Beolach biography

Beòlach, formed in 1998 by fiddlers Wendy MacIsaac (cousin of fiddler Ashley MacIsaac) and Màiri Rankin (of Rankin Family fame), pianist and keyboardist Mac Morin, guitarist Patrick Gillis and piper Ryan MacNeil, played their first live set at the Celtic Colours Festival, in Nova Scotia, that year.
Beòlach has recorded three albums: Beòlach (2001) and Variations (2004), each of which gained critical acclaim and earned nominations for East Coast Music.
Beòlach has recorded three albums: Beòlach (2001), Variations (2004), and All Hands (2019), all three of which gained critical acclaim and.

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Beòlach

Websites: http://www.beolach.com/
Origin: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Biography:

BEÒLACH is a Gaelic word meaning 'lively youth'. Beòlach is also one of Cape Breton's most exciting new young bands. The group performs an energetic mix of Cape Breton, Scottish, and Irish tunes featuring piano, pipes, whistles, guitar, and two fiddles.

Beòlach began at an impromptu session at the Celtic Colours Festival in 1998, and after a strong initial response has gone on to play festivals in North America and Europe.

The group recorded their self titled debut album in the summer of 2001 at Lakewind Sound in Point Aconi Cape Breton. The album features original compositions as well as the groups unique dynamic arrangements of their favourite traditional tunes.

Beòlach has thrilled audiences with energetic performances, witty presentation, and their versatility as stepdancers. Cape Breton tunes are removed from their usual fiddle/piano context and presented with the energy of a young six piece band. Although presenting these tunes in a contemporary style, Beòlach maintains a re

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Beòlach

Canadian instrumental folk music group

Beòlach is a Canadian traditional Celtic music group specialising in the fiddle and pipe music of their native Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, as well as Scotland and Ireland (amongst other influences). They have recorded and play both traditional and more modern tunes.^[1] Beòlach, formed in 1998 by fiddlers Wendy MacIsaac (cousin of fiddler Ashley MacIsaac) and Màiri Rankin (of Rankin Family fame), pianist and keyboardist Mac Morin, guitarist Patrick Gillis and piper Ryan MacNeil, played their first live set at the Celtic Colours Festival, in Nova Scotia, that year.^[2] The group is perhaps most noted for their 2020 album All Hands, which was nominated for Traditional Folk Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2021,^[3] and won two Canadian Folk Music Awards—for Traditional Album of the Year and Instrumental Group of the Year—at the 16th Canadian Folk Music Awards.^[4]

The band initially released the albums Beòlach in 2001 and Variations in 2004, touring extensively to support th

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Over 20 years ago, six dynamic performers came together at a late-night session during the Celtic Colours International Music Festival and sparked the creation of the award-winning band Beòlach. After a short hiatus, to great excitement, expectation, and acclaim original members Wendy MacIsaac (fiddle, piano, stepdance), Màiri Rankin (fiddle, stepdance), and Mac Morin (piano, stepdance, accordion) re-formed the group three years ago as a quartet with new member Matt MacIsaac (bagpipes, whistles, guitar). With innovative arrangements of traditional tunes, Beòlach’s energy on stage demonstrates their mastery of and passion for their musical inheritance.

The music of Cape Breton Island is largely descended from the Scottish Gaelic melodies brought over in the late 18th and early 19th centuries by settlers fleeing the forced evictions known as the Highland Clearances. Musicians have staunchly preserved and nurtured this style, which features energetic interplay between fiddle and piano, passing it to the next generation “knee-to-knee” for over 200 years. Fittingly, that’s the musical