Colin Adjun | Kugluktuk, NU | http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51015296009
Qristina Bachand | Victoria, BC | A very charming and talented fiddler. I’d describe her style as solid but tasteful, expressive, sensual and with a firm technical foundation. Besides delivering an excellent musical contribution, I’ve witnessed some of her other, personal qualities during sessions and performances. She manages to show her enthusiasm and inspire other musicians with her great smile, stamps on the floor and unique, powerful arranged sets of mostly traditional tunes. It’s a great pleasure to watch her bring the music alive, inspire others and capture one’s full attention with tunes like Kathryn’s castle or Wistful Daydreamer. I hope to see a lot more of her and her brother Quinn in the near future. | Qristina Bachand is an expressive fiddler with a personal style that is vibrant and full of energy. She makes old tunes sound new. Every performance is exciting and fresh. Along with her incredibly talented brother Quinn, Qristina holds the key to the future of Canadian fiddling. | Qristina Bachand is by far my favorite Canadian fiddler. She is an amazing musician and a fantastic performer. | Amazing talent, one to watch for sure. | I have watched Qristina grow as a fiddler, a performer and as an inspiration to many young fiddlers. She is a delightful young woman, full of life and love for the traditional music she and her brother perform. Qristina ranks among the very best in Canadian fiddling. http://www.qbachand.com
Jean-François Branchaud | St-Côme, QC | Traditional québécois fiddling.
Ceilidh Briscoe | Victoria, BC | Sligo Style Irish Fiddle | Ceilidh is an amazing 15-year old fiddler who has won two North American Irish Fiddle Championships in New York and last year placed second in the slow airs category of the All-Ireland Fiddle Championships. Winning this award gives her the privileged title of “All-Ireland Fiddle Champion”. Ceilidh studies Irish Fiddle with five-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion Brian Conway from New York. She has weekly lessons with him via Skype. Ceilidh is a former member of the BC Fiddle Orchestra, and has studied with prominent BC fiddlers Daniel Lapp and Calvin Cairns. Ceilidh will be competing in the Fleadh Cheoil in County Cavan, Ireland in August 2010.
André Brunet | Épiphanie, QC | http://andrebrunet.qc.ca | trad québécois | Voir le sourire d’André lorsqu’il joue est un réel plaisir, ce jeune homme a donné le goût à d’autres jeunes de s’intéresser à l’instrument.Il n’est pas que virtuose il est altruiste et se consacre à faire de la musique pour des personnes handicapées intellectuelles . On l’a connu très actif au sein de la Bottine souriante aujourd’hui il est enseignant. Bravo André!
Andrew Bryan | Hamilton, ON | http://www.poorangus.com | Freestyle, celtic, whatever he needs to do… This guy not only kills as a member of Poor Angus, but plays blues, jazz, country, and his own very distinct style of fiddle that you sort of have to hear to get. He rocks!
Bob Burchill | London, ON | http://www.bobburchill.com | South Western Ontario Celtic | Raised in fiddle music in the Dublin, ON area, steeped in east-coast tradition and has a great interest in passing it on to inspired students and audiences alike.
Calvin Cairns | Victoria, BC | http://www.calvincairns.com | He’s got such a wide range of styles – Eastern European, Gypsy Jazz, Swing, Traditional Celtic… and is able to fuse them all into such a great sound.
Jean Carignan | Levis, QC | Pour moi, Jean Carignan a été la plus grande source d’inspiration au violon. J’ai beaucoup écouté French Canadian Fiddle Songs.
J.J. Chaisson | Souris, PE | http://www.jjchaisson.com | Traditional | Amazing fiddler and an amazing guy!! Only 28 years old but plays like a 40 year veteran!
