Roy Johnstone, MusicianAbout Roy Johnstone
"One of the Island's most accomplished fiddlers " Doug Gallant, the Guardian
Roy Johnstone has been active in the East Coast musical community for the past thirty years. Not only is he one of the most accomplished fiddle players in Atlantic Canada but he has also received accolades for both his music compositions and his studio production. He is an active recording artist and has 4 solo albums to his credit for which he has multiple nominations for ECMA awards. His most recent CD, entitled "Longshore Drift" with Steve Sharratt was released in the fall of 2008 and he recently re-released in digital format his ECMA nominated recording Rolling Waves.
His music has also been featured in award winning NFB and independent film productions and he has been invited to perform with many of the region's most noted artists such as J.P. Cormier, Laura Smith, Lennie Gallant and jazz pianist Doug Riley. The Highland Council of Scotland commissioned Roy to write music to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Scottish settlers coming to Prince Edward Island. This music is featured in a new international recording entitled An-t Eilean, the Island.
His musical career has taken him to Iceland, Scotland, Mexico, Cuba, and the United States. He was presented with a Government of PEI Official Musical Ambassador award and he is often requested to highlight many dignitary events such as the recent Governor General's visit to Charlottetown, two Royal Visits, a Canadian Trade Mission to Iceland, Maritime tourism promotion to New England, a Maritime Premiers Conference and an Ireland Trade Commission in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Roy and Steve First utube video
Check out roy and steve's first u-tube video:
A marriage of a Acadian tune, le Mois de Mais, an Irish hornpipe the Rights of Man and the same tune as a reel.
It was filmed at our concert at the beautiful Skye Theatre in Maine . Thanks to Chris Buschmann for use of the video footage (Videos Close to Home) and thanks to Phil McIntyre for inviting us to perform at the Skye theatre.
Highland Storm Show "Gael'" at college of piping and celtic arts in Summerside, PEI
A show you don't want to miss. The best piping, drumming, singing and dancing on the Island featuring the college of piping staff and students with special guests singer Leah and fiddler Roy Johnstone and pianist and drummer Brad Fremlin. Performances every tuesday, wednesday and thursday all summer.
For tickets and info see http://www.collegeofpiping.com/index.php
phone college of piping toll free: 1-877-224-7473
First Old triangle Session
A few of the players from the first session at the Old triangle in Charlottetown. There were some Irish set dancers there as well. It was "great grac". Photo by Nollaigh
Back to the landers (1970's "Hippies" move to the Island)
PhD Candidate Ryan O'Connor has created an informative and entertaining web site with interviews about "back to the landers" who moved to Prince Edward Island in the 1970's. I was one of them! Engaging interviews and a overview narrative. The site uses George Zimble's fine photographs to highlight and complement the stories. Check it out.
The url is http://niche.uwo.ca/backtotheisland.
New Feature: Music tracks for Download
For less than the price of a cup of coffee ( $.99) you can download one of my tunes . CD downloads are half the price ( $9.99) of a hard copy CD. All you need is a credit card or pay pal account. Check out the recording section for a listing of all the tunes. I will be posting many more tunes as soon as they are recorded. You can be the first to hear them.
I've also added a "music scores" section which contains free pdf downloads of several of my original compositions and added some new photos and updated press info to my bio section.
There's two informative CBC audio interviews also posted that give more background to my musical career and my latest collaborations with Steve Sharratt.
CBC Atlantic Airwaves Feature
Glenn Meisner, the producer for CBC Radio show Atlantic Airwaves interviews Roy and Steve about their new CD Longshore Drift and asks about their approach to composing music and to the relationships between contemporary and traditional music.
- Download audio file
- 3083 downloads
- 109 plays
Longshore Drift Nominated for Two PEI Music Awards
Roy and steve were very pleased to receive two PEI Music Award nominations for their new CD Longshore Drift. The CD was nominated for best instrumental and for best traditional group.
CBC Mainstreet Interview, October 2008
Roy and Steve were interviewed by Matthew Rainnie on Mainstreet, CBC Radio One afternoon program in Prince Edward Island.
- Download audio file
- 2779 downloads
- 71 plays
Longshore Drift Press Release
JOHNSTONE AND SHARRATT RELEASE NEW CD
Roy Johnstone and Steve Sharratt will release their long-awaited recording Longshore Drift at a launch party in early October. This new CD, dedicated to the memory of Island fiddlers James
Banks, Yvon Bourque and David Baglole, reflects the respect that both Johnstone and Sharratt have for carrying on traditions of the past. “It’s a contemporary exploration of some traditional
Roy and Steve Invited back to 2010 New Hampshire Highland Games
A rare moment (me singing) in one of our many performances at the Governor's Lodge in Loon Mountain . photo by Don Clark
Roy and Steve were featured artists at the 2009 NHHG's along with Alistair Fraser, Hot Chili Pipers, Malinky and others. They have been invited back to celebrate the 35 th anniversary of the New Hampshire Highland games. Over 30,000 people attend the weekend festival.
Fiddle Workshop, Chester, NH
Roy will be conducting a fiddle workshop near Chester , NH. at Sue and Phil's house at 19 Deep Hole Road in Chester, NH. For more info contact Sue Cassista (see below)
The workshop is 1 to 4 pm, fee is $20. date saturday, october 16
This will be an open level workshop intended to take your playing to the next level. The integration of mind/body and new theories on learning will be explored as well as topics that focus on specific stylistic elements related to bowing and fingering that will improve intonation and ease and speed of playing. Some new tunes will be introduced as well as a review of some of those tunes from last year.
Here's a little note from Sue re workshop location.
We live in a beautiful old renovated barn which is a perfect setting for a music workshop . We are located about 10 minutes from Derry Center in Chester, NH. .phone contact for Sue - 603-233-6200 and Phil - 603-943-1320
and a note from a student
If you’ve never had the opportunity to see Roy Johnstone in concert or attend his past workshops, you should seriously consider attending this. I’ve done both – workshops and concerts. He’s phenomenal!!! His workshops are relaxed, informative and fun. All levels of musicians will benefit.
Sharon
For more information on this wonderful fiddler with "the heart of a poet, the spirit of an adventurer, and plays like the devil" (Atlantic Gig Magazine), check out www.royjohnstone.com
Please RSVP at gscmusic@aol.com or call Sue at (603)233-6200. or Gary Hume ( 603-679-5795 ) with questions about this workshop.
New Friends at the NFL festival
Bretagne fiddler Chistian Lemaitre, legendary singer and musician Andy Irvine, singer and musician James Fagan and yourstruly share a pint at the Newfoundland labrador festival. Despite all the rain "a great crac " it was.
Passing on the tradition
A session group of Island musicians lead by Roy at the Benevolent Irish Hall for an evening of passing on traditional music.
