About the Island / Locals Know Blog / Arts, Culture & Heritage

Pick A Tune, Any Tune

Celtic Colours has been blessed over the years to host some of the very best guitar players in the world. The annual Guitar Summit concert serves as an obvious showcase for these world-class pickers, but this wealth of talent inevitably shines through in concerts throughout each Festival.

Guitar Jigs: Shenandoah (Traditional) / The Chorus Jig (Traditional) / Q Jig (J.P. Cormier)

J.P. Cormier is well-established as a master of stringed instruments, although he is probably best-known for his guitar-playing. As well-versed in the Bluegrass tradition as he is in the traditional Celtic world, he spent 10 years playing around the Southern states, including many appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. Here we see some evidence of this as J.P. seemingly effortlessly picks out some tunes during Ricky’s Rattlin’ Roarin’ Roots at Centre 200 in Sydney (10/17/15).

Featuring: J.P. Cormier

Slán le Máigh / Tiocfaidh Tu Abhaile Liom (Traditional)

Scottish guitar-player Tony McManus was one of the first Celtic Colours Artists in Residence in 2001 (with Mary Jane Lamond). He has performed at the Festival seven times since his first appearance in 1998. With this set of traditional tunes, recorded at a sold-out Louisbourg Playhouse during the Louisbourg Crossroads concert (10/15/14), Tony once again confirms his world-wide reputation as an acoustic guitar player with few peers.

Featuring: Tony McManus

Gaelic Air and Reels: Chùir I Glùin Air A’ Bhodaich [She Put Her Knee On The Old Man] (Traditional) / A Taste Of The Gaelic (Traditional)

A musician of many talents, Paul MacDonald has traveled throughout traditional music circles both at home on Cape Breton Island and abroad. Here the accomplished guitar-player picks his way through a tasty selection of Gaelic airs and reels with the legendary Brenda Stubbert on the piano during Tunes from the Northside at the beautiful St. Matthew Wesley United Church in North Sydney (10/9/17).

Featuring: Paul MacDonald with Brenda Stubbert

About the Author

Celtic Colours International Festival

For nine days each October, Cape Breton Island comes alive with music and dance as the Celtic Colours International Festival celebrates the Island’s rich cultural legacy.

Related posts...

Exploring the Island, on the Island

My name is Riley Beaton and I am from Mabou, Cape Breton Island. I’ve always had a deep passion for adventure, the outdoors, and photography so getting to explore hidden gems on the Island that I...

5 Minute Read

5 Places To Strap On Your Skis on Cape Breton Island

Calling all Skiing enthusiasts! We just picked up our winter passes and are ready to strap on the skis and hit the slopes at these 5 fun places.

2 Minute Read

Winter Gem – Chasing Frozen Waterfalls

Waterfalls are one of the natural wonders that remain epic to even the casual adventurer. Cape Breton Island has an awe-inspiring variety of waterfalls that will leave you wanting to search for more!

2 Minute Read

Unlock the Island’s Best-Kept Secrets

Get seasonal itineraries, local tips and member-only offers, straight from Cape Breton insiders to your inbox once a month.

No spam, just wanderlust fuel. Free departure anytime.

Subscribe Now