The bagpiping MacKenzie’s of Cape Breton

Now for something else. Cape Breton infused highland bagpipes that takes piping to a new place. Well worth a listen. Angus, Kenneth and Calum MacKenzie from Mabou in Cape Breton playing at the  Ceolas concert at Celtic Connections 2012. A CD from the band Seudan featuring Calum MacCrimmon, Angus MacKenzie, Fin Moore, and Angus Nicolson …

Bagpipe and string quartet:Song of the Yellow Jessamine

This composition by Janette Montague, for bagpipe and string quartet is in Primary Piobaireachd Form, and was inspired by a discussion with Bob Rogers (Bob Dunsire Discussion Forums) of South Carolina. The Yellow Jessamine is one of the emblems of that State. Piobaireachd is traditionally played on a solo bagpipe. It is essentially a Theme …

Bagpiping for summer weddings, parades and competitions in Vancouver

  “I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June.” The words of Prince Edward Island author Lucy Maud Montgomery rang true this past weekend in British Columbia. While it may not be June, May in the Lower Mainland of BC has many comparisons to June in …

Banning bagpipes, bongos, drums and tambourines on Vancouver streets

My former news colleague Ian Bailey, who I’m sure has an ear for traditional music from his reporting days in St. John’s, Newfoundland, has written an interesting story with the discovery that the City of Vancouver engineering department intends to ban the playing of bagpipes (and bongos, drums and tambourines) from the streets of Vancouver. …

St. Patrick’s Day parade in Vancouver – bagpipers and dancers.

It was a bit cool, but the rain held off. And at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Vancouver, the bands, floats, Irish, Highland and even the normally annoying Morris dancers made for a wonderful parade through the downtown. Our band could not muster enough pipers and drummers due to spring break  and family commitments, …

Cape Breton bagpiping in Port Townsend, Washington

Here`s a nice example of Cape Breton piping in the far west. Barry Shears, a well known piper, judge and bagpipe historian from Nova Scotia, performing outside the `Wandering Angus`store in Port Townsend, Washington State. Barry was teaching at the springtime Féis Shiàtail (Seattle Festival) along with Cape Breton fiddler-step dancer Andrea Beaton. This set …

Madonna says ‘bend reality’ and learn bagpipes in six weeks

The Material Girl may have talent, but does she have any sense? Despite the rants of Elton John’s husband Canadian David Furnish, you have to give Madonna credit for her creativity and energy. But suggesting someone can learn the bagpipes in six weeks may be a bit of a stretch. Recently, British actor James D’Arcy …