Pierre Schryer celebrates new CD at the Grand Theatre

The Lock City Grand Theatre (641 Queen Street East) is pleased to host the 10th annual Canadian Celtic Celebration featuring the release of Pierre Schryer's new CD mélange.

The festivities kick off at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 20 with musicians from Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec joining the lineup, including Pierre Schryer (fiddle), Adam Dobres (guitar), Andy Hillhouse (guitar, vocals), Raynald Ouellet (accordion), Julie Schryer (piano), Merrie Klazek (trumpet), Ben Whiteley (bass) and Pat O'Gorman (bagpipes, flute).

Tickets are $20 for advanced general admission ($23 at the door), $15 for children and $40 for the special VIP concert package.

Tickets may be purchased at the Lock City Grand Theatre Box Office or by calling (705) 946-1500.

About Pierre Schryer

"Pierre’s music lifts the heart with its precision and proud humour. It takes you expertly by the hand on a journey through the many accents in at the heart of  the Canadian fiddle tradition." - Mícheál O Súilleabháin, Irish World Music Centre, Limerick University, Ireland

Pierre Schryer is part of the vibrant Franco-Ontarian culture of Canada and from an early age was immersed in the music and traditions of his heritage.

As a solo performer he has received numerous titles and awards including Canadian Open Fiddle Champion, Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion, Violoneux Championnat, and North American Irish Fiddle Champion.

Pierre truly captivates audiences with his energy, genuine warmth, and flawless ability in any style from Irish, Scottish and Québecois, to Canadian, American, or Swing.

Over the last decade, Pierre has released several recordings on the New Canadian Records label including the New Canadian Waltz, 2 Worlds United, Acoustique! , Heat of the Moment and Blue Drag.

Pierre's debut album, the New Canadian Waltz, was recorded live in 1995 and features his uncompromised fiddling dexterity and authentic representation of various traditional fiddle styles.

Among the many highlights of Pierre's career is the 1999 CD release of 2 Worlds United (later released for worldwide distribution on the Claddagh Records label in Dublin, Ireland.)

This duet recording combines Pierre's skillful fiddling with the talents of button accordionist, Dermot Byrne, of the Irish super-group Altan.

The result is a masterful combination of two celebrated musical traditions;  Irish and Franco-Ontarian.

The 2000 CD release of Acoustique! represents the evolution of the Pierre Schryer Band, displaying a fresh and exciting sound in Canadian fiddling and songs.

2002 marked the launch of another live album, Heat of the Moment with Pierre Schryer and Ian Clark.

The result is a wonderfully uninhibited spontaneous and joyful conversation between fiddle and guitar.

Blue Drag, the milestone album to date, was honoured with a Nomination at the 2004 JUNO Awards for best Roots & Traditional Album of the Year (Group.)

It represents the ongoing vision of Pierre Schryer Band to create sophisticated & innovative arrangements of Celtic and traditional music, while incorporating elements of gypsy swing, improvisation, and world music.

Pierre Schryer Band was officially showcased at the International Folk Alliance in Montreal in February 2005.

Since its inception in 1995, Pierre Schryer Band has gained an international reputation as one of Canada’s most well respected traditional music ensembles by touring throughout Canada, the USA, Ireland, Europe and the UK, and performed at the International Cigar Festival in Havana, Cuba with Jazz great, Jane Bunnett in 2005.

On his own, Pierre has also shared the stage with many of today’s greatest Celtic artists, and performs regularly with Quebec's Club Carrefour promoting the authentic music, dance and songs of French Canada, Ottawa's Celtic guitar wizard Ian Clark, Ireland's genius accordion player Dermot Byrne, as well Symphony Orchestras across North America.

Throughout his career Pierre has maintained a commitment to education.

Always in demand for workshops, music camps, and competition panels, Pierre enjoys sharing his experience and expertise with young fiddlers.

His compositions are featured on MelBay's publishings of both, Fiddler Magazine’s Favorites, and the Canadian Fiddle Music Vol. 2 and also on the transcription by Duncan Cameron of the 2004 JUNO Nominated Album, Blue Drag.

Pierre Schryer’s talents extend well beyond his musical abilities.

A modern “Renaissance Man,” Pierre is an accomplished luthier and watercolour artist, currently performing on one of his own violins and creating the cover art and design for his recordings.

His ambition and perseverance have led to great success in producing and directing large scale musical showcases, as well as increasing opportunities for his quickly growing record label, New Canadian Records.

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