The purpose of Common Ground is to explore the cultural connections between our local performers, and artists who live and work in other parts of Canada or the world. In the morning workshops and on the main stage, the artists will do what comes naturally! Play music, and chat about how their traditions and music are alike, how they differ, and how they strive to keep them alive in their respective parts of the country.

This year's theme is the founding cultures of Newfoundland and Labrador and represent the English, French, Irish, Scottish and Aboriginal influences that converged to give us our unique cultural palette.The performers participating in this program are:

Rob Murphy (Ireland)
Rob Murphy (Flute), originally from Cork in the south of Ireland, spent 19 years in Newfoundland where he was an important fixture of the traditional music scene in St. John’s, starting sessions, supporting new musicians and playing in renowned traditional groups such as TICKLE HARBOUR.  In 1999, Rob and his family returned to Ireland to settle in Cavan Town where he has become an important figure in the traditional music scene there through his session playing and as chair of the local branch of Comhaltas for several years.

Martin Donohoe (Ireland)
Martin Donohoe (Accordion) comes from Cavan Town and is well grounded in his local tradition. Inspired at a young age by the playing of Hennie Quinn and Brendan Carmichael, Martin has become a nationally recognized performer. He has travelled much of Europe and America and won many prizes for his highly creative playing. Martin is a masterful accordion player and quite apt in a variety of styles of playing. He is also well regarded as a producer and broadcaster specialising in the music of Cavan. Aside from several acclaimed solo recordings, Martin has produced important albums such as the 4 CD set, A Call from the Musical Heart of Cavan, and Seamus Faye’s Cavan’s Lilter.  

Seamus Fay (Ireland)
Seamus Fay (Lilter/Singer) is a renowned lilter of traditional music tunes and a wonderful singer with a very strong local flavour. Seamus was the first ever All Ireland Champion in lilting. In his 70s, Seamus has been a major influence on local Cavan musicians over the years and continues to be active in passing along this important tradition. A true gentleman, Seamus has amazed audiences throughout Ireland remains one of the few people practicing the rare art of lilting.

Aoife Murray (Ireland)
Aoife Murray (Singer/Lilter), the youngest of the group, is also an All Ireland Champion traditional singer and lilter. Aoife currently studies traditional music at the University of Limerick under the direction and enthusiasm of Michael O Suilleabhain.

Seamus Creagh (Ireland)
Seamus Creagh (Fiddle) is one of the most respected fiddle players in Ireland; He is originally from Westmeath, but now resides in Cork. His relaxed style has brought him to international prominence, particularly his duets with Jackie Daly and Aidan Coffey. He spent 5 years in Newfoundland (1988-93), during which he taught and played traditional music with a number of St John's musicians. He made regular appearances at the St John's Folk Club, and folk festivals. Since he has returned to live in Ireland, he has been visited by a constant stream of Newfoundland musicians.

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan (England)
This well-loved duo, and recipients of the 2003 BBC Radio Folk Award for best duo, combine highly skilful and innovative performance with accessibility, warmth and stage presence. Rarely are duos so full in sound; Nancy’s earthy and exquisite fiddle and viola playing dances with the striking rhythmic texture of James’s guitar-bouzouki, while their rich singing both as soloists and in harmony evokes the stories of the songs they choose and write. They approach their music with energy and infectious smiles. Rapid musical communication with one another and the audience makes their performance spectacular and unforgettable.    (website)

David Francey and Terry Tufts(Scotland/Ontario)
David Francey was born Scotland, where as a paper boy he got his first taste of the working life. He learned to read at an early age, and by age eleven was devouring the newspapers he delivered. This helped establish his interest in politics and world events while developing the social conscience that forms the backdrop of his songs. He was twelve when his family immigrated to Toronto and traces his love of the land, the history, and the people of his adopted country to weekend family drives exploring southern Ontario when they sang traditional Scottish tunes as they drove through the countryside. His list of achievements in the folk music industry is outstanding - consecutive JUNO awards for both Far End of Summer and Skating Rink, a Juno nomination for his fourth CD, Waking Hour, first place in the folk category of the 2004 USA Songwriting Competition for Saints and Sinners, and multiple Penguin Eggs Magazine's Album of the Year awards.  His attachment to Canadians surfaces in his songs of rail lines, farms, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. He grew to understand her people while working in Toronto train yards, the Yukon bush, and as a carpenter in the Eastern Townships.  In concert David is a singer and a storyteller who immediately establishes a personal rapport with his audience. His wry humour and astute observations combined with his poetic and openhearted songs have made him a national treasure. David is accompanied by Terry Tufts, a superb award-winning singer/songwriter in his own right, avid environmentalist, and a virtuoso finger-style guitarist who has been an instrumentalist for the likes of Tracey Prescott, Kathryn Briggs, Don Bray, Gerry Griffin, Susan Aglukark, Ian Tamblyn, Lynn Miles, The Arrogant Worms, and many more.     (David's website)   (Terry's website)

Paul Pike (Mi'kmaq Nation)
Paul is from the Mi'kmaq Nation on the island of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) and grew up in a musical family of Mi'kmaq, Irish and French ancestry.  He started playing drums at age 4 and went on to learn guitar, keyboards, bass and Native American Flute. Always a singer, he played in rock bands most of his life but always had an appreciation of other musical styles. Powwow music is one of his favorites, and he enjoys Traditional dancing.  Currently Paul is a musician and the main composer/vocalist for the band MEDICINE DREAM.  His compositions combine elements of rock with the spirit of powwow into masterpieces - heartfelt, simple and as real as possible.    (website)

Kelly Russell (Newfoundland)
Kelly Russell has been a professional musician since 1974, playing fiddle, concertina, bouzouki, mandolin, tin whistle, dulcimer & harp. An original member of such landmark groups as FIGGY DUFF, and THE WONDERFUL GRAND BAND, and THE PLANKERDOWN BAND, he also spent decades working closely with Newfoundland’s late, great fiddle masters, Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit. With these and other musicians, he has brought the unique folk music of Newfoundland to Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, the USA and across Canada. Recognizing a need to preserve the music of older performers in Newfoundland, Kelly founded Pigeon Inlet Productions in 1979 and over 30 albums have been released under this label. Kelly has taught fiddle to several hundred people, some of who are now accomplished musicians themselves, and recently published The Fiddle Music of Newfoundland & Labrador, a book of 500 fiddle tunes. As well as furthering and acting as an ambassador for Newfoundland traditional music, Kelly has also been active in preserving another the art of storytelling and recitation, as inspired by his late father, Ted Russell (creator of The Chronicles of Uncle Mose - Tales from Pigeon Inlet).     (website)

Christina Smith
Classically trained in cello, Christina has been performing since 1985 on both sides of the Atlantic (and Pacific), mostly as part of a long-running duo with Jean Hewson. Her repertoire of dance tunes, ballads, dittys and stories comes directly from the older generation of Newfoundland musicians including Emile Benoit, Rufus Guinchard, Frank Maher and Vince Collins. She is passionate about passing along the traditions, directing the STEP fiddlers, a subgroup of the Suzuki Talent Education Programme of St. John’s; teaching a full slate of students during the year and at workshops and folk music camps; and recently producing music books. Intending to revive reviving popularity of old dance tunes, Christina just published The Easiest Dance Tunes from Newfoundland and Labrador for fiddle, mandolin, tenor banjo, accordion and guitar. Christina has recorded on several critically-acclaimed albums including her own solo album (Fiddle Me This), Like Ducks and August Gale with Jean Hewson, Mahervelous! with THE MAHERS BAHERS, and on numerous CDs as a studio musician.   (website)