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MacKinnon known making emotional connections

The Harrison Festival Society presents the Maeve McKinnon Trio on Friday, March 15 in Harrison Memorial Hall.
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Maeve McKinnon Trio plays Harrison Memorial Hall on March 15.

Maeve Mackinnon is an award-winning young Gaelic singer who is on her way to becoming one of the leading Scottish folk musicians of her generation.  The Harrison Festival Society presents the Maeve McKinnon Trio on Friday, March 15 in Harrison Memorial Hall.

Singing in Gaelic and English, with a repertoire spanning traditional, contemporary and now original material, Mackinnon is renowned for the eloquent and emotional connection she forges with every song, communicated in a bewitchingly honeyed, husky, yet vibrantly earthy voice.  Even amid the wealth of gifted musicians thronging today’s Scottish folk scene, singer Maeve Mackinnon stands out as an exceptional young talent.

As one of the youngest artists whose work was honoured in the “Classic Album” series at Celtic Connections Festival 2008, Maeve has racked up a number of accolades over the last few years. Twice nominated as "Gaelic Singer of the Year" at the Scots Trad Music Awards (2011 and 2008 respectively), she was also named, “Up and Coming Artist of the year” at the 2007 Scots Trad Music Awards and a finalist in BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2005.

The release of her 2012 album Once Upon An Olive Branch was received with rave reviews.   “A stunning voice. . . surely destined for greatness” (The Herald).  “A restive, sensuous play of brightness and shade, lyrical sweetness and grittier sinew” (The Scotsman).  “Sassy, smart, beautifully arranged music. . .Maeve’s voice captivates” (Living Tradition).

MacKinnon is accompanied by guitarist Ross Martin (Daimh, Dual) and keyboardist Brian Mcalpine (The Pearlfishers, Session A9).

Tickets are $22 by phone at 604-796-3664, online at www.harrisonfestival.com or at the Ranger Station Art Gallery in Harrison, or Agassiz Shoppers Drug Mart.



Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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