Shane Cook | Dorchester, ON | http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~shanecook/home.htm | Canadian Old Time, Bluegrass, Irish, Celtic, Texan Swing, French Canadian, etc. | Shane is perhaps the finest Fiddler in the country. He effortlessly executes, sometimes unthinkable “licks” and improvisations in very difficult tunes. Other players can perhaps do these things, but not with the grace and accuracy, along with the incredible feel that shane can seemingly do at will. He started as an Old Time player in the ways of Don Messer and Graham Townsend, but has progressed to be an incredible Swing player, which is evidence of his US Grand National Fiddle Championship, in Weiser, Idaho. He is rightfully one of the lead fiddlers in the celtic group “Bowfire”. He stands out even this group of the best fiddlers from across the country. He is a 3 time Canadian Grand Masters Champion, and 3 time Canadian Open Champion. There is nobody I have ever seen with a bow arm like Shane. He has the power, to go along with the smooth and clean sound to be considered nothing other than the very best. Not only can he play many different styles with ease, but he has the rare ability to “flip the switch” and make himself sound like a traditionally Irish, Canadian, or Bluegrass player. It is simply unbelievable how he is able to control his own sound, yet still be able to portray and keep the “traditional sound” of many other styles. Shane is a master of many styles and from everybody in the fiddle world, especially from Ontario, should believe that Shane Cook is indeed the best, and most dynamic fiddler (not violinist) in the country.
Dwayne Cote | St. Peter’s, NS | http://www.bluwebsolutions.ca/dwaynecote | Cape Breton | Coming from Nova Scotia, it’s hard to narrow down the list of fiddlers to just one, but I thought I’d put a vote in for one of my favourites who’s not as well-known outside of the region, Dwayne Cote from St. Peter’s. Not only is he a talented fiddler, he possesses a remarkable ear and can incorporate elements of classical and jazz into his playing without missing a beat. I’ve always thought he has a “phonographic memory” and can remember just about any tune he’s heard, and can turn it to his own advantage. He can tear through the challenging Tullochgorum like a hot knife through butter and even Ashley MacIsaac tips his hat to him. He has to be heard live to be believed.
Alyssa & Nicholas Delbaere-Sawchuk | Toronto, ON | Metis and Native Canadian fiddle music | They will perform at the Vancouver Olympic Aboriginal Cultural Pavilion in February 2010 | http://www.metisfiddlerquartet.com
Andy Desjarlis | MB
Serena Edes | Gibsons, BC | http://www.myspace.com/serenaeadesmusic | From traditional to new acoustic, latin and even classical. Fun, driving and down to earth; amazing fiddler and a humble musical mentor.
Jaron Freeman- Fox | Toronto, ON | He is a diverse and complex musician that takes the fiddle to where no fiddle has gone before!
Karine Gallant | St-Timothy, PE | trad acadienne.
Pascal Gemme | Farnham, QC | http://genticorum.com | trad québécois | groupe Genticorum.
Daniel Gervais | AB | http://www.kenoseekitchenparty.ca/daniel.html | Former nominee, Young Performer of the Year; continues to perform nationally and internationally as well as to record.
Colin Grant | Sydney, NS | http://www.colingrant.ca | Colin is one of the most brilliant young composers and traditional fiddlers that I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
David Greenberg | Halifax, NS | http://davidgreenbeg.ca | Cape Breton, early Scottish styles.
Lia and Kai Gronberg | BC | Old time, Celtic | At age often and twelve, Lia and Kai has won first in many fiddle contests such as Grand North American Fiddle Championship, John Arcand’s Fiddle Festival.They have released their second CD with Canadian fiddle master Calvin Vollrath which contains 9 of the 12 tunes composed by Kai and Lia. Under the name Fiddlin’ Frenzy, they had performed at 15 Olympic games. From 2005 till now they had some great shows coast to coast at many different festivals repeatedly such as From 2005 till now they had some great shows coast to coast at many different festivals repeatedly such as Mt. Lehman Fair, Seattle’s Northwest Folklife, Victoria and Nanaimo French Festivals and successfully put on their own concert through Festival of Creative and Artistic.In 2006, they recorded their first CD, “The Fox and The Fiddle” at the age 7 and 9. They had been featured on CBC radio and many local papers and have been nominated for the Abbotsford Arty Award. They are also a “Face of Abbotsford” who represents Abbotsford’s art and culture. Both started learning classical music at age 4 but soon discovered the fiddle. These two young fiddlers are classical violin prodigies, they also do clogging dance, play piano and Lia is an accomplished cellist too. They both have composed their own music since they were seven. Fiddle master Calvin Vollrath said they are amazing. Some of the adjudicators have also praised them as the “musical kids.” When they competed at Prince George in the adult Twin Fiddle category and came in first, they received a standing ovation for their astonishing harmonic performance. They were also chosen out of 400 members from the Vancouver Youth Symphony to perform at a Celtic event and boy did the wow the crowds!
