The Davidson Brothers are regarded as the driving force in Bluegrass music in Australia. In this workshop they will describe the history and evolution of bluegrass music and demonstrate the playing of the various instruments in that style and how they fit together in an ensemble. Current trends in bluegrass will also be explored.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcus began playing the violin at the age of eight and spent his formative years playing classical music with the Canberra Youth Orchestra. Moving to Sydney in 1979 to study jazz at the NSW Conservatorium, Marcus quickly became the city's premier fiddle session player, recording well over 400 award winning records, films and jingles working with the cream of the contemporary music scene. Over the years he also picked up skills as composer, producer and recording engineer. In 1996, together with a number of other legendary fiddlers, Marcus formed a fiddle ‘super-group, originally called the “Fiddlers Festival”, since renamed “Fiddlers Feast”. So, with this broad background in classical, jazz, rock and folk styles and wealth of experience composing, arranging, producing, and accompanying, Marcus is well placed to pass onto buddling fiddle players some tips and techniques in both improvising and arranging tunes for fiddle. Participants should have at least an intermediate level of playing to gain the most from this workshop.

 

 

Suzanne Milligan is an accomplished percussionist, whistle and piano player who is performing at this festival in the group The Pink Haired Girls. Bring your drum and learn some African and Cuban rhythms and have some fun in the process.