CelticFest Performer Bios

‘Watch him. He has the makings of a great musician’.
Catholine Butler, Celtic Connection

‘Pat Chessell has a unique style… which is definitely appealing to all music fans’.
Byron James, JRfm Country DJ

Pat Chessell, along with his talented backup band, has made quite a name for himself on the Western Canadian music scene. A native of Vancouver, BC, Pat has opened for such acts at The Town Pants and Brent Lee and has played his own shows in some of Canada’s hottest nightclubs such as The Horseshoe Tavern (Toronto), Dublin Crossing, Doolin’s Irish Pub, The Limerick Junction, The Roxy and many more. Heavily influenced by acts such as The Clancy Brothers, Pogues and Johnny Cash, he has gained a strong, loyal fanbase due to his exceptional acoustic guitar playing, warm, passionate vocals and his [often downright funny] stage presence. His voice has often been compared as a mix between Johnny Cash and Bing Crosby and many have seen that Chessell has been gifted with the ability to win over any audience – no matter where the venue might be – by providing them with an eclectic mix of Irish and Canadian folk music, making them feel like they’re sitting in a tiny pub on the coast of Donegal sipping on a beer when they may very well be sitting in a huge nightclub on a rainy Vancouver night.

In October 2007, Pat recorded his debut CD: a live album of traditional Irish pub songs recorded at Langley’s Dublin Crossing Irish Pub. The album, which was engineered and produced by Duane Keogh (Town Pants), was released in the first quarter of 2008. A single Pat recorded – Rainy Tuesday Morning – received airplay on small market stations across British Columbia and was released on a compilation put together by JRfm DJ Byron James of his favourite local roots/country acts. The compilation featured Pat's song next to songs recorded by popular British Columbia bands such as the Cruzeros, Brent Lee and Ken McCoy.

Check out his show so you could you say you knew him when…

www.patchessell.com

“A wildly energetic converge of folk tradition and rock innovation” – Cincinnati City Beat.

The Clumsy Lovers have wowed audiences in over 2,000 shows, performing in 49 states and throughout most of Canada. With a practically perpetual tour schedule and over 50,000 CD’s sold, the band remains intent on bringing its fun-loving mix of roots-minded rock and bluegrass/Celtic rave-ups to as many people as care to hear it. Band members include; Trent Freement (fiddle, vocals), Jason Homey (banjo, mandolin), Chris Jonat (bass guitar, vocals), Trevor Rogers (vocals, guitar, harmonica, percussion), Rebecca Smith (fiddle, vocals) and Tyler Thompson (drums).

www.clumsylovers.com

No strangers to the Vancouver music scene Paul Evenden, Jennie Bice and Ernie Higgins have blended their colourful talents and created a dynamic group..."Copper Sky”. Since 2002, this trio has been pleasing audiences with their lively style of music all around the Lower Mainland.

www.copperskymusic.com

Chrissy Crowley is the latest young Celtic musician to emerge from Cape Breton, Canada and she is captivating audiences with a talent that belies her youth. She is a traditional fiddler and recording artist who has recently released her debut album. Born in 1990, Chrissy lives in the beautiful Margaree area of Nova Scotia, a place known for its cherished musical culture. The music of the ceilidh resonates in the majestic mountains and peaceful valleys, incorporating not only the tunes of the Scottish Gaels but also those of the area's Irish and French-Acadians. Chrissy Crowley is one of the new generations of fiddlers. She is inspired by the traditions of artists who have gone before and has embraced the music of her Celtic roots, making it her own. Chrissy lit up our festival last year and it is great to see her back in these parts.

http://www.chrissycrowley.com

Mark Downey hails from County Meath, Ireland. Fromely a resident of Paris, France he was the front man of the Celtic confusion trio Krusty Mor and the Hotwaterbottles. While holding down four weekly residency gigs in Paris he also toured and played support gigs for the likes of Stockton’s Wing, John McSharry Band, Flook and Luka Bloom. His solo show sees Mark accompanying his voice with guitar and bodhran as he rolls and rocks through the landscape of Irish song, from the popular to the obscure, the ancient to modern, all framed with banter and storytelling.

In Vancouver Mark has played The Railway Club, Mahoney’s, Ceili’s, Johnnie Fox’s, The Welsh Community Centre and Scribes Rugby Club. His solo show can currently be seen every Thursday night at The Wolf and Hound in Kitsilano and every second Wednesday at Doolin’s on Granville Street.

“Our regular stage performers heat it up with “Crazy Celtic and Maritime Madness.”

