When opposing forces meet, sparks fly. That’s just the case with Jennifer Roland and Irish/Scottish folk music. On the one hand a young woman. On the other an ancient tradition. Tradition needs young people to ignite it. When Jennifer touches her bow to the fiddle strings, the spark is instant. You just need to listen to her albums and you are positive that this young woman knows how to play with fire. She captures the emotional strength of the jigs & reels, strathspeys, waltzes and slow airs. Especially when it comes to slow airs, we witness each note coming from the heart, full of character and warmth. Concert-goers are always amazed and enthusiastic about one particular Cape Breton cultural speciality. Jennifer has learnt how to play the fiddle whilst step-dancing across the stage. Stepping out her own rhythm with tap shoes, there’s no need for Jennifer to take a percussionist on tour. Jennifer however goes for a big sound and tours with a drummer, guitarist, bass and piano player.

It is the first time that the Irish Folk Festival features a band from Canada and there are good reasons for it. It is about 250 years ago since Irish, Breton and Scottish immigrants who all seemed to have an instrument in their luggage came to a rural peninsula by the name of Cape Breton. It would be difficult to find another place in the world where more people per square mile play the fiddle. Cape Breton has become a sort of a “fiddler’s paradise”. Above all, here in a sleeping-beauty slumber-like Celtic culture you will find more authenticity and true origin than in many places in Europe. It was about time to feature the unique music of this secret gem and present one of the leading fiddle players on the Irish Folk Festival.

Jennifer Roland [1,20 MB]

Homepage: http://www.jenniferroland.com/