Skye Consort & Emma Björling PLUS KONGERO

Skye Consort & Emma Björling perform a mix of traditional music from Québec, Sweden, and Norway as well as tunes from Celtic origins.

Kongero tells tales of life, with moving love songs, dramatic medieval ballads, witty ditties and spirited dances.

Date: Friday, March 8th 2019, at 8:00pm. (doors open 7:30 pm)

Location: St. Marks Church, 1606 Fisher Ave.

Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Age 16 and under: $12. HST included.

On the evening of Thursday March 7th the artists featured in this concert have independently organized singing and fiddle workshops in Ottawa.

Further information about these workshops and contact details to book directly with the artists

Skye Consort met during a La Nef project in 2017 and with the serendipitous cancellation of a flight decided to form a band.

Each musician brings their own individual interpretation to these traditions to create this extraordinary collaboration consisting of voice, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, and cittern and present an assortment of whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns and original compositions.

Skye Consort has been accompanying singers since 2000 and has recorded 5 CDs with singers such as Matthew White, Shannon Mercer and Michael Slattery

Emma Björling, on lead voice and shruti box is an award-winning Swedish singer, composer, arranger, active in the renowned Scandinavian bands Kongero and Lyy. Both bands have toured Québec and Canada numerous times and are busy in the European Folk/Trad scene.

Seán Dagher, on cittern, is the artistic director of La Nef and an active performer, arranger, and composer of music from various folk and classical music traditions.

Amanda Keesmaat, on cello, is a member of La Nef and a vibrant presence in the Montreal early music community.

Alex Kehler, on fiddle & nyckelharpa, is also a member of La Nef as well as Soulwood, The Kehler/Williams Duo and Siffleurs de Nuit

The music of Kongero is characterized by tight harmonies, inciting rhythms and the clarity of their voices. With confidence, technical skill, irresistible playfulness and brilliant arrangements, they create a unique sound that brings traditional music from the past to the present. They call this genre Swedish Folk’apella

This Swedish vocal group was formed in 2005 when the original members were attending a Nordic folk music conference. By chance they started singing together and discovered that their voices and harmonies blended perfectly. Since then they have performed at many major folk festivals and at a capella and chamber music events throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Lotta Andersson holds degrees in singing, fiddle and traditional dancing after studying at Malung Folk Music College, Falun Academy of Music and The Royal College of Music in Stockholm. In addition to Kongero she fronts the Swedish folk band Mission Melpa.

Emma Björling studied both jazz and classical music before returning to traditional roots. She conducts workshops in traditional Swedish music, writes arrangements for choirs and vocal groups and is a member of the vocal groups Lyy and Baravox.

Anna Larsson studied traditional music at Bollnäs Folk Music College, Falun Academy of Music and The Royal College of Music in Stockholm. Anna also sings in the vocal group Vanja Modigh and teaches singing and guitar, composes and performs as a soloist.

Anna Wikenius studied jazz, pop/rock and Swedish traditional music and holds degrees in voice pedagogy and ensemble teaching. She works as a voice teacher and choir leader and also sings in the Swedish folk bands Folk’avant and Trio Gawell.