Learn more about Speaker Sessions: Andrew Finn Magill on the Relationships between Irish, Scottish, and American Fiddle Styles.
Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum (in-person); YouTube (virtual)
Cost: Free and open to the public
Join us at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Tuesday, June 11, 7:00 p.m. for our monthly Speaker Sessions with musician Andrew Finn Magill on “The Relationships between Irish, Scottish, and American Fiddle Styles: An Immigration Story.” The traditional dance music of the southern US is inextricably linked with the music of Scotland and Ireland. Andrew was born in the Appalachian mountains into an Irish-American family that plays Irish music. Since his earliest memories, the fiddling traditions from both sides of the Atlantic have been ever present in his life and musical career. In this interactive presentation, we will explore how the history of Scottish and Irish immigration has influenced the evolution of traditional southern fiddling. Andrew will demonstrate various fiddle styles, bowing techniques, and repertoires, and the audience can ask questions. The performance is meant to be participatory and inspire larger conversations about immigration, identity, and Irish and Scottish music’s place in the larger tapestry of Southern culture.
Please note: For those attending virtually via YouTube, the live stream will originate on the Radio Bristol YouTube channel after 6:50pm EST. If you load the channel page before 6:50pm, and the live stream does not automatically appear, please refresh the page after 6:50pm.
About Andrew Finn Magill
For twenty years North Carolina-native violinist/fiddler Andrew Finn Magill has been pursuing parallel careers in traditional Irish music, Brazilian choro, jazz and American fiddle. Magill learned from the best fiddlers in the world at The Swannanoa Gathering and has gone on to be a performer and headliner at festivals including Celtic Connections in Glasgow Scotland, Malawi’s prestigious Lake of Stars Festival, and Milwaukee Irishfest. He is a Fulbright fellow, North Carolina Arts Council Fellow and has been featured on MTV, TEDx, and multiple times on NPR.
His 2016 album Roots (featuring Cillian Vallely of Lúnasa and John Doyle) debuted at number #46 on the folk DJ charts and he has released seven albums since resulting in a record deal with Ropeadope Records. He has performed with everyone from Grammy-nominees John Doyle and Trio Brasileiro to Rising Appalachia. In 2020 he released the EP Half Light with former Paul McKenna Bandmate Seán Gray and full-length album Murray & Magill with Scottish singer and guitar & bouzouki-player Alan Murray (Colin Farrell Band). In 2023 he released The Polaris Project on Ropeadope Records, the follow up to 2021’s Festa! on the same label, and his quartet is represented by Marsalis Mansion Artists.
“I’m gonna keep listening for Finn Magill.” ~ Grammy-winner Tim O’Brien
“It’s nice to see fresh, young musicians carrying on the traditions of Brazilian music. Finn Magill displays a love and authenticity that can fool you into thinking he is from Brazil. His style is playful and light, yet soulful and passionate. Congratulations!” ~ Airto Moreira (Miles Davis, Weather Report, Chick Corea)
“Serene and incredibly soulful, North Carolina fiddler Andrew Finn Magill encounters the tradition in a manner reminiscent of Keith Jarrett on The Melody at Night With You.” ~ The Irish Times
“Andrew Finn Magill is a leading fiddler in a new generation of musicians.” ~ BBC Folk Musician of the year Martin Hayes
“Magill’s fresh, clear tones calls to mind Stéphane Grappelli…” ~ Songlines Magazine
“The solo concert Finn gave at our Fellowship felt like traveling to other cultures and continents with an enthusiastic musical tour guide! From Ghana to Ireland to the Appalachian mountains, we got to experience an incredible variety of music exquisitely performed.” ~ Sara Davis, Music Director Miami Valley UU Church
“What sets him apart from other virtuoso violinists and fiddlers is his incredible range of musical interests”. ~Willard Watson Program & Outreach Director, Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
“He interlaced musical pieces with information on the history of Celtic music in the south, his personal journey and connection to the music, and humor.” ~ Stephenie Berggrun, CIT NC Certified Environmental Educator Schiele Museum of Natural History
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