house concert
Friday May 3rd 2019
When two musicians find themselves compatible with each other, distance matters less. Fiddler RYAN MCKASSON, who lives in Tacoma, WA and Boston-raised singer/guitarist ERIC MCDONALD, of Montreal, Canada, are a top-notch duo that play traditional music of Scotland, Ireland and North America.
“Ryan and Eric create music together that is at once energetic, sublime, pensive, thought provoking and jubilant.” - the Celtic Music Journal
Ryan and Eric are masters of tradition. Their individual artistry is enhanced when together - in short, the sum creates a greater whole. The result is an alluring complexity which brings innovation and spontaneity to traditional forms, to create an environment of their own design that transcends boundaries and appeals to music lovers of all stripes. The music this duo creates is to share, and live performance is the forte. The two have been good friends ever since they met, and this is present in their live performances, which are full of organic banter and good humor to go along with the music. They create an environment of their own design, drawing in listeners without pretense. Despite both living active musical lives thousands of miles apart these two musicians have committed to working together to forge a new musical path.
Date: May, 3rd 2019, at 8:00pm.
Location: Private home in Bell's Corners
Suggested Donation: $20
Seating is Limited - to reserve a space email Roger at rogerandelizabeth@gmail.com you’ll receive concert location by return email.
Listen: https://www.mckassonandmcdonald.com/listen/
Please note: This event is organized independently of The Old Sod Society by the artists & Roger Williams
Eric McDonald has been a professional performer and instructor of traditional and acoustic music for a decade. The early part of his career was spent cutting his teeth as a mandolinist in the rich local folk and roots music scene in Boston MA. Later Eric attended Berklee College of Music where he studied under world renowned mandolinist & guitarist John McGann, as well as gaining a practical knowledge of music in many styles. He found himself quickly in demand as a DADGAD guitar accompanist for musicians playing traditional music, finding a particular niche in the Scottish & Cape Breton realm. Inspired by the players around him, Eric dug deeper into the genre and developed a sincere appreciation for the music of the celtic folk revival in England, Ireland and Scotland during the 1960s and 70s. In 2014 Eric re-located to Portland, ME and began a new chapter. Now well established he maintains an active touring schedule, supplemented by recording sessions and a variety of teaching endeavors.
Ryan McKasson started learning the violin at the age of 4. In 1994, he started attending Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School (VOM), where he met fiddler and teacher Alasdair Fraser, and joined a rather remarkable generation of musicians, many of whom have gone on to be notable performers and teachers.
He has gained a reputation as a performer, composer, collaborator, and teacher. In 1996 he was the youngest to win the National Scottish Fiddle Championship.
Ryan has recorded with Hanneke Cassel on her albums Silver, For Reasons Unseen, and Dot The Dragon’s Eye, and also with Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas on their album Highlander’s Farewell. Ryan has also been a member of a baroque/celtic/fusion combo, Ensemble Galilei.
Joining them as a special guest is fiddler Alex Kehler. Alex, with a background in baroque violin from McGill University, is a longtime performer of traditional Canadian & U.S. music as well as having an extensive Scandinavian repertoire. No stranger to Ottawa, he performs with Soulwood, Skye Consort and the Alex Kehler & Nicholas Williams Duo
