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ENLARGE
Master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser's dynamic fiddling, engaging stage presence, and deep understanding of Scotland's music have created a constant and international demand for his solo appearances and concerts with a variety of ensembles.
Fraser's richly expressive playing transports listeners across a broad musical spectrum, ranging from haunting laments from the Gaelic tradition to classically-styled airs, raucous dance tunes, and improvisations based on traditional themes. His vast repertoire spans several centuries of Scottish music and includes his own compositions, which blend a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition with cutting-edge musical explorations. He weaves through his performances a warm and witty narrative, drawing from a deep well of stories and lore surrounding Scotland's musical heritage.
Fraser has been featured on more than 100 television and radio shows in the United Kingdom and the United States.
His film credits include solo performances on the soundtracks of several major films, including The Last of the Mohicans and Titanic. He has also released several critically acclaimed albums.
Fraser performs in concert as a soloist; with pianist Paul Machlis; with Scottish guitarist Tony McManus; with cellist Natalie Haas and with his band Skyedance, which features new music arranged for fiddle, pipes, flute, keyboards and percussion. In great demand as a dance musician, Fraser plays for Scottish country dancing with pianist Muriel Johnstone. He also directs the 100-member San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers orchestra.
Vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas is already a seasoned performer, recording artist, and teacher. She has joined master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser for festival and concert appearances in Scotland, Spain, France, and throughout the U.S., including Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C.
“People may be familiar with the gorgeous, melodic cello sound,” said Fraser, “but they're surprised to learn that the cello is used to comprise the rhythm section in Scottish dance bands. Natalie Haas unleashes textures and deep, powerful rhythms that drive fiddle tunes. We can ‘duck and dive' around each other, swap melody and harmony lines, and improvise on each other's rhythmic riffs. She has such a great sense of exploration and excitement for the music; it's a joy to play with her!”
Hass and Fraser's duo release, “Fire & Grace” was awarded the Best Album of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004.
A California native, Natalie has also toured extensively with Mark O'Connor as a member of his Appalachia Waltz Trio. The trio released a live CD, Crossing Bridges, to rave reviews in November 2004. She and O'Connor premiered his double concerto for violin and cello, “For The Heroes,” with the Grand Rapids, East Texas, and San Diego Symphonies. Natalie has also performed and recorded with fiddler Natalie MacMaster and Irish super-group Solas. She teaches privately, in a workshop setting, at various fiddle camps, and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Fraser kicks off New Year with all day community music workshop
To Scots worldwide, the turning of the year is defined by the celebration of Hogmanay, with communities gathering to reflect on the past year and gather steam for the next one. Following his early December performances in Northern California, Scots fiddler Alasdair Fraser will be taking a month off from a hectic touring schedule, inserting just one unique public engagement into his battery-recharging time at home on the San Juan Ridge.
On Jan. 3, 2010, Alasdair will lead his second annual community music workshop and gathering at the Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street in Nevada City, welcoming string players, guitarists, woodwinds, harpists, and keyboard players to join him in kicking off the new year. The event, sponsored by Sierra Fiddle Camp and underwritten by Sierra Fiddle Camp Village Fund, is an all-day exploration of playing music in an ensemble, drawing on influences and the repertoire of the Scottish fiddle idiom.
The workshop will be held Sunday, Jan. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by an open jam session. Tunes will be taught by ear. Teaching will be geared to intermediate to advance players, though people of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate at their own level. The workshop fee for advance registration is $50 for adults, $30 for youth 18 and younger; at the door it's $60 for adults and $35 for youth. Lunch is included. To register online, go to www.sierrafiddlecamp.org. For more information call (530) 477-2112 or e-mail fiddlevillage@att.net.
Alasdair Fraser has inspired and encouraged countless aspiring and accomplished musicians through his summer courses, including Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School (since 1984), Crisol de Cuerda in Spain, his July fiddle course at Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College in Scotland, and locally, Alasdair Fraser's Sierra Fiddle Camp, which will be held June 12 to 20, 2010. For more information, go online to www.alasdairfraser.com.
