Combining their love for traditional and folk music as well as original songs and tunes the Paul McKenna Band have been playing to audiences throughout the UK since 2006. With a contemporary approach to songs, although not straying too far from their roots, their arrangements are both fresh and innovative. Their exciting sound is created through outstanding vocals, driving guitar and bouzouki, intense fiddle playing, a warm pairing of flute and whistles and dynamic bodhrán and percussion. The Paul McKenna Band is: Paul McKenna (vocals, guitar), David McNee (bouzouki), Ruairidh MacMillan (fiddle), Sean Gray (flute, whistle), and Ewan Baird (bodhran, percussion).
“A band with the potential to dominate the Scottish/Irish traditional scene for the next twenty years and be spoken about in the same breath as Boys Of The Lough.” Fatea Magazine
RUNA burst onto the music scene during the summer of 2008 and has been taking audiences by storm ever since. Drawing on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members, RUNA brings a contemporary and refreshing experience to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material.Through their repertoire of both highly energetic and graceful, acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Canada, and the United States, this vocal and instrumental ensemble gives its arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound.RUNA consists of vocalist, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist Fionán de Barra, and Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion.“Stretched on Your Grave” (2011) is their latest acclaimed release.
When you hear Comas you'll know that their choice of name was no mere coincidence. (Translating from Irish/ Gaelic as POWER) And power is exactly what this band is about. Depicting their own driving power coupled with a fine sensitivity for the inner strands of magic that is inherent in Irish music. Comas are a band firmly rooted in Irish music, but with enough space to allow in original compositions.Open to new influences, but with a respectful eye on the past is what brings Comas to the fore-front of what traditional music is about today.
We are proud to host the Galaxie Rising Stars Program at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival. A showcase featuring 5 Canadian acts from 4 provinces will be held on the Saturday afternoon of the Festival, to be judged by a panel of experts in the field. This year's Showcase participants are:
HAWP
Pierre Schryer
Colette Cheverie
Vertige
Cassie & Maggie MacDonald
Galaxie, Your Musical Universe, is proudly committed to supporting emerging Canadian musical talent through its Galaxie Rising Stars Program. The objective of this program is to help provide opportunities for up-and-coming musicians in all musical genres by providing showcase opportunities, monetary awards and potential airplay on the Galaxie channels. As a proud sponsor of the Celtic Roots Festival, Galaxie will be offering a $3,000 award to a jury-selected winner as well as the chance to be aired on Galaxie’s nationwide network. Since its inception in 2000, over 800 artists have directly benefitted from the Galaxie Rising Stars Program.
Navan are friends who have come together to share their love of Celtic music. They sing in the languages of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man. Navan delicately balances the inheritance of tradition with contemporary influences, singing solo, in unison in traditional rhythm, or adding harmonies in the tradition of our own time. Celtic songs have proven to have great vitality and so the same songs have been sung for hundreds if not thousands of years. This naturally results in variation of the tune, and words, from age to age and place to place. Navan’s shows are in keeping with their desire to share this music with the audience and not simply “perform" it, for traditional music, unlike many other genres, belongs to all. Navan is Amy Curl, Paul Gorman, Sheila Shigley, and Elizabeth Simcock.
From North Connemara, Liz and Yvonne Kane, known as The Kane Sisters are much respected musicians and educators. Born in Letterfrack, they were educated in Kylemore Abbey School. They were taught music by their Grandfather, local fiddle player, Jimmy Mullen and Mary Finn, a Co.Sligo musician and teacher.
Edel Fox is a concertina player from Miltown Malbay Co. Clare. She began playing at the age of 7 and was fortunate to be brought up in an area and environment where traditional music was in abundance. Edel learnt much of her music from concertina players Noel Hill, Dymphna O’Sullivan, Tim Collins and Tony O’Connell as well as local musicians such as Pete Haugh, Michael Mahoney and Peadar Crotty.
Dáithí Sproule of Derry, whose first group was the legendary Skara Brae, has lived for many years in Minnesota. He is one of Irish music's most respected guitar accompanists, and one of the first guitarists to develop DADGAD tuning for Irish music. He is also a fine singer in English and Irish.
A stunning synthesis of virtuosity and energy, The Outside Track's marriage of Canadian, Scottish and Irish music and song has been rapturously received around the world. Hailing from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton and Vancouver, its five members are united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to creating new music on its foundation. Using fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar, flute, step-dance and vocals these five virtuosos blend boundless energy with unmistakable joie de vivre.Each player within The Outside Track is a master of their chosen instrument with the band stacking up an impressive amount of international awards. This amount of talent alone would be enough to recommend the band but in this case the end result is so much greater than the sum of the parts. The line up comprises Norah Rendell, Mairi Rankin, Ailie Robertson, Fiona Black,and Cillian O'Dalaigh.
