Who's Who of the NWF!

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Le Vent du Nord

Le Vent du Nord captures the energy and mirth of a Saturday night kitchen party, infusing old Québec with a breath of fresh, cosmopolitan air, and features Simon Beaudry (guitar, bouzouki), Nicolas Boulerice (hurdygurdy, keyboard), André Brunet (fiddle), Olivier Demers (fiddle, feet) and Réjean Brunet (accordion). The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions.

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Cantrip

This trio of Scottish traditional musicians has been stunning audiences on several sides of the Atlantic for over a decade with its driving blend of fiddle (Jon Bews), bagpipes (Dan Houghton), and guitar (Eric McDonald). Weaving together songs and tunes, both traditional and contemporary, Cantrip takes the audience on a cultural journey, putting their own spin on each style.

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Conor Mallon

Many of us know Conor from his successful tours of the US with the band Connla. While Connla is still a focus for Conor, the shutdown gave him time to work on a solo project that had been percolating for years. The result was, “Unearthed”, a beautiful album that honors tradition while exploring the potential of the uilleann pipes. Already a favorite showcasing band, Conor is taking Unearthed on the road and will be coming to North America starting in 2024.

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É.T.É

Awarded the 2020 Gala GAMIQ Album of the Year award in Traditional Music, plus the OPUS prize for “Discovery of the Year 2017-2018”, among many other accolades since their first album release in 2017, this trio is winning over the hearts of listeners worldwide, young and old alike. É.T.É are Élisabeth (fiddle, step-dancing, vocals), Thierry (bouzouki, guitar, podorythmie, vocals), and Élisabeth (cello, vocals). The word été in French means summer–a fitting tribute to how their original, lively take on Québec traditional music is infused with a new vitality.

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Hiraezh: Claire Boucher, Brad Hurley, Lysandre Chartrand

In sharing their repertoire, Lysandre and Claire realized that the lyrics of traditional songs from Québec are often similar to those from Brittany (the Celtic region of France), just with different melodies and rhythms. Common themes and stories from both sides of the Atlantic are interpreted by this intergenerational duo, whose voices and energy blend and match beautifully. They are accompanied on some songs by Brad Hurley on 12-string guitar.

 

Kalos

Kalos is made up of three innovative interpreters and composers of Celtic roots music: Eric McDonald, Ryan McKasson and Jeremiah McLane. They are masters of tradition who purposefully explore the dark corners floating on its edges, delivering an alluring musical complexity full of spontaneity and joyful exuberance. Their individual artistry is enhanced when together. In short, the sum creates a greater whole. Pulling from parallel strands of influence, they create a swirling level of intensity that traverses darkness, light, and everywhere in between. An air of mystery pervades a sound compelling enough to transcend boundaries and appeal to music lovers of all stripes.

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Mick McAuley

Mick McAuley is an Irish musician, composer and songwriter who has recorded and toured internationally for many years. While his music is rooted firmly in the Irish tradition, he has been part of a movement which continues to push the musical boundaries of that tradition to bring Irish music to a wider and more diverse audience around the world. As a long-time member of the Irish-American ensemble SOLAS, he has recorded and toured nine albums with them and received widespread international acclaim. The Boston Herald hailed SOLAS as "the best Irish traditional band in the world".

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No Strings Marionettes

Puppeteers Dan Baginski and Barbara Paulson transform any space into an intimate theater, where the seamless blend of movement, music and masterful manipulation captivates young and old alike. These Vermont artisans lovingly hand craft the marionettes, props and scenery, whether for an original tale or an adaptation of a classic.

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The Reel McCoys

The Reel McCoys are a powerhouse Celtic band with strong Canadian influences. Though only recently formed, the members are each seasoned veterans of the Celtic world and beyond. Joe Deleault (accordion, piano) has toured internationally and recorded with such names as Jon Bon Jovi, Carly Simon, Joan Osborne, Natalie MacMaster, Mighty Sam McClain, and many more. Matt Jensen (guitar) studied music as UMass Lowell and has since become one of the most sought-after guitarists in New Hampshire, collaborating with many of the area’s top bands and recording studios. Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki (fiddle) has been performing Irish and Scottish music since he was a child, and was named a “Master Artist” by the NH State Council On The Arts and “Best Fiddler 2016” by NH Magazine. The trio made their debut at the NH Highland Games in September of 2018 and are already becoming recognized for their driving, energetic interpretations of traditional fiddle tunes and their lively stage presence! 

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Traverse

Featuring Laura Risk (fiddle), Nicholas Williams (accordion, flute), and Rachel Aucoin (piano), Traverse has received critical acclaim from Songlines Magazine, The Guardian (UK), and RootsWorld (USA). This virtuosic trio performed at Festival Mémoire et Racines, the largest folk festival in Quebec.

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Footworks

Inspired by the high-energy Celtic music of Nova Scotia, Footworks brings to audiences the powerful rhythms and red-hot fiddle playing of Cape Breton traditional music. Footwork’s haunting songs, rollicking fiddle, lovely Irish whistle, and driving guitar rhythm make for a delightful and unforgettable musical experience.

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