Denis Harrington | Renfrew, ON | I’ve been to many gigs in the area over the past summer and thouroughly enjoyed his playing.
Ivonne Hernandez | Victoria, BC | http://www.ivonnehernandez.com | She’s a great Canadian fiddler/stepdancer and plays many different styles; a 5-time North American and BC Grand Champion.
Jerry Holland | Cape Breton, NS | http://jerryholland.com | Jerry Holland was one of the most influental players of our times,inspiring at least two generations of fiddlers both in Canada, and across the pond. His technic was at once strongly agressive yet,there was was a senuous, haunting vulnabilty in it that is rarely heard, or duplicated, he could make his fiddle growl and whisper at the same time! His countless tunes have become standards world wide. Yet Jerry remained an increadibly generous and humble man,who took great plesure in sharing his music with others,happily spending time with his countless friends, and admirers. Like the great Kim Vincent, I know as time goes by, more people will come to realize what a unique talent he was,and what a major contribution he has made to Celtic music.
Adam Iredale-Gray | Victoria, BC | Trad | Adam is an inspiration to hear and watch. His love of the fiddle is impossible to miss and is entirely contagious. He doesn’t shy away from trying anything and everything with any instrument but when he picks up the fiddle you can tell he’s in his true element. He has contributed to a number of musical projects over the years (including releasing something like 4 albums before the age of 20!) Currently, as part of the exciting “folk” duo Fish & Bird he shares his incredible widely-cultivated talent to a variety of audiences large and small across Canada and beyond. One just can’t help but dance in their seat and smile to see and hear him stomp his way around the stage in his socked feet while he plays. | http://www.fishandbird.ca
Roy Johnstone | Argyle Shore, PE |http://www.royjohnstone.com | Celtic, blues, jazz
Daniel Lapp | Victoria, BC | http://www.daniellapp.com | Daniel brings a virtuosity, driving creativity, generosity and abundant joie de vivre to his playing that captivates audiences, and certainly enriched my days living in Victoria. His dedication to folk music, through collecting and archiving BC folk fiddle tunes, and educating young fiddlers, just adds to the positive impact he has had on Canadian fiddling.
Anne Lederman | Toronto, ON | http://annelederman.com | She went into Dauphin, Manitoba and lived with the Métis, a girl born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. She learned Métis fiddling; teaches fiddling at Toronto University. Produced tapes, records, CDs; spreads childrens’ folksongs about Canada; lives and breathes folk music; a great folk legend fiddler of Canada!
Amy Lounder | Halifax, NS | http://smokincontraband.com | Bluegrass plus plus; amazing fiddler, getting better and better. Classically trained, and it shows in the quality of the sound and the control of the bow. Age 29 10 years(ages 5-10) classical violin training with the late Jean Fraser of Halifax plus experience with The Rapson family and the Nova Scotia Junior Symphony Orchestra. This classical background supplied Amy with a special use of the bow. All of that has led to her career in Organic farming in the US and Canada (currently Nova Scotia). The violin became a fiddle when she realized her true love in folk music with the Smokin’ Contra Band and their monthly contra dances in Halifax. CBC and Glen Meisner in Halifax have given very much assistance to Amy and the Band. In addition to their regular performances, they are about to (Dec.2009) perform on VIA Rail on their trip to Montreal from Halifax. Amy has blossomed not only as a folk style fiddler but also as a singer with the Band. Facebook and YouTube offer many examples of the “Smokin’ Contra Band and Amy Lounder.
