| 2007 will feature a brand new EARLY START to our festival weekend with a Saturday night show and barbecue. SEE OUR FULL SCHEDULE HERE The Barley Shakers The Almonte area’s version of a celtic symphony, this group opens the Sunday Main Stage. Consisting of up to 15 members playing fiddles, guitars, bodhran’s, keyboard, mandolin, whistle and vocals, The Barley Shakers have a sweet traditional sound. These people play for the love of the music, and sociability of it all. They give generously of their time to events around the region. Celtfest 2007 is proud and pleased to be able to host The Barley Shakers ! Bernie Costello and the Valley Rovers The Valley Rovers have been a long-time musical delight for appreciative audiences throughout the Ottawa Valley. Comprised of Bernie Costello, on keyboard, who this year was recognized for his peers for his 50 years in music. Bernie played with the legendary Mac Beatty. The band also includes Dave Brown on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Ken Jones on bass, Ken Jackson on fiddle and Clarence Fralik on guitar and vocals. Their repertoire Old Time Country, Down East and Newfoundland and Irish music thrown in. The group has been together for at least 25 years, with some combinations of the members being together, for over 40. Dave Brown states it is “still fun”, and their musical travels have taken the lads to the Royal York, the Chateau Laurier the Ottawa Ex, and to many St Patrick’s Day event throughout the Ottawa Valley. Martine Billette From a family of great traditional fiddlers in St Barbe Quebec, Martine has “become one of the most respected of Quebecois dancers. Learning from her father Maurice, Martine has learned and performed with notable dancers like Serge Mathon, Martin Duheme, and here at Celtfest 2007, with Gilles Roy. Martine possesses tremendous talent as a piano player. Martine has degrees in music, and musical therapy, and has toured the USA, England, France, Japan, and Canada with such excellent groups as Menage a Trois, Manigance, Pierre Schryer Band, and Gilles Roy Step. It is a real treat to have Martine at Celtfest again this year. Sarah Burnell http://sarahfiddle.ca/biography.php Sarah Burnell hails from Ottawa, Canada, but her musical roots may be found in Cape Breton, Scotland, Ireland, and Québec. Her energetic fiddling reflects the wide variety of coaches with whom she has studied, including Alasdair Fraser, Jerry Holland, Shannon McDade-Johnson, April Verch, David Greenberg, Sandy MacIntyre, Stan Chapman, Carl MacKenzie, and Glen Graham. In July, 2006, Sarah toured Scotland, and she enjoyed her first taste of Shetland, Norwegian, and Welsh fiddling! Sarah is also an accomplished singer, and she particularly enjoys singing in top-level choirs. She is a graduate of the Cantiamo Girls’ Choir (Ottawa), the Canterbury High School Concert Choir, and has twice been selected to be part of the Ontario Youth Choir. Her beautiful mezzo-soprano voice is perfectly suited to Celtic songs. Sarah also plays the bodhran, which she has studied with Lisa Gallant (Nova Scotia) and Eoin Coughlan (Ireland). Sarah is a premier-level highland dancer, and has enjoyed performing with the Loch Murray Dancers (Ottawa) and the RCMP Pipes and Drums Dance Ensemble (Ottawa). Sarah was born in Ottawa,where she studied classical violin and celtic fiddle, first with Nancy Eadie, and later with Sylvie Rocheleau. In June, 2006, she graduated from the Canterbury High School Fine Arts programme (strings). She is currently studying Violin and Music Education concurrently at McGill University, Montreal. Celtic Moon This is a new, and exciting Celtic rock styled band, formed by formidable players from the Ottawa, Ottawa Valley, and Atlantic Canada celtic music scene. Celtic Moon’s members are Neil McDaniel on guitar and vocals, Hugh Ferguson on bass, Glen Whalen on drums, and Terri-Lynn Mahusky on fiddle. Expect energy, movement, and strong interpretation of traditional tunes, crafted into a unique sound that is their own. Celtic Moon closes Celtfest 2007’s Kick-off Concert on Saturday, July 14, and then performs in the AfterHours Show at JR’s Downstairs Pub at about 10pm. Corkery Road http://www.hhtuningandperformance.com/corkery/index.htm Corkery Road is a five-member band from the Carp/West Carleton area. They entertain with a range of instruments: fiddle, acoustic guitar, mandolin, accordion, Irish whistle, concertina, bodhran (Irish drum), and voice. The band admits it is “heavy on the vocals, but include instrumental pieces as well. All of this makes for excellent variety in their performances, from rousing, rollicking pieces to a selection of slower