A True (Mac)Master of the Cape Breton fiddle

[Nathan]

Natalie MacMaster is the niece of one of Cape Breton's most celebrated veteran violin players, Buddy MacMaster. While Buddy performs the music absolutely traditionally with the deft hand of a virtuoso, Natalie is no less a master of the idiom in her own right. Natalie is an internationally acclaimed fiddler who has brought the music of her home on the small North Atlantic Island of Cape Breton to audiences around the world for many years.

This music was not invented on Cape Breton but rather, it was carefully tranplanted from the Scottish West Highlands and Islands by her forebearers and faithfully nurtured, protected and cherished down the generations.

While Natalie has one foot firmly planted in the soil of Cape Breton, she is a traveller of the world. As such, she has been willing to perform her own Cape Breton twist on other styles of fiddle music showing her absolute mastery not only the local traditional style but also over the violin generally. She's also a hell of a stepdancer and beautiful person both inside and out.

If you haven't had the pleasure, enjoy this Youtube playlist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHBha...A5EE72D33E7CF3

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

Had the pleasure in Springfield MO a few years ago. Can second everything you said - a fine lady.

[Truitt]

She visited Anchorage a few years ago. Wonderful show. Wonderful music.

[CMcG]

Yes sir, Natalie McMaster is one heck of a fiddler. I saw her once at the Edmonton Folk Festival and was doubly amazed that not only can she both step dance and fiddle, she can do them at the same time

[tulloch]

Very, very nice. Thanks for that. I start most days at my office with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcE9mXfyrgs.

Its Jennifer Roland, another Cape Breton treasure. I am getting so much joy from this music lately that I might just take up my fiddle again.