December 28, 2004
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu

Natalie MacMaster, the terrific Celtic fiddler and step dancer from Canada, performs with her band at UCSB Campbell Hall

Summary Facts:

• Natalie MacMaster
• One of the most acclaimed fiddlers in Celtic music
• MacMaster hails from Cape Breton Island in Canada
• Wednesday, February 2 / 8 pm
• UCSB Campbell Hall
• General public: $35 / UCSB students: $17
• Tickets/information: UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535

Amazing fiddler and step dancer Natalie MacMaster, an icon among fans of Celtic music, performs with her band on Wednesday, February 2 at 8 pm at UCSB Campbell Hall. Hailing from Cape Breton Island, MacMaster and her music are fresh, lively and appealing. At home in both traditional and contemporary settings, MacMaster has won two Juno Awards (the Canadian Grammy) for Best Instrumental Album and several Canadian Country Music Awards for Fiddler of the Year. In concert she proves why Dirty Linen magazine calls her “one of Celtic music’s most electrifying performers” and the Los Angeles Times writes, “Natalie MacMaster is a revelation to anyone who sees her.”

Natalie MacMaster has won numerous East Coast Music Awards for her early traditional Cape Breton recordings and has taken Celtic music to new heights with albums like In My Hands, which featured elements of jazz, Latin music and guest vocals by Alison Krauss. For every contemporary album, MacMaster is quick to respond with a traditional one. Her most recent recording Blueprint pushes the boundaries of traditional music, fusing Cape Breton fiddling with the sounds of banjo, dobro and mandolin. Recorded in Nashville with producer Darol Anger, Blueprint features some of the best of America’s blue grass community, including banjo player Bela Fleck, dobro ace Jerry Douglas, mandolinist Sam Bush and bassist Edgar Meyer. (Note that Fleck and Douglas have recently been presented by Arts & Lectures while Meyer’s upcoming May recitals are already sold out.) “I gravitate to quality musicianship - that’s what I grew up with,” says MacMaster. “These musicians were a total pleasure to work with. That was the coolest part of making this record.”

On tour MacMaster will be supported by her usual dynamic band of Brad Davidge on guitar, Allan Dewar on piano, Miche Pouliot on drums, John Chiasson on bass and Mac MacIsaac on Highland bagpipes, small pipes, whistles and banjo.

On December 15 MacMaster learned she received four East Coast Music Award 2005 Nominations in the categories of Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Instrumental Recording of the Year and Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the Year. The awards will be aired throughout Canada on CBC Television on Sunday, February 20, 2005.

These nominations cap off an incredible year for MacMaster. It began with a live performance on ABC’s Good Morning America; then on St. Patrick’s Day she performed live on one of America’s best known radio programs The Don Imus Show. The winter and spring of 2004 were full of activity promoting her CD Blueprint. In May, she performed with the Boston Pops for their TV series. In June she performed at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, arguably one of the most respected Bluegrass Festivals in the USA. July saw MacMaster performing in her new hometown area of Peterborough, Ontario, while in August she traveled to western Canada to open for country superstar Faith Hill and Eagle vocalist Don Henley. Late summer and fall were a whirlwind of touring throughout Canada and the U.S. playing many festival and theatre shows.

While still fairly new to composing, the 30-year-old MacMaster is already a veteran of her instrument. She first picked up a fiddle at the age of nine and hasn’t looked back. The niece of famed Cape Breton fiddler Buddy MacMaster, Natalie quickly became a major talent in her own right. She has shared the live performance stage with acts ranging from Carlos Santana to the Chieftains, Paul Simon to Luciano Pavarotti, and dozens of world-class symphony orchestras. She’s performed on ABC Television’s New Year’s Eve broadcast at the special request of one of her greatest fans, host Peter Jennings. She’s created, financed and produced her very own nationally broadcast network TV special. Two of her CD’s have charted on Billboard’s Top 20 Selling World Music charts. Four of her previous five CD releases have been certified gold (50,000 +) in Canada.

Prior to the Santa Barbara performance on February 2, concertgoers may enhance their experience by attending a tasty buffet featuring the food of Canada’s Maritime Provinces served by the UCSB Faculty Club at 6 pm. The dinner is $18 per person; reservations must be made by January 26 by calling 805.893.3096.

Natalie MacMaster is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and sponsored by KCBX Public Radio and Borders. Tickets are $35 for the general public and $17 for UCSB students who must show valid ID at ticket purchase and the evening of the show.

For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.

Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.