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Fiddlers’ Bid formed in 1991, when original fiddlers Maurice, Christopher, Kevin and the late Michael Ferrie, together with Davie Keith on piano, were students at high school.The boys were tutored by some of Shetlands most outstanding players: the late Willie Hunter, late Arthur Scott Robertson and Trevor Hunter. They would also have informal sessions, almost daily - often with their tutors - and this helped to create the rapport that exists between the fiddlers today. Steve Yarrington (Guitar) and Dave Coles (Bass) joined the band the following year, and this line-up continued until the sad death of Michael Ferrie in early 1996. Fiddler, Andrew Gifford joined the band later that year, and the Fiddlers’ Bid sound was once again complete with the addition of Catriona McKay on Scottish harp and piano, at the Shetland Folk Festival in 1997. Since then they have performed all over the UK, Europe, the USA to great acclaim and their high-energy music scored a big hit with the audiences at the Island Festival in Tasmania. They were invited to tour Australia and performed at the fabulous Sydney Opera House.
"Fiddlers' Bid was the ideal way to conclude this year's festival....the exhiliration of the music was offered to everyone." The Age, Melbourne Concert Hall, Melbourne Festival 2002
"the firecrackers...of this year's Melbourne Festival...Within two minutes of setting foot on the Concert Hall Stage, they had won over the audience...Fiddlers' Bid ooze charisma." Herald Sun, MelbouurneFestival, Melbourne Concert Hall 2002
“It’s to do with attitude and raw energy as well as their musical ability. They flick an invisible switch in people not normally moved by traditional fiddle.” Shetland Times |
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