Caladh is an old Irish word meaning "Harbour" or "Shelter place". Caladh Nua means a "New Harbour" or "New Shelter place". Caladh Nua could also refer to a new comfortable place where music and song sets a warm lovely atmosphere. With all this in mind, this is "Caladh Nua", the traditional Irish band. This very unique band was founded in early 2009. Like many of the great Irish traditional bands Caladh Nua simply formed as a result of some great musicians crossing paths, realising a special connection and then wanting to share it with the world audience. The ensemble comprises of five extremely talented musicians from three beautiful regions in Ireland, counties Carlow, Waterford and Kilkenny. The tasteful musical arrangements of Caladh Nua include traditional Irish dance music, traditional songs alongside some more recently composed pieces. Caladh Nua has a perfect balance between innovation and preservation of Irelands wonderful music and song tradition, the band's special repertoire and energy is guaranteed to capture an audience of any generation.
Kim Robertson is a renowned performer and instructor who has stretched the boundaries of the harp for a new generation of performers and audiences. As a pioneer in the American folk harp movement, she combines an improvisational spirit with a passionate sense of tradition, bringing a contemporary touch to a centuries-old instrument.
Kieran Goss was born and raised in County Down, Northern Ireland. He was just nine years old when he got his first guitar. Growing up in a big family with diverse musical tastes meant that early on he was hearing the music of Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra and The Rolling Stones. These varied influences fermented into the brew that gives Kieran his own unique sound.
There's an old saying that goes something like, “ Go out and make your mark in the world exploring the new ways but don't turn your back on your roots”. The members of Vishten have been doing just that for the past seven years, touring their brand of new-traditional Acadian music in over 1000 performances rendered in 8 different countries. Made up of third generation Acadians living separate but Parallel musical experiences, twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc from Prince Edward Island, Canada have teamed up with Pascal Miousse from the nearby Magdelen Islands to create a sound that incorporates elements of the new ways while retaining and staying true to the essential Acadian spirit of their roots. The sound is essentially Celtic but with a difference. The songs are French, sung by each band member, alone or in harmony. The foot percussion drives the rhythm in a fiddle tune at times yet refrains itself in the gentler musical moments. The band members are accomplished multi-instrumentalists and step-dancers incorporating the fiddle, guitar, accordion, penny-whistle, banjo, mandolin, piano, jaw-harp and bodhran into each performance. They are surely making their mark in the world today as their musical maturity comes through to captivate audiences wherever they play.
Canadian Shane Cook "rates at the top of the short list of the finest fiddlers in the world today," says the Canadian Fiddlers' Hall of Fame. Shane has distinguished himself as a master of the Canadian old-time fiddle tradition and excels at an array of fiddle styles ranging from Irish and Scottish to French-Canadian, Texan, and Bluegrass. In fact, after a concert at The Opera House the Boston Herald proclaimed “...Shane Cook’s Celtic fiddling was enough to break hearts.”
In 2006, Shane retired from competitive fiddling as one of Canada's most highly awarded fiddlers. He is a three-time Canadian Open National Fiddle Champion, a three-time Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion, a Grand North American Fiddle Champion, and is the only Canadian to have ever won the US Grand National Fiddle Championship, a feat he accomplished at just 17 years of age.
JUNO nominee, Canadian Folk Music nominee, master fiddler Pierre Schryer, hasestablished himself as one of Canada’s musical gems among festivals, fans, and fellowmusicians. Pierre was immersed from an early age in the Franco-Ontarian traditions of his heritage, and has studied the fine subtleties of various traditional fiddle styles. As asolo performer he has received numerous titles and awards including Canadian Open Fiddle Champion, Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion, Violoneux Championnat,and North American Irish Fiddle Champion. Pierre enjoys teaching the art of fiddling atcamps and workshops throughout the country, and is active in composing new works,many of which are featured on his celebrated album, Mélange. As a producer, Pierrehas been the artistic leadership behind many large scale productions including hisannual Canadian Celtic Celebration festival held in late June in Thunder Bay, ON.
Pierre Schryer Trio is the collaboration of three stunning musicians incorporating elements of Classical, Improvisation, and World Music while maintaining a commitment to the authentic Celtic fiddle styles of Scottish, Irish, Ontario and Québec. The trio includes Pierre Schryer on fiddle & foot percussion; Andy Hillhouse on guitar & vocals; Joe Phillips on double bass & vocals.
Lead by dancer, composer and pianist, Martine Billette, Vertige is an explosive mixture of fiddle, button accordion, and percussion that exemplifies the joie de vivre and beauty of Quebecois music.Mixing traditional tunes with Martine’s own compositions, Vertige is a sure fire guarantee of musical magic.Visually, the dancing of several group members adds another layer to their dynamic range.Expect to hear an original (and gorgeous) waltz or two composed by Martine to give the audience a breather between the hard driving reels.
