Performers
Hey Rosetta!
Since it was formed by Tim Baker after returning home to St. John’s in 2005, Hey Rosetta! has quickly grown from a travellers suitcase full of lyrics and string parts to a critically acclaimed band hailed for their intelligent songs, powerful recordings, energized and evoking live shows. They have created a layered sound by incorporating piano, violin and cello with traditional rock instrumentation. Hey Rosetta! won three East Coast Music Awards in 2009, as well as the CMW Indie Award for Best Album, XM’s Verge Award for Best Album. more »
The Irish
Descendants
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of this renown Newfoundland band. Over the years, The Irish Descendants have garnered a loyal fan base across Canada, and captured the attention of an ever-growing international audience. The band’s award-winning recordings range from lilting ballads to toe-tapping reels, and their high energy, humorous live performances have made them a popular attraction at home and abroad. To-date, the band has sold over half a million albums. With founding member Con O’Brien (vocals/guitar) still at the helm, members of the band are Dave Panting (multi-instrumentalist, vocals), Duncan Cameron (multi-instrumentalist, vocals) and Robert Kelly (bass, vocals). more »
Amelia Curran
2010 Juno award winner, Amelia Curran is Newfoundland’s own and one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters. Curran started playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager and eventually dropped out of university in order to busk on the streets of St. John’s. That led to her first album release in 2000, and since then she hasn’t looked back with five albums to her credit. “Like the best poets, Curran packs so much meaning into each line that the listener barely has time to register each clever lyric before the next zinger comes along.” more »
Wonderful Grand
Band
Well known to many around the province and abroad, The Wonderful Grand Band is one of the most popular bands in Newfoundland history. Coming off the heels of several sold-out shows in the fall of 2009; fans can expect the same fabulous music and hilarious comedy that thrilled them years ago. Members of the band who will be at this year’s festival include:
Ron Hynes, Greg Malone, Sandy Morris, Glenn Simmons, Ian Perry, Jamie Snider and Paul “Boomer” Stamp. more »
Waterson : Carthy
This year's festival will feature performances that demonstrate how English folk traditions have helped form a basis for the unique Newfoundland and Labrador culture we all hold dear. For more than three decades Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy have been at the forefront of the English folk scene. Together with their daughter, singer and fiddle player Eliza Carthy, they are one of Britain’s most successful and influential folk families. more »
Craig Werth
Geoff Somers
David Francey was born in 1954 in Ayrshire, 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. David is joined by guitarist Craig Werth and fiddler Geoff Somers.
more »
Old Man Luedecke
Old Man Luedecke is one of Canada’s best loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters. His memorable melodies, poetic sense and easy charisma appeal to a new generation and anyone searching for new growth from old roots. more »
Archie Fisher
Master guitarist, singer and songwriter Archie Fisher is Scotland’s foremost troubadour and is known throughout Britain as the host of BBC Radio Scotland’s award-winning “Travelling Folk” show. He was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame and awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to traditional music. more »
Ennis
Karen and Maureen Ennis lead a dynamic, original group with a unique contemporary voice flavored by deep roots and traditional Newfoundland influences. Maureen and Karen are powerful, interesting and humorous story tellers with a broad mix of Maureen’s accessible original songs and uniquely interpreted tunes and ballads. more »
Rose Cousins
Since her 2006 debut release, If You Were for Me, Rose Cousins has charmed audiences throughout North America, from intimate house concerts to sharing the stage with Symphony Nova Scotia. Rose explores love and loss, longing and loneliness, and the strength of the human spirit. Her music, combined with her humorous banter, makes it customary to both laugh and cry during a live show. more »
Dwayne Côté and
Duane Andrews
Steeped in the rich musical traditions of Cape Breton and Newfoundland Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews twist their inimitable blend of East Coast Celtic and Roots music with strands of Gypsy and Jazz sounds. Heavily influenced by the brilliance of Gypsy Jazz legend Django Reinhardt, multi ECMA award-winning guitarist Duane Andrews has literally brought his music around the world from his home in Newfoundland to Tasmania, Australia with stops in between at the Newport Folk and Montreal Jazz festivals to name a few. The late great John Allan Cameron simply said it all about fiddler Dwayne Côté whom he called "the best kept secret in Celtic music”. more »
Pat & Joe Byrne and
Baxter Wareham
