Instrumental trad duo Tim and James began two years ago over a Tuesday morning cup of tea, sparked by friends urging that they write music together. Originally hailing from the farmlands of California and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, Tim and James’ compositions are laden with their nostalgia of rural and agricultural landscapes with flowers in bloom. Playful and emotive their performance feels like a cinematic canvas to paint your own story into. From simple, daily, cozy like working in the garden or cooking a meal for friends to hiking to your favorite mountain swimming hole.
Artist Category: Fiddle
Patrick M’Gonigle
Patrick M’Gonigle began playing violin at the age of 7 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He studied classically with Suzuki-trained violin teacher Yasuko Eastman in Victoria, BC and during this time won several awards for his classical music as both a soloist and member of several String Quartets and small ensembles.
After several years of touring in Canada with an acoustic dance band, Patrick moved to Boston in 2008 to study at the Berklee College of Music. Upon graduation in 2013, he immediately began a Masters degree in Music from the New England Conservatory, graduating Summa Cum Lauda in 2015 with a performance degree from the Contemporary Improvisation department. In 2012 Patrick formed the Lonely Heartstring Band, a modern acoustic string-band quintet. Since 2012, the band has released an acclaimed record, “Deep Waters” on Rounder Records with a second album “Smoke and Ashes” released in early winter, 2019. In 2015, the Lonely Heartstring Band was awarded a “Momentum Award” of “Best New Band” by the International Bluegass Music Association (IBMA) and in both 2016 and 2017, the group was nominated for the IBMA award for “Emerging Artist of the Year”.
Clara Rose & Raphaella Hero
Clara Rose and Raphaella Hero blend two unique voices into an inseparable whole in their revealing delivery of original music, traditional folk tunes, and improvisation. Their music represents a way of being together with presence, patience, compassion, embodiment, playfulness, and curiosity. These elements are central to the spirit of improvisation which characterizes their musical partnership. With every performance, they offer an invitation to simply be — to put down what you carry, and enter the present moment in the safe embrace of acoustic sound, creative mastery, and grace. Join Clara and Raphaella for their first tour in New England, as they reach out to bring community together, sharing brightness and warmth and at the coldest time of the year.
Matt Hartz
Legendary Texas fiddle master Matthew Hartz is an Idaho native currently living in Boise, Idaho. He is a three-time Grand Masters Fiddle Champion (Nashville, TN) a two-time Grand National Fiddle Champion (Weiser, Idaho), and a two-time World Fiddle Champion (Crockett, Texas). Matthew’s early influences originated from his parents’ diverse record collection which included anything from Dixieland Jazz to bluegrass and much more. Yet his artistic perspective was profoundly shaped by Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys who remain his most significant influence.
Matthew’s father, a major influence in Matthew’s musical career, started him on banjo and guitar at the age of 3 years old. He started playing classical violin at 8 years old and was introduced to folk genres on the violin a couple of years later. His ear was bent toward Texas old-time fiddle masters Major Franklin, Orville Burns, Texas Shorty, and Terry Morris, as well as jazz/swing musicians Bob Wills & Stuff Smith. Matthew developed quickly and won all the major fiddle titles by the age of 19.
Besides fiddle championships, career highlight include producing the soundtrack for the 2003 award-winning PBS documentary, “Idaho Rhapsody” and multiple appearances on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Matthew currently travels and performs with several touring groups and local bands. He is the leading host for the In My Beach Boys Room Podcast and instructs and performs at many music camps and workshops across the country. Matthew is a multi-instrumentalist renowned in many circles for his deep groove and rhythmic integrity in any style he touches. Seven-time World Fiddle Champion Jim “Texas Shorty” Chancellor eloquently summed up the style of Matthew’s music, “An ability to express music through what most of us can only feel.”
Tashina Clarridge
Grand National Fiddle Champion Tashina Clarridge has toured with Mark O’Connor, Tony Trischka and Laurie Lewis and has performed at Carnegie Hall as a part of MacArthur Fellow/Grammy-winning bassist Edgar Meyer’s Young Artists program.
Tristan Clarridge
Raised in a tipi in the northern California mountains, Tristan Clarridge grew up immersed in the music of J.S. Bach and Texas old-time fiddling, first picking up the fiddle before the age of 2. A 5-time Grand National Fiddle Champion, 2-time Grand Masters Champion and cellist with The Bee Eaters and Crooked Still, he has also toured and recorded with many of his friends and musical heroes including Darol Anger, Brittany Haas, Keith Little, Jody Stecher, Jeremy Kittel, Hanneke Cassel, Laurie Lewis, Bruce Molsky, Natalie MacMaster, Abigail Washburn, and Sean Watkins (of Nickel Creek), and is co-founder (with sister Tashina) of the Shasta Music Summit.
