Celtic Violinist Jamie Laval

Jamie Laval captures the soul of Scottish music on his fiddle, mixing his spellbinding mastery of its distinctive technique with deeply informed descriptions of an ancient musical style that was the source of much of the American folk tradition. His virtuosic performances of traditional Celtic music combine ancient village dance melodies, foot percussion, and even an uncanny imitation of Highland bagpipes to evoke the atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands. In this unusual concert, Mr. Laval will combine performance, storytelling, and a little history to make an evening’s entertainment. He will be joined by EEC’s Artistic Directors Laura Gilbert and Jonathan Bagg for two world premieres, one by himself and the other by composer Bill Bradbury, for violin, viola, and flute. Both pieces have been composed specially for this concert.

“One of North America’s finest practitioners of traditional Scottish music” (San Jose Mercury News) and “The next Alasdair Fraser” (Press & Post), Jamie Laval has appeared on the NBC Today Show, performed on Dave Matthews’ platinum album Some Devil, and gave a private performance for Her Majesty the Queen. Laval’s newest album, Murmurs and Drones, won the popular vote for “Best World Traditional Album” in the 2012 Independent Music Awards.

Currently making his home near Asheville, NC, Laval grew up in the Pacific Northwest where he received his musical training at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Laval made his living as a professional symphony musician, recording studio artist, improvising violinist, and contra dance fiddler. But his passion for the haunting sounds of rural Scottish folk music eventually usurped all other preoccupations, and he now devotes himself exclusively to Celtic music.

In 2002 Laval won the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship which helped launch his touring career which includes over 100 engagements per year throughout the U.S. and Scotland.