fiddle

The fifth generation of her family on the same farm on the outskirts of Inverness, Sarah-Jane Summers comes from a background of fiddle players and makers and was brought up steeped in the local tradition. Taught by the late, great Donald Riddell, she has a deep understanding of the old Highland fiddle style. Equally at home on the Norwegian hardanger fiddle, her fresh, unique, lyrical sound has been described as ´lush Highland fiddle music with a Nordic twist´ (Cromarty Old Brewery Arts Centre).

The Pine Leaf Boys are a two-time Grammy Award-nominated Cajun and Creole band from South Louisiana. Members include Wilson Savoy (accordion, fiddle, vocals), Courtney Granger (fiddle, accordion, vocals), Drew Simon (drums and vocals), Jon Bertrand (guitars), and Thomas David (bass). Former members include Cedric Watson (fiddle) and Blake Miller (bass, fiddle). They play traditional Cajun and Creole music from Southwest Louisiana, inspired by bands dating from the 20s such as Amédé Ardoin to modern bands such as Mamou Playboys and Jason Frey.

John Carty is one of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians having been awarded the Irish Television station, TG4’s Traditional Musician of the Year in 2003. He joins previous acclaimed winners Matt Molloy (Chieftains flautist), Tommy Peoples (Master Fiddler), Mary Bergin (whistle player, Dordan), Máire Ní Chathasaigh (Harpist) and Paddy Keenan (Uilleann Piper), all of whom are considered to be the leading exponents of their instruments within the Irish tradition.

Ric was born on 8 December 1952 and brought up in Birmingham. He joined Fairport Convention in 1985. The violin was Ric's first love and he took up the instrument as a youngster. His first professional engagement was in 1972, touring Europe with Stomu Yamashta's Red Buddah Theatre. During the mid-1970s Ric was in demand as a jazz soloist and worked with, among others, Michael Garrick, Johnny Patrick and legendary jazz pianist Jaques Dieval.