Blessed with a voice rich in natural tone and clarity, Colette has the rare ability to captivate her audience as she breathes new life into old songs of lost love, hardships, and tragedies of past immigrants. With her crystal-clear voice paired with stirring ballads and haunting melodies of traditional Scottish, Irish and English folksongs, Colette has the gift to create an atmosphere that connects with her audience intensely. As an emerging solo artist from Prince Edward Island, Canada she has been gathering national recognition as a solo vocalist receiving Traditional Singer of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA). Her album "Hours Before Dawn" has earned her nominations for 2009 CFMA Traditional Album of the Year, 2010 Music PEI Award for Folk Recording of the Year and 2010 East Coast Music Award for Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year.
Frantically Atlantic features the music and poetry of the Acadian and Celtic traditions, as performed by Don Rigley and Michelle Daigle. Don has performed music on both sides of the Atlantic, and has taught music for over twenty years. He plays several instruments; most of them have strings. Michelle Daigle is a singer and instrumentalist who has performed across Eastern Canada and New England, and boasts a wide range of film, stage, and television credits as an actor and comedian. She is also currently the Artistic Director at Kings Landing Historical Settlement in New Brunswick, a living history museum.
The Sideliners
Finola MacGinty moved to Goderich from Northern Ireland in 1988, and has been singing traditional and modern Irish songs all her life. Mike Crocker of Goderich is an instructor of guitar, bass and mandolin, as well as being an instrument repairman and musical mercenary for hire. Don Rivera, on concertina and vocals, is a mainstay of the Goderich music and drama scene. The newest members are Niamh MacGinty, Finola’s daughter, on vocals, and local musician Dave McKee on bass guitar and keyboard.
A swirling reverie of Scots & Irish song; flute; whistles; fiddles; guitar; bouzouki; bodhran; and Irish dance, HAWP is a Celtic ensemble that combines ancient traditions with modern musical approaches to create a sound truly representative of Celtic culture in the 21st century.
A fortunate meeting of some of the highest calibre and experienced Celtic musicians and dancers living in Canada, the HAWP lineup includes Anne Lederman, who has been described as “a national treasure”; Jason Pfieffer, whose original schooling was in jazz trumpet; and Scotsman Andy Webster, who has toured three continents with various acts including Scottish folk icon, Dougie MacLean.
Solid Clarity is an exciting new traditional music group, based in Limerick, Ireland. Since their formation in 2010, Christina, Caroline and Daiori have creatively blended their diversity, in terms of musical styles and influences, to shape a unique sound. Balancing strands of Irish traditional music and song against folk melodies of Scotland, Brittany, Nova Scotia and America, their music pushes the boundaries of the old in exploration of the new.
Alan Jabbour and Ken Perlman have redefined that great American invention, the fiddle-banjo duet, and bring it to new heights of complexity. Alan’s powerful fiddling style, with its syncopated bowing patterns and lyrical texture, is offset perfectly by Ken’s inspired approach to clawhammer banjo, which explores chord inversions, harmony lines, voice leading, note-for-note playing, and counter-melody. Their performances testify to the grace, beauty, and power of Appalachian music. Ken and Alan’s new joint CD, Southern Summits: 21 Duets for Fiddle and Banjo, made the “Best Records of 2005” list in The East Bay Express (Oakland, California). Ken and Alan have toured together in Britain, Ireland, continental Europe, Canada, and much of the United States. They have also served on the faculty of more than a score of prestigious music camps and teaching festivals.
Born in Halifax, with strong roots in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the girls have been wowing audiences across Canada with their unique blend of original and traditional Celtic music. Cassie’s fiddle playing has been described as "sweet and elegant with just the right amount of raw power" while Maggie’s piano playing has an "irresistible drive that will leave your foot incapable of staying still" and compliments Cassie’s playing perfectly. Together these delightful sisters bring more then your average fiddle and piano duo; Cassie is an award winning highland and step dancer and also sings harmony for Maggie. In addition to her piano playing, Maggie sings lead, plays guitar, banjo, accordion and is also an accomplished step dancer. Their music fits together seamlessly, encompassing various styles from Cape Breton reels to Antigonish Polkas, Quebecois fiddling and foot work to down east standards. Their vocal harmonies are sweet yet powerful and their step dancing exact and exciting, showing off their youthful charm and energy. They are certainly rising stars in the Celtic music scene; their act is exciting, captivating and not to be missed!
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Kim Robertson is a renowned performer and instructor who has stretched the boundaries of the harp for a new generation of performers and audiences. As a pioneer in the American folk harp movement, she combines an improvisational spirit with a passionate sense of tradition, bringing a contemporary touch to a centuries-old instrument.
A swirling reverie of Scots & Irish song; flute; whistles; fiddles; guitar; bouzouki; bodhran; and Irish dance, HAWP is a Celtic ensemble that combines ancient traditions with modern musical approaches to create a sound truly representative of Celtic culture in the 21st century.
