performances. La Bottine gave Martin room to go full throttle with his own musical ideas and to swing!Both here in Canada and abroad, Martin freely shares his perfect expression of the joys in Celtic music. At heart, he is simply a happy fiddler, determined to share with us all his love of music.
| Concerts |
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 3 PM Théâtre de la Marjolaine (Piano rouge), Eastman | |
| Videos Music |
Stéphane Landry
One of the most gifted accordionists in Québec, Stéphane
Landry was introduced to the accordion at age ten. As soon as his talent became
apparent, his parents entrusted him to Gérard Lajoie, a dominant figure in
traditional circles in the 1950s.
This exceptional musician exhibits remarkable technique and a dynamic style.
| Concerts |
Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 8 PM Maison de la Culture, Waterloo | |
| Videos Music |
Jean-François Berthiaume
Jean-François Berthiaume has set feet tapping and swinging from his
native Québec to Japan, from Italy to Cuba. A true dance fanatic, he
specializes in traditional Quebecois dance but has studied a broad range of
styles including Irish, Hungarian, Slovakian, Polish, Bulgarian, Israeli and
Russian folk dance, as well as other styles of French-Canadian origin
(Outaouais, Acadian).
Jean-François' Quebecois training includes stints with well-known dancers and callers Pierre Chartrand, Alain Gilbert, Normand Legeault, and Mario Boucher. He can call in both French and English. Jean-Francois has performed with and choreographed for numerous folk dance troupes including Les Pieds Légers (with whom he performed for twelve years), Manigance, and La Grande Chaine. He calls regularly at Les Veillées du Plateau and teaches at L'École des Arts de la Veillée in Montreal.
Several pilgrimages to Ireland inspired him to develop an approach where his feet become percussion instruments and dance calling emerges as a form of song, techniques that he continues to perfect with his own group, Reveillons.
He performs regularly with Entourloupe and has performed with and choreographed numerous folk dance troupes across Canada. His specialty: transforming non-dancers into dance fanatics.
| Concerts |
Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 8 PM Maison de la Culture, Waterloo | |
| Videos Music | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQjD-SVlSUw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuBgW_39Q_E |
Crowfoot
Crowfoot weaves musical influences from England, Ireland, Quebec, and
the Appalachian Mountains into a captivating fusion that delights dancers and
listeners alike. Into this meeting ground of traditions, they incorporate their
own distinctive original compositions and songs.
Crowfoot originated in 2003, after a fortuitous meeting at a festival in Boston. They soon became a touring band, playing throughout the US, Canada, and the UK. They have gained a reputation both on the concert stage and on the contradance circuit for their trance-like grooves, subtle interplay, and unstoppable energy.
On the concert stage, rich vocal harmonies, haunting songs, and finely crafted instrumental arrangements compliment their infectious dance energy. Their diversity of instrumentation allows for a wide sound palette, and audience members are consistently won over by the depth and variety of Crowfoot’s musical expressions.“Crowfoot blends three major roots systems of traditional music, and the result is electrifying......if this trio is playing a dance or a festival anywhere near you, be there!”
-Sing Out! Magazine
| Concerts |
Crowfoot in Concert
Sunday, October 9, Église Unie Emmanuel/Emmanuel United Church, Cowansville at 3 pm | |
| Videos Music | http://www.crowfootmusic.com/ http://www.myspace.com/crowfootmusic |
Sarah Burnell
Sarah has studied Celtic fiddle and classical violin since the age of four. Since the release of her début album, Sarahn'dipity, Ottawa-born Celtic fiddler and singer Sarah Burnell has been mesmerizing audiences across Canada and the UK. Possessed of a talent noted for both its youthful exuberance and finely-wrought finesse, Sarah has certainly been making waves in the Canadian folk music scene! In 2006, Sarah was recognized by the Canadian Folk Music Association with the Canadian Folk Music Award for Young Performer of the Year. She currently lives in Montreal, where she pursues her "second life" as a student of Music Education at McGill University
| Concerts |
Sarah BurnellSaturday, October 8, 8 PM at The Piggery, Sainte-Catherine de Hatley
Sarah Burnell Sunday, October 9, 8 PM at the Théatre Lac-Brome, Knowlton (Lac-Brome)
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Isabeau Corriveau
Isabeau began her musical training at a very young age. A highly polished and accomplished harpist, she has distinguished herself by taking numerous first prizes at various provincial and national competitions. She had the opportunity to take part in the “Joie de chanter” Festival in Martinique. She traveled to Holland to perform under the auspices of the Jeunesses musicales du Canada. Recently, she played at the “Festival of Harps” and at the opening of Cirque du Soleil's Kooza show, in California. Isabeau has been guest soloist at a series of concerts with the McGill Chamber Orchestra, performing at the National Arts Center in Ottawa and at Place des Arts. A sensitive and talented musician, Isabeau’s popular music collaborations have also received acclaim. She can be heard on the soundtrack of the film “Du Big Bang au Vivant” by Hubert Reeves, music by Christian Thomas, and on Steeve Diamond's new album. Lately, she has also been developing her taste for composing. Many of her compositions can be heard on her latest recording "Pour Mieux Rêver".
| Concerts |
Isabeau Corriveau Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 8 PM Massey-Vanier Auditorium, Cowansville | |
| Videos Music | http://isabeauetmelisande.com/news/?page_id=86 |
Sandy and Mary Jessie MacIntyre
One of today's most prominent players and teachers of Cape Breton fiddling, Sandy MacIntyre has also composed well over a hundred tunes, many of which have become classics of the Cape Breton style. Mary Jessie, his sister, sings and plays the piano. Her exceptional ability and versatility leave her much in demand as an accompanist in many styles of music.
| Concerts |
Sandy and Mary Jessie MacIntyre
Sunday, October 2, 8 pm at the Théâtre des Tournesols, Cowansville | |
| Videos Music |
Solstice
Solstice - Canada's premier Celtic/folk band, comprised of three of the finest musicians on Montreal's explosive scene. Patrick Lesyk, singer and guitarist, Jonathan Moorman, fiddler, bodhran player and background vocalist, and Dave Gossage on flutes, whistles, harmonica and electric guitar are the orchestrators of Solstice's powerful and exhilarating sound.
| Concerts |
SolsticeFriday, October 7, The Piggery, Sainte-Catherine de Hatley at 8 pm Solstice Saturday, October 8, Chapelle d’été St-Édouard, Lac-Brome at 8 pm
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| Videos Music |
Soul Wood
Soul Wood is an acoustic musical journey of mainly traditional Celtic repertoire played with heed to melody and groove with the main objective of creating an enjoyable experience for all. Alex Kehler, a McGill music graduate in baroque violin, has devoted more than a decade to Celtic fiddle styles as well as other world music. His musical projects include Skye Consort, La Nef, Jeunes Musiciens du Monde among others and he has recorded over 20 CDs in his career. William leMaistre was involved with music at an early age, growing up in a house where there was no shortage of instruments nor musicians. After studying jazz in college, he made his way back to traditional music exploring mainly Québécois and Celtic repertoire. He plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 5-string banjo and the Irish flute.
| Concerts |
Soul Wood
Thursday, October 6, Maison de la Culture, Waterloo at 7:30 pm | |
| Videos Music |