Hailing from the resettled Placentia Bay communities of Great Paradise and Harbour Buffett, Pat & Joe Byrne and Baxter Wareham have spent their lives singing the songs and telling the stories of the places and people of Newfoundland and Labrador. The three came together in 1983 to record Towards The Sunset, a landmark album in the folk music revival in Newfoundland. Songs like, The Government Game, The Rocks of Merasheen and Rubber Boots have become hallmarks in the local tradition. We are proud to present these fine gentlemen on the same stage for the first time in many years. more »
Matthew Hornell &
The Diamond Minds
Matthew Hornell and the Diamond Minds are among the many gems to emerge from the rich and diverse music scene of St. John's. There is something distinctively different about this folk-roots ensemble that legitimizes their name. The diverse musical backgrounds of the members lend to a raw, earthy sound accompanied by an honest naivety in Hornell's lyrics. Earlier this year, they had their song “She Only Loves Me” featured on the popular CBC Television show, “Republic of Doyle”. Members of the band are Matthew Hornell (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Jonathan Bungay (mandolin, lead guitar), Paddy Byrne (bass guitar), and Joshua Bourden (percussion). more »
Larry Foley
Band
Reading like a “who’s who” of the local music scene, we see Larry Foley, Sandy Morris, Pat Moran, Wayne Hynes, George Morgan, and Chris LeDrew combine to form the Larry Foley Band. Between them, these amazing musicians, many of whom are also well known for their solo performances, have been part of such bands as The Punters, The 8 Track Favourites, Wonderful Grand Band, Figgy Duff, Brothers in Stereo, Wonderbolt Circus, and Rasa – to name but a few! Each member of the Larry Foley Band is know for their high quality performances and musicianship. more »
The Navigators
The Navigators are Fred Jorgensen (bodhran, whistles, vocals), Arthur O’Brien (guitars, fiddle, vocals) Andrew Boulos (bass, harmony vocals) and Paul Murphy (drums and percussion). These Newfoundland musicians perform a wide variety of original songs, instrumental numbers, ballads and shanties with their own dynamic twists. Their high energy performances and solid connection with audiences have ensured that they have become a favourite at festivals and concert venues far and wide. November 2010 will mark the tenth anniversary of The Navigators. The band have released two albums, toured Canada, the US and Europe, and won a MUSICNL Award for Folk/Roots Group of the Year. more »
The Masterless
Men
Since 1991, The Masterless Men have been entertaining audiences locally and around the world. With their mixture of haunting ballads and rousing original and traditional songs and tunes, they create their own unique sound. Band members John Curran, Chuck Lewis, Dave Lush, Greg Walsh, Bob Wiseman and Perry Dawe have been featured on several radio and television programs, received numerous critical reviews and have appeared with such musical legends as Tommy Makem, Liam Clancy and Foster and Allan. The Masterless Men’s wide repertoire is enhanced by their awesome harmonies and their ability to make an audience feel that they are singing to each individual.
more »
Leroy Troy
Having acquired his first real instrument, a fiddle, when he was twelve, Leroy Troy found his first banjo at age thirteen on a junk truck at a flea market. His banjo style is the claw-hammer or frailing style, distinct from more commonly found Scruggs style banjo playing in modern bluegrass. Leroy often performs humorous or comedy songs from the old-time music genre. He debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1988 and was the U.S. National Old-Time Banjo Champion in 1996. Troy is known as "the Tennessee Slicker" and plays with the Tennessee Mafia Jugband and Marty Stuart. more »
Size2Shoes
Sons of esteemed Irish musicians Dr. Nóirín Ní Riain and Dr. Mícheál ó Súilleabháin, Eoin and Moley were always destined to ply their trade in music. On their debut release, the self titled Size2Shoes, the duo presented a unique and quirky contemporary Irish sound. The immense musical heritage of the brothers shines through in the power of their musicianship and their ability to weave stories in song. The brothers have a seemingly effortless ability to grab and hold an audience. They have recorded with Sinead O’Connor and performed with Paddy Maloney, Julie Feeney, Brian Kennedy and a host of others. more »
Solid Ground
Solid Ground bring to the stage a variety of folk and traditional songs from a diverse repertoire. Jason Whelan (bouzouki, harmony vocals), Don Walsh (guitar, harmony vocals) and Nadine Hollett (vocals) come from the ranks of such notable bands as Tickle Harbour, Plankertown Band, Red Island, The Punters and The Jason Whelan Band. They have performed with such luminaries as Paddy Keenan, Seamus Creagh, Emile Benoit and Rufus Guinchard. The trio weave a unique blend of style and delivery that promises to enliven, enchant and entertain. Jamie Snider joins the band as a special guest. more »
Chris Hennessy
Born and raised in the South of Ireland, Chris Hennessy worked for several years as an electrician to fund his musical ambitions. Eventually his talents were recognized and he became a member of the Sons Of Erin whose album of folk songs made them popular in both Ireland and Newfoundland. This gave Chris an opportunity to tour his native country as well as Canada which led him to produce his own album, Ballad Of A Sad Café. Later moving to Newfoundland, he settled into his career of playing, singing, song writing and producing music.