Luke Price
Luke Price is a multi-instrumentalist performer, composer, and studio musician based in Portland, OR. He has his roots in American fiddling and swing traditions, which have influenced his rhythm, taste, and style as they have spread into Soul, Jazz, Pop, and Americana. Luke brings a unique voice to any music he plays, whether he’s on the fiddle, electric guitar, or singing.
Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Luke began competing in fiddle contests and playing around the country. He’s won a plethora of contests, awards, and scholarships. He is the current, and 5-time Grand National Fiddle Champion. His love for rhythm and improvisation born out of these traditional music styles led him to Boston, MA to attend The Berklee College of Music, where he met his now wife and musical partner, Rachael Price, to form their Soul Pop band, “Love, DEAN.” After graduation, they moved to Portland, OR where they continue to play, teach, and write.
Wes Westmoreland
Wes is a four time World Champion Fiddler, a seven time Texas State Champion Fiddler, a four time “TOTFA” Champion, and has finished in the “top 3 ” his last two trips to the National Fiddle Championship in Weiser, Idaho.
In 1989 Wes made the move to Branson, Missouri to play for Boxcar Willie for one year before accepting a job to play for Mel Tillis. He played for Mel for ten years. During those years he not only played shows in Branson, he also traveled with Mel and the “Statesiders” to the Grand Ol Opry in Nashville, Las Vegas, Okinawa, and all across the United States. During his stay with Mel, Wes learned to coordinate an 18-piece band and played not only first, but also second, third and fourth fiddle harmonies.
Hanneke Cassel
With a career spanning over two decades, Hanneke Cassel has helped redefine what it means to be a modern fiddler. A driving force in the ever-changing landscape of acoustic music, Hanneke blends originality and innovation with the spirit of Scottish traditional fiddle. Fusing musical roots from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton Island with Americana stylings, Hanneke’s playing has been described by the Boston Globe as “exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness.” Beyond the strings of her fiddle, it is Hanneke’s hugely generous presence and passion that round out her magnetism as a performer on the world stage of fiddle music.
Cassel’s latest album Infinite Brightness lyrically and poignantly captures a brightness that shines with sorrow-tinted joy. Written on the heels of a global pandemic and in memory of friends who’ve died in recent years, the nine compositions on this album exude Cassel’s trademark energetic playing while carrying the gravitas of loss, grief, and a sense of hope that endures. Co-produced with bandmate Keith Murphy, who plays guitar and harmonium on the album, Infinite Brightness also features Jenna Moynihan, who contributes five-string fiddle, Tristan Clarridge on cello, and guitarist Yann Falquet (heard on “Dmitri’s Dream” and “Last Alleluia”).
Ilana Katz Katz
Ilana Katz Katz is a Blues and Appalachian fiddler, singer, songwriter, novelist, screenwriter, essayist, watercolor painter, apparel artist, longtime subway busker, and budding children’s book author who strives to bring good mojo wherever she goes.
Ilana’s humble performance beginnings on Boston’s crowded subway platforms – where she played for more than a decade – unexpectedly morphed into an expanded world of performing ‘above ground.” She’s been hailed as “a star with her own blend of Blues and old-time Appalachian fiddling,” called “brilliant and soulful” by Blues master Ronnie Earl and deemed the “special sauce” to many bands.
A chance meeting with Ronnie Earl in 2013 resulted in him offering to accompany Ilana on her 2014 debut record. He subsequently showcased her in many shows. From there, her distinguished signature Blues style soon had her performing with a “who’s who” of Blues musicians around the country. Her records on Regina Royale and Vizztone Label Group garnered Living Blues charting accolades and a flurry of invitations to perform at Blues festivals. Her growing presence as a guest instrumentalist and songwriter for other artists continues to thrive and her latest endorsement as a Fishman artist helps her bring the music into the world with the best equipment possible.
She still enjoys bringing music to people – as she did in the subway. The post-pandemic environment brings her to street performing when she isn’t touring and recording. Her own brand of Blues and versatile improvisational style continues to flourish. She’s celebrated for her solo performances, as a band leader and for lending her fiddling prowess to various music ensembles. Her talents span many genres – including jazzy scat singing in sync with her fiddle – for which she is known. She’s excited about her forthcoming 2021 release, “In My Mind.”
