. The group performs an energetic mix of Cape Breton, Scottish, and Irish Tunes featuring piano, pipes, whistles, drums, guitar and two fiddles. Meet the band: Patrick Gillis-hails from Scotttsville & grew up with music in his home. He is an accomplished guitar player and has toured with Cuillin, Ashley MacIsaac, Natalie MacMaster and Glenn Graham. He performed at many festivals throughout Canada, United States and the UK.
Mairi Rankin-comes from Mabou, Cape Breton. She's 23 and has been playing the fiddle & stepdancing since she was 15. Her extraordinary talent and magical stage presence have audiences in awe of her performances. She has performed with Cuillin, Natalie, Mary Jane Lamond and Ashley. She also does acting and has also released a solo recording.
Mac Morin-is a dancer and is a piano and keyboard player. He hails from Troy, Cape Breton. He comes from several generations of stepdancers. He is noted for his exceptional piano playing and has acompanied many famous fiddlers, namely, Rodney macDonald, Glen Graham, Howie MacDonald, Jackie Dunn, Wendy MacIsaac, Buddy MacMaster, Natalie MacMaster and others.
Matthew Foulds-is a professional musician for over 10 years and an industry manager for two. He has been involved in many different aspects and forms of music. He writes for music publications as well. He has performed with many Cape Breton artists and now he performs with Beolach as the drummer and does percussion.
Wendy MacIsaac- is considered as one of the fiddler/pianists in Cape Breton and is in great demand for dances & festivals. Beginning her career at age four, she has performed in many countries such as, across Canada, United States, UK, Europe and Brazil. She also performed with many acts such as, The Barra MacNeils, The Chieftains, Ashley MacIsaac, The Cape Breton Summertime Revue and many others. She has also recorded two solo albums.
Ryan J. MacNeil- is Rita MacNeils nephew and plays Border pipes and whistles with the band. He is known for his powerful yet graceful style of playing. He has performed with Rita on the road and on her television shows. He teaches whistles & pipes as well. He is a true master at blending many different techniques into one blazing and very impresive sound.
So this is the band who have recently introduced their debut self-titled CD, which is reviewed on this website. For more information regarding this band, check their above posted website address.
Bulletin - Dec 2002:
Beolach has been nominated for an ECMA 2003 Music Award. They are nominated for Roots Traditional Group of The Year. Congratulations from Atlantic Seabreeze-Toronto.
They will be performing twice at ECMA 2003-The Sneak Peak Stage on Feb 14-7:30 and in The Roots Room on Feb 15 at 5:30 pm.
They will be performing at the RED SHOE in MABOU, CAPE BRETON on December 28th.