Kendra MacGillivray | Charlottetown, PE | http://www.kendramacgillivray.com/ | Traditional | For over twenty years, Kendra MacGillivray has brought fiddle music to life with her incredibly energetic performances with the fiddle. As a former Highland dancer, Kendra aims to make her fiddling lively and dancable with upbeat jigs, polkas and hornpipes, beautiful swaying waltzes and slow airs or selections of rhythmic strathspeys and reels that build in speed and intensity. She’s even been known to make a few steps while fiddling at the same time in high heels! With numerous awards under her belt, including two prestigious East Coast Music Awards, including “Female Artist of the Year” and “Instrumental Artist of the Year” in 2002. Since 1989, MacGillivray has also found time to pass on her Scottish traditions in fiddle, piano accompaniment, Highland and stepdance by teaching lessons, workshops and master classes. She has been invited to teach at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts in Cape Breton, NS and in Vermont, USA, the Pacific Institute of Celtic Performing Arts on Vancouver Island in BC and at various fiddle camps such as the Emma Lake Fiddle Camp in Saskatchewan. In 2003, her efforts were rewarded with the “Educator of the Year” title by the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia.
Troy MacGillivray | Nova Scotia | East coast, Cape Breton | http://troymacgillivray.com | Troy MacGillivray is right up there as one of Canada’s best fiddlers. He is easily the most powerful fiddler I’ve ever seen perform. His playing is clean and strong. When you are looking for someone to “drive ‘er”, Troy is the one for the job. He is steeped in east coast tradition but is always seeking out new music and styles to augment his already vast repertoire. And you can’t talk about Troy as a musician without talking about his piano playing ability. He is sought out as an accompanist by many. In addition to being so talented, he is very hard working – the story of the depth and range of his talent is shown on his gig page on his website which also tells about the many awards he has won and the recognition he has received for his work. Canada is lucky to have him.
Sandy MacIntyre | Ontario/Cape Breton | Cape Breton style | Sandy MacIntyre was born in the town of Inverness on April 17, 1935. His father mother were both Scottish fiddlers. Sandy moved to Toronto and took the music with him. Sandy has been an instructor at the Cape Breton Fiddling School at the Gaelic College in St. Ann’s for many years and successfully expanded the interest in that program to students from around the world. He continues to run fiddle classes in Toronto and teaches Cape Breton step dancing. He is a prolific composer with over a hundred tunes to his credit, many in active circulation among Cape Breton players. A number of fiddlers have composed tunes in Sandy’s honour: Sandy MacIntyre’s Trip to Boston (composed by John Campbell); Sandy MacIntyre’s (composed by Brenda Stubbert); Sandy MacIntyre’s March (composed by Donald Angus Beaton).
Ashley MacIsaac | Windsor, ON | Cape Breton style | Easily one of the best and most charismatic performers of fiddle music anywhere! | http://ashleymacisaac.net
Lisa MacIsaac | Toronto, ON | http://www.madisonviolet.com/main.html | Folk | When she plays the world stands still…
Gordie MacKeeman | O’Leary, PE | http://grassmountainhobos.com | Bluegrass, old time, down east | I don’t even know what to say! Have you seen this guy play? He incorporates elements of bluegrass, old time and the down east fiddle tradition and fuses it into something magical. Never mind the fact that he can’t stand still. Wait until he starts to dance… you just never know where his fiddle will lead you, but you definitely won’t be sitting still!
Roma McMillan | Ottawa, ON | Ottawa Valley style | Roma was considered the ‘Queen of Ottawa Valley Fiddling’. She played classical violin in the 1920′s and started playing old-timey in the 40′s. In her later years, she became a teacher and mentor of younger fiddlers. When she was 85, she stopped teaching at the Ottawa Folklore Centre because it interfered with her social life…fiddling. The Folklore Centre has presented the Roma McMillan fiddle scholarship annually since 1989. Roma presented the trophy and performed every year until her death in 2008.
