Peoples & Holland in Concert Of Scottish Fiddle Music 

Two legends of fiddling, Tommy Peoples and Jerry Holland, will perform together in a special concert Sunday, April 29 at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Church in Montpelier.

Peoples, a revered figure in the world of traditional Irish music, will be joined by Holland, the master Cape Breton fiddler who has become familiar to many Vermonters through his frequent visits to this area to teach and perform. This concert is of particular interest because both fiddlers play music in traditions that have been influenced by the music of Scotland.

Peoples was raised in Ireland’s County Donegal, an area whose musical style and repertoire were shaped by close economic ties to Scotland, and the music of Cape Breton reflects the island’s history of immigration from the highlands and islands of Scotland. He first came to wide attention during his years with The Bothy Band, the most prominent group in Irish music’s 1970s renaissance. His solo recordings and collaborations with other eminent musicians, such as Matt Molloy and Paul Brady, established his reputation for fiery, intricate playing, distinctive rhythm, and an unmistakably individual sound.

Holland heard the greats of Cape Breton fiddling from the time he was a child, and was performing by the age of six. He is renowned as a performer, teacher, and composer of new tunes in the Cape Breton tradition, many of which have become popular mainstays in the repertoire. His numerous recordings are a treasure trove of traditional and original tunes. His many trips to Vermont have helped to create a local cadre of fiddlers devoted to the Cape Breton style.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Vermont Violins in Montpelier, or by calling Beth Telford at 728-6351.

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