Fraser's richly expressive playing transports listeners across a broad musical spectrum, ranging from haunting laments from the Gaelic tradition to classically-styled airs, raucous dance tunes, and improvisations based on traditional themes. His vast repertoire spans several centuries of Scottish music and includes his own compositions, which blend a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition with cutting-edge musical explorations. He weaves through his performances a warm and witty narrative, drawing from a deep well of stories and lore surrounding Scotland's musical heritage.
Fraser has been featured on more than 100 television and radio shows in the United Kingdom and the United States.
His film credits include solo performances on the soundtracks of several major films, including The Last of the Mohicans and Titanic. He has also released several critically acclaimed albums.
Fraser performs in concert as a soloist; with pianist Paul Machlis; with Scottish guitarist Tony McManus; with cellist Natalie Haas and with his band Skyedance, which features new music arranged for fiddle, pipes, flute, keyboards and percussion. In great demand as a dance musician, Fraser plays for Scottish country dancing with pianist Muriel Johnstone. He also directs the 100-member San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers orchestra.
Vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas is already a seasoned performer, recording artist, and teacher. She has joined master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser for festival and concert appearances in Scotland, Spain, France, and throughout the U.S., including Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C.
“People may be familiar with the gorgeous, melodic cello sound,” said Fraser, “but they're surprised to learn that the cello is used to comprise the rhythm section in Scottish dance bands. Natalie Haas unleashes textures and deep, powerful rhythms that drive fiddle tunes. We can ‘duck and dive' around each other, swap melody and harmony lines, and improvise on each other's rhythmic riffs. She has such a great sense of exploration and excitement for the music; it's a joy to play with her!”
Hass and Fraser's duo release, “Fire & Grace” was awarded the Best Album of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004.
A California native, Natalie has also toured extensively with Mark O'Connor as a member of his Appalachia Waltz Trio. The trio released a live CD, Crossing Bridges, to rave reviews in November 2004. She and O'Connor premiered his double concerto for violin and cello, “For The Heroes,” with the Grand Rapids, East Texas, and San Diego Symphonies. Natalie has also performed and recorded with fiddler Natalie MacMaster and Irish super-group Solas. She teaches privately, in a workshop setting, at various fiddle camps, and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Fraser kicks off New Year with all day community music workshop
To Scots worldwide, the turning of the year is defined by the celebration of Hogmanay, with communities gathering to reflect on the past year and gather steam for the next one. Following his early December performances in Northern California, Scots fiddler Alasdair Fraser will be taking a month off from a hectic touring schedule, inserting just one unique public engagement into his battery-recharging time at home on the San Juan Ridge.
On Jan. 3, 2010, Alasdair will lead his second annual community music workshop and gathering at the Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street in Nevada City, welcoming string players, guitarists, woodwinds, harpists, and keyboard players to join him in kicking off the new year. The event, sponsored by Sierra Fiddle Camp and underwritten by Sierra Fiddle Camp Village Fund, is an all-day exploration of playing music in an ensemble, drawing on influences and the repertoire of the Scottish fiddle idiom.
The workshop will be held Sunday, Jan. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by an open jam session. Tunes will be taught by ear. Teaching will be geared to intermediate to advance players, though people of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate at their own level. The workshop fee for advance registration is $50 for adults, $30 for youth 18 and younger; at the door it's $60 for adults and $35 for youth. Lunch is included. To register online, go to www.sierrafiddlecamp.org. For more information call (530) 477-2112 or e-mail fiddlevillage@att.net.
Alasdair Fraser has inspired and encouraged countless aspiring and accomplished musicians through his summer courses, including Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School (since 1984), Crisol de Cuerda in Spain, his July fiddle course at Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College in Scotland, and locally, Alasdair Fraser's Sierra Fiddle Camp, which will be held June 12 to 20, 2010. For more information, go online to www.alasdairfraser.com.
Know and Go
Who: Strings Concerts presents
What: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas – Fiddle & Cello; Fire & Grace When: 7:30 p.m. tonight Where: The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main Street, Grass Valley Tickets: Reserved seats $20 in advance, $23 at the door; tickets available at The Center Box Office, (530) 274-8384 ext. 14 and BriarPatch, (530) 272-5333 Info: www.stringsconcerts.com |
