Saturday, May 26: James Bay Market Featured Instrumentalists Quinn Bachand & James Whittall from 10:30am-1:30pm

At just 15 years of age Victoria born Quinn Bachand already has a reputation as “one of the best Celtic guitar accompanists in the world” (Ashley MacIsaac). Although Quinn plays a range of styles including gypsy-jazz, it is his talents in the world of Celtic music that are drawing the most attention. A focused and intense musician, Quinn has the unique ability to bring out the best in each tune. Quinn adds a contemporary edge to traditional Celtic music; his hard-driving strumming, inventive chord voicing and powerful rhythmic effects make even the most well-worn tunes seem new and exciting.

In 2011 Quinn completed a three week tour of Australia, performing with MacIsaac at the Ten days on the Island Festival (Tasmania) and at Castlemaine State Festival (Melbourne). An in-demand sideman, Quinn has also accompanied such greats as BC’s Daniel Lapp, fiddle champion Pierre Schryer, and the legendary Buddy MacMaster.

James Whittall has been a professional musician, both performing and teaching, for several years. An expert at bluegrass, newgrass, and new acoustic music, he has arranged hundreds of vocal and instrumental melodies and is a main stay in bands such as Oliver Swains Big Machine, Shearwater Bluegrass Band, and the Rock Island Ramblers. Shearwater Bluegrass Band was the local M award winner for best roots\world\blues group, and was also awarded second place at the 5th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards).

James’ passion and enthusiasm for the mandolin has taken him across the country; luckily for us though, his genuine love and natural ability to share and teach Bluegrass guitar and mandolin means he is in high demand as both instructor and performer, keeping him close to his home in Victoria.

Quinn and James most recently collaborated with the incomparable Oliver Swain, as part of Oliver Swain’s Big Machine, performing distinctly unique original, traditional and contemporary pieces that blend a mix of styles including jazz, bluegrass, blues, pop & rock.

OLIVER SWAIN WILL BE FEATURING AT THE JAMES BAY MARKET SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012!!!!