Skye Consort & Emma Björling | Cécilia
50/50 Draw
We appreciate your help!
THURS
PM
MEL LEHAN HALL AT ST. JAMES i
3214 West 10th Ave, Kitsilano
Accessible 
All ages
This event has already taken place.
Skye Consort & Emma Björling
Skye Consort & Emma Björling find enchanting stories and melodies, then bring them into the 21st century with worldly chamber-folk settings. Skye Consort & Emma Björling perform trans-Atlantic arrangements of songs & tunes from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, England, Québec, Acadia, the USA, as well as original compositions. Each musician brings their own individual interpretation to these traditions to create this extraordinary collaboration, consisting of voices, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion. An assortment of whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions
Skye Consort and Emma met during a La Nef project in Montréal in October 2017. At the end of the project a huge storm in Iceland cancelled all of the flights from North America to Europe. Emma and the members of Skye Consort spent the next several days listening to tunes, jamming, and joking about starting a band. By the time Emma went home to Sweden, the band had actually been started!
Emma Björling (lead voice, percussion & shruti box) is an award-winning Swedish singer, composer, and arranger, active in the renowned Scandinavian bands Kongero and Lyy. She has toured the world with numerous bands and stays busy on the European folk/trad scene. Emma is a board member of NASC (North Atlantic Song Community) and conducts workshops all over the world.
Seán Dagher (lead voice, Irish bouzouki & banjo) is an active performer, arranger, and composer of music from various folk and classical music traditions. He plays with The Swindlers, The Reese Witherspoons, and Gairloch, and is co-artistic director of La Nef. Seán is the curator of the Zone Musique Place d'Armes summer music series and has provided music for video games including the Assassin's Creed series. You might have heard him singing on Black Flag and the others.
Amanda Keesmaat (cello & vocals) is a vibrant presence in the Montréal early music community. She has recorded and performed with many prominent singers, instrumental soloists, and renowned ensembles. She is the founder of Space Time Continuo and a regular collaborator with La Nef. She has toured extensively in North and South America and in Europe.
Simon Alexandre (fiddle, nyckelharpa & vocals) is an accomplished chamber musician and orchestral violinist. He plays with the Ximenez String Quartet and is a member of the Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec. At age 17, he moved to Sweden to study nyckelharpa. He plays in the violin, nyckelharpa, and Hardanger fiddle in the folk duo La Traverse.
Cécilia
Traditional music that causes a wonderful stir and fills to overflowing every venue – that is Cécilia! Widely recognized as three of Canada's finest musicians, it is a pleasure to see how much enjoyment Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, and Louis Schryer find in playing together. While honouring their heritage as Cécilia, their music making has an undeniably fresh and high-spirited sound.
They bring the best of many musical worlds together in their explorations of traditional, Celtic and Quebecois music. Every one of their pieces is skillfully arranged and highlighted with influences from contemporary, classical, jazz and swing styles. Cécilia's recent debut album Accent is an impressive offering full of vibrant rhythms and melodies, all resonating with a unique warmth and richness of expression.
Multi-award winning Canadian champion Louis Schryer stands out as one of this generation's most respected and sought-after fiddle players. He is both the only 8-time Canadian Fiddle Champion and the only artist to hold the title of 4-time Grand Masters Fiddle Champion. Erin Leahy has earned a reputation for her exceptional talent and versatility ss a member of the internationally renowned Canadian band Leahy. She is a powerhouse on the piano, playing traditional, Celtic, ragtime, classical, and jazz-influenced music. Erin also plays violin with the same command and musicality. Around the world, Timi Turmel is considered a master of the accordion. From a young age, he began performing on stages and in many important competitions throughout Quebec and the United States. Crowned Quebecois Champion for three consecutive years, Timi went on to join Mackinaw, the distinguished Quebecois company of traditional dance.
Each performance by Cécilia is a call to come out and share – not only in the joy of three dedicated musicians making music together but also in creating a unique and memorable musical experience. You'll find yourself with a smile that lasts long after the final notes have melted away.
The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great Sponsorship Opportunities for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. Find out more here, or simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com