ones. Corkery Road plays traditional Irish music as well as pieces from other faraway lands such as Scotland, England, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia/Cape Breton, Saskatchewan, and that most exotic of lands....the Ottawa valley! Corkery Road’s Mission: for the joy of performing and giving the audience a great time! Experience: Each band member has a range of experience performing individually and in other groups both past and present, so is very comfortable in front of an audience. Kyle Felhaver Band From musical Ottawa Valley families, Kyle Felhaver, on sizzling fiddle, and vocals, along with Mike Hanson, and Becky Reid carry on the rich tradition of amazing fiddling, and step dancing. Kyle and the band is a tremendous act, which every year, enlivens Celtfest with great energy, and dynamic instrumentals and songs. Kyle’s dad Dave Felhaver on guitar and mandolin, and Ray Kohlsmith on banjo rounds out the group. Becky Reid, one of Canada’s best step-dancers, and the Fusion Dancers will make your visit to Celtfest truly memorable. Joel Frenette Early on, Joel with sister Michelle bowled over audiences at Naismith School in Almonte. Joel has gone on to be part of the Fiddling and Step-Dancing competitive circuit, as well as performing many shows throughout Ottawa and the Valley to the delight of all. Joel is also a key member of the Celtfest 2007 Committee, and helps open this year’s Kick-off Concert with Joey Graff, and guests. Robynn Glockling Performing publicly since age 11, Carleton Place’s Robynn Glockling is truly one of this area’s exceptional talents. Her strong vocal and stage presence is at ease with a range of styles…from Celtic ballads, and atmospheric melodies, to Phantom of the Opera!..Robynn is joined on stage by Grace Armstrong on keyboard, Wade Foster on fiddle, Terry Kirkpatrick on electric drums, and Dave Moulton on guitar round out this very creative ensemble. Robynn’s distinctive voice will continue to emerge and you will be able to say… “I remember her at Celtfest 2007” Joey Graff Joey joins us this year for the Celtfest Kick-off, amidst a busy paddling season competing for the Carleton Place Canoe Club. Joey is a keen student of fiddle, and his sound and stage presence has grown, which is one of the primary goals of Celtfest, to showcase the excellent local talent Lynne Hanson http://www.lynnehanson.com/ http://www.lynnehanson.com/album/index.html "A stunning collection of roots-based songs coupled with exceptional vocals and an impressive array of musicians. Every year at KVMR-FM, we're asked to choose our Top 5 new releases for air play. Things I Miss will surely be on my list!" - Dennis Brunnenmeyer, Nevada City Limits, KVMR-FM Radio Paul Hawtin One of the real joys of experiencing Celtic music, is to appreciate the blend and interaction of the various instruments. The guitar, in particular, when accompanying a lead instrument like fiddle, offers a rhythm that sweeps the listener up into the melody. Paul Hawtin’s guitar playing does this. Resident of Ottawa, via Vancouver, Paul accompanies Matt Pepin’s set with a strong guitar backup that is distinctive and strong. Monday Night Fiddlers It is great to have the sweet sound of this group of musical friends back to Celtfest. Continuing the Valley tradition of kitchen/house sessions, the group meets every second Monday, and has been since 2002. Their members include recognized Valley fiddlers, experienced Fiddling competitors, band members, enthusiastic amateurs, and out and out music lovers. Members come and go, according to availability and the list this includes Lloyd Brunton, Dan O’Connell, Ron Caron, Tom Gardner, Bruce Wilson, Ken Jones, Irene McCloskey, Tim O’Connell, Joey Graff, Tommy Brennan, Mel McClinton , Paul Gemmill, Bob McGregor, Pat Legris, Alf Hamilton, Paddy Delahunty, Alexis MacIsaac, Kyle Felhaver, Terri-Lynn Mahusky The Ryans Michael and Dave Ryan, have been delighting Valley audiences for some three decades ( “starting almost out of the cradle”) following in their father’s musical footsteps. From the legendary St. Pat’s celebrations at Douglas Tavern, through to house parties, and working with well-known performers such as Natalie MacMaster, Wayne Rostad, and Gail Gavan, it is great to have the lads back to perform the great traditional ballads that make-up their extensive repertoire. Terri-Lynn Mahusky From up the line in Renfrew, Terri-Lynn is a wonderful talent, and nationally recognized for her musical prowess on the fiddle, and in step-dancing. She has been a great supporter of Celtfest over the years, as “house fiddler” and performing with others – Gilles Roy, Celtae, and this year