more »
Connemara
Connemara is a three-piece traditional Celtic group based in St. John's. Since its inception in 1992, this dynamic group has shot to the forefront of the traditional scene in Newfoundland. They have entertained all audiences across the Province, around Canada, Ireland and Norway. Performing a variety of traditional Newfoundland, Canadian Folk, Irish, Scottish, and original music, Connemara sees brothers Glen and Paul Hiscock join musical forces with Mike Hanrahan for a great selection of music performed in their own inimitable style. Renowned for their tight harmonies and instrumental prowess, this is a band that always performs at the top of their game. more »
Ray and
Greg Walsh
Ray Walsh is a founding member of the famous CBC television show All Around the Circle (1964-1975). He has produced / released six albums, has performed on numerous radio and television shows and for over forty years has been contributing to local artists’ albums and concert tours. Ray’s son, Greg Walsh, first started playing guitar to accompany his Dad's accordion playing. Now proficient on guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo, bouzouki, fiddle, bass, piano accordion, Greg is also a fine singer of traditional songs and has written and recorded several original songs with the Walsh Family Band as well as playing and recording with numerous other groups. more »
Allan Ricketts Band
Torbay native Allan Ricketts is a traditional musician and visual artist. Allan plays traditional Newfoundland and Irish songs and tunes and has developed a deeply authentic approach to this tradition. His second CD “Rivers”, released in August 2009, has garnered this young musician multi-nominations: 1. Male Artist of the Year (MusicNL awards, 2009) 2. Folk/Roots Artist/Group of the Year (MusicNL awards, 2009) 3. Folk/Roots Solo Album of the Year (ECMA, 2010) 4. Emerging Artist of the Year (25th NL Arts Awards). Joining Allan on stage at the NL Folk Festival this year are some of our Province’s best musicians: Graham Wells, Billy Sutton, Jenny Gear, Mark Neary, Kalem Mahoney, and Elliot Dicks. Each of these musicians are well-known performers in their own right and associated with bands such as The Novaks, The Fables, Chain Rock, The Monday Nights, and Jenny Gear & The Whiskey Kittens. more »
Raymond McLain
Five-time consecutive winner of the "Entertainer of the Year" at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards (after which he was retired in this category), Mike Stevens’ aggressive soulful approach to the harmonica takes audiences on an incredible journey. He has created an original, much sought after and often copied, style of playing the harmonica. Raymond McLain grew up in eastern Kentucky. He became a member of the McLain Family Band and toured more than 80 countries. Raymond has appeared hundreds of times on the Grand ‘Ole Opry Stage and his playing and approach to the banjo is legendary. Together, they create a unique musical experience both traditional and ground breaking all at once. more »
Sherman Downey
Hailing from The Codroy Valley on Newfoundland’s west coast, Sherman Downey has been catching a lot of attention on both the local and national music scenes. Constantly compared to a young Paul Simon, Sherman recently showcased at both the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and the 2010 Junos in St. John’s. His latest release, Honey for Bees, is armed with charming melodies, toe-tapping rhythms and is great representation of his ability to sing straight from his heart. more »
A Crowd of
Bold Sharemen
A Crowd of Bold Sharemen is comprised of four of the island's finest traditional musicians, all multi-instrumentalists and strong singers. They come from all parts of the province and represent the diverse musical influences in the province's rich musical heritage. The band consists of Jim Payne, one of the province's best songwriters; Fergus O'Byrne, one of our most recognizable voices; flute player Gerry Strong with his vast knowledge of traditional tunes; and noted fiddle player and actor Daniel Payne. Each is an accomplished performer in their own right, and together they provide an unbeatable musical experience. Their repertoire consists of Newfoundland & Labrador material, virtuoso playing and strong vocals with sweet harmonies and polished performances. more »
Mark Browne
Mark Browne of Marystown plays piano, guitar, and sings. He is a long-time Royal Conservatory of Music student and an award-winning participant in the Kiwanis Music Festivals. Mark performs regularly at local events and has performed at the Opening Ceremonies of the Marystown Come Home Year, the Peninsula Folk Festival, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. After several years on our Neil Murray stage for young performers this is Mark’s first appearance on the Main Stage. more »
Donna Roberts
Raised in Happy Valley-Goose Bay since the age of two, singer/songwriter, Donna Roberts is considered a true "Daughter of Labrador". Her love of “The Big Land” and the diverse cultures of the place she calls home is captured through poetic references in many of the songs she writes. Donna is a regular at many events in her local community and volunteers her talents annually to the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life and the North West River Beach Festival. In 2006, Donna launched her debut CD, Isolation Highway, and was nominated as MusicNL Country Artist of the Year. more »
Nightingale
