| "Three sensational fiddlers from three distinct Celtic traditions..." - Boston Herald
Sold-out tours and standing ovations are testimony to the electricity and excitement
generated by The Celtic Fiddle Festival. Called "Three of the finest folk violinists
anywhere" by The Washington Post, Kevin Burke, Johnny Cunningham and Chrisitan Lemaître
are masters of their respective styles of Ireland, Scotland and Brittany. The three showcase
their regional repertoires and together conjure an experience of breathtaking performances.
Kevin Burke is a world-renowned Irish fiddle master, playing the beautiful fluid,
highly ornamented style of County Sligo. Kevin has been a mainstay of several seminal Irish
supergroups, from The Bothy Band to current all-star Irish band Patrick Street. Born in
London to Sligo parents, Kevin moved to Ireland in the 1970s to play with Christy Moore.
He was then invited to join The Bothy Band, perhaps Ireland's most influential traditional
group. Kevin has also recorded with Kate Bush, Arlo Guthrie and Paul Brady and on
Tim O'Brien's latest album, Two Journeys. Now living in Portland, Oregon, his most recent
solo album is In Concert, recorded live in Portland.
Johnny Cunningham is a founding member of the legendary Scottish group Silly Wizard.
One of the finest fiddlers of any genre, Johnny's dazzling style is dynamic and technically
superb, from emotive and eloquent airs to lightning-fast reels. He is a sought-after record
producer (Solas, Cherish the Ladies), and has created the music for the acclaimed play and
soundtrack CD, "Peter and Wendy." Johnny is a former member of the Celtic bands Nightnoise
and Relativity, and frequently performs with Irish singer Susan McKeown. He lives in
Massachusetts.
Christian Lemaître is from Brittany, the Celtic region in northwest France. A master
of traditional Breton music, Christian honed his playing at festou-noz (festive evening barn
dances) throughout Brittany. His fiddle playing represents the exotic, rich cadences of the
Breton tradition, as well as influences from Southern and Eastern Europe. He has toured and
recorded with the outstanding Breton groups Kornog, which included Soïg Siberil on guitar,
and Pennou Skoulin.
In ensemble, the fiddlers play with such relentless precision and fire that tunes escalate
into inspired climaxes. A spirit of spontaneous fun strings their performance together, as
the musicians trade hilarious jokes and commentaries. With warmth and wit, The Celtic Fiddle
Festival is a show of winning hilarity and unforgettable musical thrills.
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