Ashley MacIsaac

FOOT-STOMPING FIDDLER

Canadian fiddler Ashley MacIsaac picked up the fiddle at the age of nine and has never looked back. Blending hard-edged traditional Cape Breton fiddling with his own flare for experimentation, MacIsaac has delved into genres as diverse and exciting as folk, electronica, and metal. Since breaking onto the Canadian music scene in the mid-‘90s, he’s shown an uncanny ability to ensnare and entertain audiences across the globe, and his ability to morph and adapt has made him an ideal collaborator for great acts as varied as Phillip Glass, David Byrne, Paul Simon, and the White Stripes. He’s sold over half a million records and released more than 10 albums – but his appearance on the ideacity stage will prove he has no plans for slowing down.

BIOGRAPHY

Ashley MacIsaac was born in Creignish, on the western side of Cape Breton, and now lives in Windsor, Ontario.  By the time he started school, he was performing as a dancer in concerts, graduating to fiddle and piano a short time later.  Before he graduated high school, he was playing across North America, including playing and dancing in a Phillip Glass off-Broadway production.

Over the years, he has experimented with musical styles, evolving into an award-winning genre bending performer, writer, and singer who has toured and performed for sellout crowds around the world, including the 2010 Winter Olympic opening ceremonies.  Currently working a new project of Celtic Beats with Jay Andrews of Halifax (aka Sticks). His extensive catalogue is available through Linus/True North records, with the previously unreleased “Beautiful Lake Ainsle” CD with Barbara Magone set for release later this fall as well as a re-issue of his Crossover CD.

Ashley is currently working on a collection of Celtic Beats with various producers and percussion from Jay Andrews with the intent of releasing it this fall, besides the non-stop live performances with his trusted trio of Chris Babineau and Jay Andrews. Ashley recently sold out Ottawa’s NAC Theatre.

Next year Ashley, with conductor Martin MacDonald, plan on taking their Symphonic Celtic Pops show on the road, after 2 recent sold out performances with Symphony Nova Scotia, the conductor and the performer had such a good time they decided the rest of the world may enjoy hearing Ashley in this setting as well.