Coming to us from Vermont, are the three superb musicians who make up Nightingale, Becky Tracy (fiddle), Jeremiah McLane (piano, accordion), and Keith Murphy (guitar, mandolin, foot percussion, vocals). They have charmed audiences with their vibrant and imaginative explorations of musical traditions that carry listeners across New England to Quebec, Newfoundland, Ireland, France, and beyond. Nightingale has fashioned a fresh and distinctive sound that is innovative while rooted in Celtic and Northern European folk traditions. From a Newfoundland ballad to a blazing set of Irish reels, from a rollicking Quebecois chanson-a-repondre to a lilting bourree from Central France, their song and tune arrangements find the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. more »
Matthew Byrne
Matthew Byrne is a traditional singer and guitarist from St. John's, NL. Born into a family of Placentia Bay music makers, his repertoire is heavily influenced by the folk music he grew up with. Matthew's live performance offers a tasteful and honest interpretation of folk music delivered with polished guitar work and powerful vocals. His repertoire leans toward ballads, many of which he performs in the unaccompanied tradition. Matthew is also influenced by a variety of contemporary folk singers such as James Keelaghan, David Francey, Archie Fisher, and James Taylor. He is currently promoting his newly released album, Ballads, produced by Billy Sutton. Drawing from a repertoire transcending geographic and temporal boundaries, Ballads offers ten original arrangements of traditional songs that collectively illustrate Matthew's passion for great stories and beautiful melodies. more »
Vishtèn
Made up of third generation Acadians living separate but parallel musical experiences, twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc from PEI have teamed up with Pascal Miousse and Louis-Charles Vigneau from the nearby Magdelen Islands to create a sound that incorporates elements of the new ways while staying true to the essential Acadian spirit of their roots. The group make their mark everywhere they play with their high voltage style, musicianship, communicative energy and an innovative approach to the distinctive music of their region. All multi-instrumentalists, arrangers and composers, Vishtèn members have become genuine cultural ambassadors. more »
Peter Narvaez
A blues musician and folklorist, Peter Narvaez has been at the forefront of blues music in Newfoundland and Labrador for over thirty-five years. Along the way he has played and recorded with some of the world’s greatest blues musicians. He has played at numerous festivals the world over and his CD, Some Good Blues, has earned him nominations as Blues Artist of the Year from Music NL and the East Coast Music Awards. more »
Crow's Nest
Song Circle
On the last Thursday of each month, people gather at the Crow’s Nest Officers Club to share or listen to songs and recitations, both traditional and contemporary, from Newfoundland and the world. The event is hosted each month by Bay Roberts native Eleanor Dawson and Linda Byrne, originally from Kingwell, Placentia Bay. Both have been strongly involved in preserving the Folk arts of Newfoundland and Labrador for many years. For this year’s folk Festival they are joined by Mount Pearl native Dave Penny and Frank Holden from St. John’s. more »
Banjo Expo
To help celebrate the Banjo this year we’ve assembled some of the best pickers to showcase the power and versatility of this fine instrument with Rik Barron (host), Mike Hanrahan, Raymond McLain and Leroy Troy. Rik Barron’s unique banjo style has caught the attention of audience members and music critics alike. He is a two-time East Coast Music Award winner and a past Canadian Music Folk Award and Indie Award nominee. Mike Hanrahan is an engaging live performer, a member of both Connemara and Middle Tickle, and a former member of the Irish Descendants, Mike brings his tremendous talent as a tenor banjo player to the Banjo Expo. Raymond McLain's bio is found here. Leroy Troy's bio is found here.
more »
Charlotte-Anne
Malischewski
Danny Mills and Charlotte-Anne Malischewski are young musicians who began playing together in Young Folks at the Hall workshop and concert series several years ago and have since been developing inventive arrangements of Newfoundland, Quebecois, and Irish tunes and songs. In January, the duo also organized and performed in a concert entitled “Old Songs for the New Year”: a show featuring traditional Newfoundland ballads and dance tunes, which was featured on CBC Radio 2 provincial program Musicraft in March and then on the national CBC program Canada Live in May. Charlotte-Anne and Danny's sound is characterized through their energetic arrangements of dance tunes using fiddle, guitar, and flute, and their thoughtful arrangements of traditional ballads and shanties. They have performed together and as solo performers at the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, the Yn Chruinnaght Festival and around St. John’s, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. more »
Camp
Vinland Music Camp offers workshops in Newfoundland and Labrador traditional music, dance and storytelling. Started in 2001 by Eric West, the Camp now includes instruction in over a dozen instruments, as well as singing, songwriting, storytelling, and folk
dancing. The Camp presently employs nine instructors, including some of the top professional artists in the province. Since 2009
Vinland Music Camp has been run by the Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to teaching and preserving our province's traditional arts. This October the Foundation will be starting Sound Traditions - a new music retreat for
adults.
more »