with Celtic Moon, at the Celtfest Kick-off Concert, the AfterHours show, and on the Main Stage on Sunday. Terri-Lynn interprets old time Valley, French, modern, Irish, and contemporary music with a seeming ease that is the mark of an exceptional performer. One Square Mile Bluegrass Band http://www.onesquaremile.ca/bios. This “hard-driving bluegrass band from Ottawa brings their interpretation of Celtic derived bluegrass music to Celtfest 2007, at the Kick-Off Concert, the After Hours Pub Show, and the Sunday Main Stage. The band consists of: Randy Robinson- Randy is the band’s multi-instrumentalist /vocalist extraordinaire who plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, banjo, and dobro as well as sings lead and high harmony, all with flare and taste. He has lived the bluegrass lifestyle all his life -- learning from his father, aunts, and uncles -- and has jammed with some of the biggest names in the bluegrass world. Tom Chateauvert -As the founding father of One Square Mile, Tom has seen the band through it's ups and downs. The only ever banjo player with One Square Mile, Tom hails from the heart of the Ottawa Valley. His hard-driving banjo style gives One Square Mile it's signature "sit up and listen" sound. Brian Lynch Brian is One Square Mile’s elder statesman, resident bass player, band lead, and recording engineer. He is a multi-instrumentalist -- bass, guitar, and drums -- who has been playing bluegrass off and on for several years as well dabbling in rock'n' roll, country, and even some easy-listening lounge stints. He sings harmony and keeps the back beat going on everything from the breakdowns to the ballads. Matt Dougan Matt is the newest member of the band and he brings with him an extensive bag of tricks. Matt can pick flat top, mandolin, dobro and he sings lead as well. Matt's musical influences are wide and varied but bluegrass and old tyme music has always been a passion. Matt Pepin http://www.mattpepin.com/ The Canadian traditional music scene got a much-needed shot in the arm with the arrival of Matt Pepin’s CD release Pass It On (check it out at the Celtfest booth) earlier this year. Blending traditional musical values with contemporary attitude, Matt’s playing is as invigorating as his compositions, fresh, edgy, but always tasteful and well within the boundaries of the music. Born into a musical family in Northern Ontario, Matt seems to have manifested a life’s worth of music to create a style all his own, blending the Old-time, Quebecois music of his youth with the Irish, Scottish and Western he has studied vigorously ever since. Be it in person or on the stereo, “Matt brings a freshness and joy to his playing that is infectious. He honors the old tunes with excellent playing and presents new tunes with imagination…”(Arthur MacGregor, director of The Canadian Folk Music Awards) Kaylen Prescott Hailing from the shores of Clayton Lake, and a member of a great Valley musical family (Family Brown’s Tracey Brown, and music producer Randall Prescott are parents) Kaylen is emerging as a performer in his own style and voice. Kaylen is a 2005 Noreen Young Arts Award Recipient, as well as winning the prestigious Jennette Cressy award for outstanding accomplishment and potential. Kaylen has also helped produce and edit other performers through Riproar Productions, and is very much on his way in the music profession. Kaylen has recently sang back up on recordings by Susan Aglukark, Tracey Brown, Tudjaat and Snoopy's Country Classics. Celtfest welcomes Kaylen to the Kick-off Concert, and AfterHours Show at JR’s Downstairs Pub. Adam Puddington Returning from Alberta’s boom town of Calgary, Adam appears at both the Kick-off Concert, the AfterHours Shows, and the Main Event on Sunday. Adam is emerging as one of Almonte’s strongest ever singer songwriters. His influences include the geography and culture of the Ottawa Valley and Atlantic Canada. As one writer noted “rural Canadiana seeps into his songs, infusing his lyrics with the curious beauty of rivers, wildlife, rosaries and trains…With songs fresh and moving, saline and tidal,Adam leads us on a route…that is from threadbare grief to tentative redemption. Check the Celtfest booth for Adam’s great CD’s Can’t Sleep this One Off and For the Meantime Gilles Roy Step Dance Group Par Excellence… Gilles Roy is one of North America’s true ambassadors to the step dancing tradition. Performing for some 55 years starting at age 5, and learning from his Dad, in Cumberland, and now a resident of Carleton Place, Gilles and his outstanding dance and musical group has thrilled Celtfest audiences in the past. It is wonderful to welcome them back