Greg Boardman, Neil Pearlman to perform

New England Celtic Arts


Maine fiddle master Greg Boardman (above) and keyboard phenom Neil Pearlman (below left) will perform at Old South in Farmington Oct. 8.

Maine fiddle master Greg Boardman (above) and keyboard phenom Neil Pearlman (below left) will perform at Old South in Farmington Oct. 8.

FARMINGTON — New England Celtic Arts will present Maine master fiddler Greg Boardman and acclaimed keyboard stylist Neil Pearlman at Old South Congregational Church Thursday, Oct. 8. Curtain is 7 p.m. with a jam session starting at 6:15.

Boardman has fiddled throughout Maine and beyond since the early 1970s, learning from such Maine fiddling legends as Otto Soper, Simon St. Pierre, Leo Murphy, Alred Parent, Lucien Matthieu, Ben Guillemette and Don Roy. He has performed solo over the years and with the Northern Valley Boys, Kennebec Valley Boys, Maine Country Dance Orchestra, Canterbury Dance Orchestra, Moosetones, Old Grey Goose, Timbrel, Boardman and Sons, the Gawler Family, Michael Parent and Jessie Boardman.

 

 

As one dedicated to keeping the traditional dance music of Maine alive, Boardman is a co-founder of the East Benton Fiddlers’ Convention and the Maine Country Dance Fiddle Workshop, and is the founder of Maine Fiddle Camp. Trip to Benton is his latest of several recordings, produced this year with the help of pianist Neil Pearlman.

Pianist and mandolinist Pearlman is rapidly distinguishing himself as a uniquely innovative artist in the contemporary traditional music scene. Called “a tremendous pianist” on BBC Radio Scotland and “a force to be reckoned with” by WGBH’s Brian O’Donovan, Pearlman is recognized in many Celtic music circles for his unique approach to the piano. Rooted in traditional Cape Breton piano styles, he brings in ideas from many other genres and the result is an exciting new sound that remains true to its traditional roots. It was this fresh approach that led legendary Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland to say “watching Neil’s hands on the piano was like watching two spiders on crack!”

An accomplished Cape Breton step dancer as well, Pearlman grew up in the family band Highland Soles, led by father and mother Ed Pearlman and Laura Scott, both influential Scottish music and dance figures in the US. Neil has performed with Natalie MacMaster, Alasdair Fraser, Bruce MacGregor, Natalie Haas, Mike Block, Seamus Connolly, Kimberley Fraser, Maeve Gilchrist, Hanneke Cassel and Mike Vass, opened for Archie Fisher, split a bill with Jerry Holland and worked closely with many others. His career so far has taken him to Scotland, Spain, Mexico, Canada and all across the U.S.

Old South Church is located at 235 Maine Street in Farmington. For more information, call 491-5919. Concert ticket price is $15 for adults and $5 for students and children.

More information is available at: www.necelticarts.com.


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