The gifted Celtic quartet Alba's Edge, under the direction of piano madman Neil Pearlman, delivers Scottish music with a heavy dose of Samba, Salsa, Funk and Jazz. Called "a sweet hybrid" in the Huffington Post and "a lively best of both worlds" by World Music Central, Alba's Edge draws on influences from jazz, funk and the music of Cuba and Brazil to infuse traditional Scottish melodies with new ideas without losing their essentially Scottish spirit. Their unique approach has earned praise from Jazz critics and World Music critics alike and appeals to an eclectic audience.
Katie McNally and Eric McDonald found each other in high school as like minded musicians in the Boston traditional music scene. Both sought to functionally push the envelope of traditional music, using original music and modern sensibilty to add new color to the familiar style of tunes that have been passed down for generations. Over the years and many impromptu musical moments, this musical relationship congealed into a cohesive unit. Now the music, while steeped heavily in the scottish tradition, is infused with influences from two diverse and educated musical backgrounds, where carefully arranged traditional pieces seamlessly give way to original compositions. Every set provides an enthralling dynamic intensity, jerking the listener's emotional chain back and forth with an ultimately satisfying blend of feeling. Having always been two of the busiest players around, these two have amassed a reputable list of experience, currently including the scottish powerhouse Cantrip (McDonald) and the fiddle supergroup Childsplay (McNally). This practiced musicianship shines in the melodic texture and murky tones that linger long after a McNally/McDonald performance.
Jam session and meet & greet to follow the performance!
Discussion
Location
St. John's Episcopal Church (View)
74 Pleasant St.
Arlington, MA 02476
United States