Béatrix Méthé | Ste-Béatrix, QC | http://dentdelion.net, http://lespoulesacolin.com | Trad, folk | The talented daughter of fiddler Claude Méthé, she studies classical violin and plays/tours with folk-trad groups Dentdelion and Les Poules à Colin. She is already a budding composer (and great singer!).
Claude Méthé | Ste-Béatrix, QC | http://dentdelion.net | Trad québécois | groupes Dentdelion, Ni Sarpe Ni Branche; ex-membre Le Rêve du Diable, Entourloupe, Manigance, Jeter le Pont. A self-taught fiddler who founded one of trad Québec’s first well-known bands (Le Rêve du Diable), he inherited the repertoire of Lotbinière fiddler Aimé Gagnon, a close friend and mentor until his death. Claude is also a prolific composer of “new trad” tunes. His solo album L’Amant Confesseur was nominated for Trad Album of the Year at the 2007 CFMAs.
Nellie Quinn | Victoria, BC | http://www.myspace.com/nelliequinnfiddler | trad folk
Ivonne Hernandez | Victoria | http://www.ivonnehernandez.com | Canadian style | She’s a great fiddler/stepdancer and plays many different styles and has been the North American and BC grand fiddle champion five times.
Kierah Raymond | White Rock, BC | Original, Cape Breton, Irish | Kierah lives in our community of White Rock. I have had the privilege of seeing her perform at numerous events and I am always in awe of her incredible talent. Two CDs and a book of her own original music at 14 is downright amazing and inspirational to me!
Oliver Schroer | Toronto, ON | http://oliverschroer.com | I’m thinking so much about Oliver Schroer… what a wonderful fiddler. Hymns and Hers, Camino, and all the others albums surely have classic status already. What a wonderful, inventive approach to the fiddle he had!
Louis Schryer | Chapeau, QC | Mr. Schryer is my math & music teacher and I think my community is very privileged to have such great talent so close to home.
Pierre Schryer | Thunder Bay, ON | http://www.pierreschryer.com/ | Pierre is amazing. I have been fortunate enough to see him many times in the past two years – and it only gets better. Pierre is also very committed to promoting Celtic music and he hosts many events including a celebration each year. He is also a committed teacher and often brings his students on stage with him. He rocks!
John Showman | Toronto, ON | http://johnshowman.com | Bluegrass, old-time | Since I’m submitting myself, I can say with certainty that my survival instincts in general make me MY favorite fiddle player by a considerable margin. I not only put food in my own belly and earn a living for myself (it\’s been 13 years) but I occasionally find myself playing notes that make my head ring in a very positive way (probably because the fiddle is so close to it while I play).
Christina Smith | St. John’s, NL | http://jeanhewsonandchristinasmith.com
April Verch | Innisfil, ON | http://aprilverch.com | Fabulous Ottawa Valley fiddler, stepdancer and singer.
Kim Vincent | Toronto, ON | Irish | Kim has been one of the most influential fiddlers in this area. Originally from PEI, he has his own unique style. He is amazingly musical and captivating to watch, and is extremely willing to play with any skill level and will spend time showing newer players stuff. Unfortunately Kim is suffering from terminal lung cancer and is at the moment living with his daughter in the Ottawa Valley. Feel free to contact me and I can put you in contact with others who can vouch for him.
Calvin Vollrath | AB | http://www.calvinvollrath.com | teacher, mentor, recording artist, producer, general inspiration to fiddle players of all styles and ages
Besnik Yzeiri | Windsor, ON | Besnik plays it all – really, ALL. Besnik is principally a violinist in the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, however I am honoured to know him as a fellow musician, he plays with my band “Same Latitude As Rome” whenever it fits with his schedule. He’s a very busy guy! Besnik is a classically trained musician who simply plays at another level from the rest of us mortals. He plays all styles, and naturally is a great studio musician because he hears instantly what the song needs. Besides being a great musician, he is a really nice person, who willingly shares his love of music generously with others.
