Pierre Schryer

Pierre Schryer, one of the world's greatest fiddlers, brought his celtic quartet of virtuosi to the SunTaroTeaRoom last Wednesday, July 24 for the Montreal International Folk Festival (MIFF)'s Celtic Ceilidh. The smash opening show took place at Upstairs (www.upstairsjazz.com) on Tuesday, where the bandís variety of traditional & original material showcased Pierre's fiddle & mandolin, Joe Phillips' guitar & voice, Duncan Cameron's tin whistle, bouzouki, bodhran, guitar & voice, and Montrealer Martine Billette's piano and traditional stepdancing. Effortless, energetic, evidently ecstatic! Renowned for always having more up their sleeve, the band had a few special guests on hand. Among them, Pierre Chartrand of Rapetipetam fame, who was unable to refrain from breaking into impromptu, elaborate step dance routines. (Montreal dance troupe Rapetipetam knocked Francofolies fans flat on July 29 at 9 PM!) Also from the MIFF audience to the Francofolies stage, watch for Montreal chansonnier Thomas Hellman, whose soft-spoken charm (and good looks, of course) guarantees a beautiful show on the "Trad" stage this Friday, August 2 at 7:30 PM. The last leg of the Pierre Schryer band's current tour was at the Festival Mémoires et Racines in Joliette this past weekend. The good news is that they are back in Montreal in two short weeks for the Montreal International Celtic Festival (August 9-11; www.montrealcelticfestival.com). SunTaroTeaRoom is ecstatic that the Pierre Schryer band will headlining the MIFF main event on Saturday, August 10 at 10:30 PM!