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BY DON THRASHER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Individually, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy are regarded as two of the most talented fiddle players of the modern era. When the duo, who married in October 2002, takes the stage together, well, there are hardly words to adequately describe the electricity that emerges from the step-dancing fiddle players.
You can experience the excitement for yourself when Cityfolk presents MacMaster and Leahy in concert Thursday, Feb. 4, at Victoria Theatre. The mother and father of three young children have performed together a handful of times over the past decade, but this current string of dates is the couple’s first extended tour. For these shows, they’ll be joined by a pair of pianists, Erin Leahy and MacMaster’s sideman Morin.
Here’s a little more info about this power couple of Canadian fiddle music.
Natalie MacMaster
Born: Troy, Inverness County, Nova Scotia (1972)
Role: Mother of three, solo artist
Fiddle style: Cape Breton-style established by the Scottish immigrants that settled on Canada’s Atlantic Coast
Musical debut: Age 9 ½ in Glendale, Cape Breton
Debut album: “Four on the Floor” (1988)
Latest release: “Natalie MacMaster: Live in Cape Breton” (DVD 2007)
Awards: Two Juno Awards for Best Instrumental album, 11 East Coast Music Awards and Canadian Country Music Awards for Fiddler of the Year and Entertainer of the Year
Musical relations: Uncle Buddy MacMaster and cousin Andrea Beaton
Artist info: ww.nataliemacmaster.com
Donnell Leahy
Born: Lakefield, Ontario (1968)
Role: Father of three, leader of family band, Leahy
Fiddle style: Rooted in Celtic music, but also influenced by Quebecois, European and Cape Breton fiddlers
Musical changes: Leahy, the oldest of eight performing siblings, played drums in the family Celtic band before switching to fiddle
Debut album: “Leahy” (1997)
Latest release: “Handmade” (LP 2007)
Awards: Three Juno Awards
Musical relations: Musical siblings Siobheann, Frank, Agnes, Doug, Erin, Angus and Maria are all members of Leahy
Artist info: www.leahymusic.com
CONTACT contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
how to go
WHO: Cityfolk presents Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy
WHERE: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4
COST: $21, $29, $36
MORE INFO: (937) 496-3863 or www.cityfolk.org