Cd Isle...CDs by BC island recording artists

Just released recording of your favourite Coast String Fiddler tunes !

The Coast String Fiddlers Association, a non-profit association which is committed to promote the understanding and learning of traditional fiddle music through the support of fiddle instruction and related activities. The School and other activities including concerts, workshops and fiddle clubs are organized by volunteers. We are located in Roberts Creek, B.C.

It all began in 1993 with a group of young fiddlers playing in a park. With the help of Michelle Bruce, a local Suzuki violin teacher, weekly practices began. Soon parents became involved in the accompaniment of the fiddlers on piano, accordion, guitar and bodhran. Cellists and violists joined with highland dancers added and now the group boasts a membership of about 20 players from age 9-18 years.

The group has become so popular on the Sunshine Coast in attracting potential young players, two new fiddle groups at the beginner level "Horsetails" and the "Rosin Racers" were formed in 1999 to provide a stepping stone for youngsters wishing to become Coast String Fiddlers.

The nocturne genre of the 19th-20th century is deeply connected to the feelings and images of Romanticism. As such, it reflects one of its most quintessential images, defined as "infinite longing for an ideal state of being".

There is a span of more than 120 years between the earliest and the latest piece recorded on this CD, and each composer comes from a different ethnic origin - Irish, Polish, Hungarian, French, Russian, French Canadian, English Canadian and Bulgarian. Yet, unity is created by their common romantic spirit; a spirit which unfolds like unbroken thread from the charming simplicity of Field through the melodic genius of Chopin to the lush harmonies of Pepin, Morley and Vladigerov.

Dimiter Terziev was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and graduated from the State Academy of Music majoring in Piano Performance. Among his teachers were the distinguished Bulgarian pianists Antoaneta Arsova, Milena Mollova and Nikolay Evrov.

In 1995, after three years of full-time teaching, Mr. Terziev moved to Canada, and earned a Diploma of Advanced Music Performance Studies from Concordia University in Montreal as a student of Anna Szpilberg. In 2000 he completed a Master's degree in Piano Performance at the University of Alberta in Edmonton under the supervision of Dr. Stephane Lemelin. He and his wife Ilka are currently living in Kamloops BC. Dimiter teaches piano at the United Conservatory of Music in Kamloops, Fountainview Academy in Lillooet, and a private studio in Ashcroft.

Dimiter Terziev has given numerous piano and chamber recitals in Canada, USA Bulgaria, Germany and The Netherlands. He has performed with several Bulgarian orchestras, as well as the Kamloops Symphony. He was awarded third prize at the Chopin National Competition in Bulgaria in 1989, and has made several recordings for the Bulgarian National Radio and the Bulgarian National Television. Terziev's debut CD "Colours of Bulgaria" was sponsored by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and
was awarded Four Stars both by the CBC's "Sound Advice" and
"La scena musicale" magazine. He has recently recorded his second disc "Nocturnal World".

"Master of stirring mystery of sound ... His playing constantly moved between poetry and passion."
(Badische Zeitung, Germany)

"He is a musician of deeply reasoned convictions, who already has a well-defined understanding of his own artistic voice. He is a musician who thinks at the piano and who has the gift of communicating his artistic vision in an engaging manner."
(Dr. Stephane Lemelin, Canada)

Djolé is pronounced "jo-lay" and it is the word which the Mandinka people of West Africa use to describe the joy of life. This is something that is captured in the music which this wonderfully explorative and innovative group perform. Djolé is comprised of Niel Golden, Joby Baker, Doug Galbraith, Scott Sheerin, Sara Marreiros, and Tobin Stokes. Also joining them for this disc are Michael Baron, Dean Samuel, Stephen Kent, Danuel Tate, and Enrique Rivas. Together they perform some musical magic, wandering through new territory with their "timeless sound interwoven with jazz influences." Each track draws forth something new and unique from the listener's perspective, as well. There are a number of diverse and unique instruments used on this disc, far too many to name here, however you could pretty well travel the world through their use. Sara adds a poignant haunting effect to a number of the tracks with her vocal twinings, and gives greater depth to the already enriching pieces. "Cadboro Bay" is a place which is very familiar to me. I spent many summers there as I was growing up, as it was only a mile or so from my home. The tidal flow is captured with the melody, and Sara's vocals carry you along like a refreshing ocean breeze. It is a track which I found to be both relaxing and invigorating. A light and jazzy refrain is found in "Sutukum," a traditional piece. The soprano saxophone takes center stage, the notes pouring forth from it dancing about and above the melody, with the beat being kept by a Moroccan frame drum. Add in a Fender Rhodes and you have a rather incongruous blend, but it is quite pleasing to both the ears and soul. The final track on this disc is "The Idea of Earth," an original Djolé composition. It incorporates a number of those world wide instruments I mentioned earlier, from the tabla to the didgeridoo, and is a rather playful piece incorporating all of the unique sounds which come from the instruments. What the mind thinks should emerge as no more than a cacophony, is in reality a beautiful piece. Djolé is a group who's music excites and explores new avenues of approach, blending the not so obvious with traditional arrangements. They are to be enjoyed, and listened to repeatedly.

the musicians

Joby Baker (Bass, Drums, Synthesizer & Voice).

Doug Galbraith (Kora, Nylon String Guitar, Electric Guitar, Drums, Clave, Conga, Djembe & Sabar).

Niel Golden (Tabla, Doumbek, Tar, Tambourine, Woodblock & Shaker).

Sara Marreiros (Voice).

Scott Sheerin (Flute, Soprano Saxophone).

Tobin Stokes (Piano & Vibes).

Also featuring performance contributions by:

Michael Baron (Hand Drum & Shaker).

Stephen Kent (Didgeridoo, Click Stick & Shaker).

Enrique Rivas (Surdo & Cuica).

Dean Samuel (Mbira).

Daniel Tate (Electric Piano).