in 2007. Accompanying Gilles is the renowned Martine Billette on piano, André Brunet fiddler extraordinaire with internationally known La Bottine Souriante, and dancers Claire Dwyer, Gaston Nolet, Donny McGurdy, Claire Dwyer, Sarah Ellis, and Alex McWilliam The Schwartz’s Sean Schwartz, dynamic fiddler from the Pontiac region started on fiddle at age 9. Learning from Derek Wilson, and Louis Schreyer, Sean has developed his own unique strong style and Celtfest is glad to welcome him for the first time. Sean is joined by his mother, Isabelle Schwartz on guitar, fiddle, and piano. Isabelle’s comes from a rich musical tradition. Appearing also, is Chris Last one of the most outstanding step dancers around, exemplifies the Valley tradition of just getting up, and “givin-er” in a unique and improvised style. Searson www.searson.org From Eganville,and becoming hugely known across North America, Searson comes to Celtfest 2007. We are proud of these musical ambassadors from the Ottawa Valley for they let people across the continent get a glimpse of the great talent and energy that has, and continues to come out of this great place called the Ottawa Valley. Searson consists of Colleen Searson on fiddle, vocals and shoes, Erin Searson on piano, mandolin, lead vocals, and shoes, Heather Searson on bass, bodhran and shoes, Mike Searson on acoustic and electric guitar, and vocals, and Cuddy (Corey Zadorozny) on drums. Searson is described as “a kick-ass celtic and country rock band with a fresh contemporary attitude. Compared as a "…cross between The Cranberries and Shania Twain" by the Telegraph in Georgia, Searson has furiously been touring full time in Canada and the U.S. for the past three years. 2007 will be their most exciting and hectic year yet with over 200 live performances and the recording of their next original CD in the works. Erin Searson said music was always present in her family, and she and her sisters began music lessons at young ages. She personally started to play the piano when she was 4 years old. The sisters play fiddle, bass guitar, mandolin, piano and banjo, as well as step-dance and sing. Their father also plays guitar and sings. "We played as volunteer work in the community, and it got to a point where we were starting to get paid to do it,'' Erin Searson said of the band's beginnings. "When we got older, in high school and when we went to university, we made a conscious decision to keep the band going.'' The sisters put themselves through college by playing gigs on weekends and during the summer, and three years ago decided to pursue music full-time. "It's been nonstop from there,'' she said. The band is booked with performances through 2008. Just in March, they will head to Pennsylvania, Indiana, Missouri, South Carolina and New York. In the Ottawa Valley where they grew up, Erin Searson said, Celtic music was a way of life. "Fiddle and step dance were dominant,'' she said. "Our area was saturated with this kind of music.'' Kelly Sloan A graduate of Almonte District High School, and Dalhousie University, it is a real asset to Celtfest that Kelly has returned from work in Alberta to join us this year. Kelly is an accomplished singer of a range of styles, including Opera, Celtic, Folk, Country and Bluegrass. Her renditions of Canada and Ireland’s anthems, and The Parting Glass, to close Celtfest, are a great contribution, along with her stage performance, and this year at the Kick-0ff and AfterHours Pub sessions, along with Adam Puddington. Brock Zeman Brock Zeman may only be twenty-five years old, but already he’s released three previous albums with his signature roots style, and been praised by critics for the maturity of his vocals, the depth of his storytelling and his impressive live performances – which he shares with audiences widely and regularly, across North America and Europe. Peter North of the Edmonton Sun has said of a previous album of Zeman’s (Cold Winter Comes Back) that “this is one of the best singer/songwriter records I’ve heard in a long time!” Americana UK has said of a previous album (Songs from the Mud) that “Brock creates songs that stand out...[it] is a great, consistently strong record and one that elevates Zeman into the pantheon of top notch Canadian singer-songwriters” (Americana UK). Welcome Home Ivy Jane will only reinforce Zeman’s place in the roster of performers to watch out for. For a hint at what you should expect, have a look at our previous years performer lists: 2005 Performers 2004 Performers! If you are interested in performing or for more information, please contact Dan O’Connell via email at doconnellsr@hotmail.com or at (613) 256-3786 Back |