The Halifax Wharf Rats aren't just your everyday kind of Celtic Band. Brian Flanagan, along with Michelle Carlisle, Rick Chapman and Tim Renaud are the kind of folks you'd want to invite home for a party, a barbecue or just to meet the relatives.

With lots of Celtic and of course Maritime fun stuff in store, it's always best to come early and stay late - just like they do down home.

In the Heather is a group made up of Vancouver’s best Irish session musicians. They are led by Randy Vic. Randy is a native of Thunder Bay who moved out to Vancouver in 1992 and quickly caught the Irish music bug. Primarily self-taught, Randy is a multi-instrumentalist who has been active in the Irish music scene in the Pacific Northwest for many years, performing for dancers, concerts, teaching, and hosting a long running traditional session. He has studied with such Irish music greats as James Kelly, Liz Carroll and Mick Maloney. Says Randal Bays, the director of the Friday Harbour Irish Music Camp, "Randy Vic has managed to go straight to the heart of Irish traditional music and develop a fine, lyrical style."
On this occasion Randy will be joined by fiddler Stephani Custer and guitarist Paul Hawtin.

Guitarist Paul Hawtin was born in Edmonton and spent 12 years in Vancouver before relocating to Ottawa in 2002. During his time in Vancouver, he was part of a vibrant Irish music scene that produced local favourites Cleia, of which he was a founding member, and the recording, In the Heather, which features his guitar behind the music of Stephani Custer and Randy Vic, among others. Since relocating to Ottawa, he has lent his skills to a number of recordings, including Matt Pepin's Pass It Down (www.mattpepin.com), and has performed with such luminaries as Alexis MacIsaac (Riverdance) and Irish fiddler, Patrick Ourceau.

Stephani Custer began playing violin at the age of five. She loves to play music that makes people want to dance. She has performed at the Vancouver and Mission Folk Music Festivals, the Rogue Folk Club, and at dances, pubs, and coffeehouses from Boston to Hornby Island. Stephani studied Irish styling and repertoire in North America and in 1997, spent two months travelling and fiddling in Ireland. In 2002, Stephani co-founded Dyad, a trio inspired by the ballads and instrumental music of Appalachia. Her music can be heard on Dyad’s 2004 release, who’s been here since I’ve been gone, and on the Irish CD, In The Heather, a collaboration for the benefit of Vancouver’s Portland Hotel Society.

This high-energy band delivers Celtic and Irish Pub favourites, always captivating their audiences with their engaging performances! Leader Damian, the youngest of ten, was born in Belfast N. Ireland and even as a baby was noted for his ability to make sounds! These sounds were later refined as music by teachers at the Holy Child primary school who directed and greatly encouraged Damian to pursue his musical career. Damian started with the Tin Whistle under the guidance of teachers and then was mentored by the great Gogi McCullough (all Ireland Whistle Champion). Damian then taught himself the Bodhran and guitar with vocals coming later. Damian's stage persona is always entertaining!

www.murphyslagh.com

For over a decade, Tiller’s Folly has been captivating audiences with their music, stories and smoking live shows. From the dynamic vocals, in the pocket acoustic guitar playing and classic songwriting of Bruce Coughlan, through the wild, virtuoso layers of creative colour added by award-winning multi-instrumentalist, Nolan Murray, to the solid, driving, melodic foundation laid down by bassist and vocalist, Laurence Knight, Tiller's Folly is a high-energy acoustic roots music experience like no other.

Tiller’s Folly has released an impressive catalogue of material, covering a broad palette of the finest acoustic music. Their CDs have topped sales charts and both albums and individual songs have been nominated for and received awards and distinctions. Their 2008 release “Stirring Up Ghosts" is a landmark project to commemorate the 150th anniversary of British Columbia. The aim of "Stirring up Ghosts" is to foster awareness of Pacific Northwest heritage, culture and history. It includes a 32 page booklet chock full of pictures and stories and 11 great songs including new recordings The Ghost of Simon Fraser and Down at Gassy Jack's.

Based out of Greater Vancouver, Tiller’s Folly continues to shine a unique and colorful spotlight on their Pacific Northwest home.

www.tillersfolly.com

Michael has played 6 & 12-string guitars, bodhran and sung with Vancouver Celtic stalwarts Blackthorn for many years. He has a large repertoire of Celtic songs from ballads to rousing sing-a-longs. Rosie is a classically trained violinist, teacher and assistant director of Vancouver Corelli Strings. She was lured into playing Celtic music by Blackthorn. Now it seems to have infected her Hungarian blood, and when the fiddlin’ starts, Rosie can hoe-down and dirty with the best of ‘em!

www.blackthornband.com