Music Performance,
(if applicable)
- Genre EMB -- British Isles-Ireland - MUSIC
- URL
- Biography Puirt na Gael is a folk-band based in the Pacific Northwest that plays traditional Celtic instrumental music. Fast-paced jigs, hornpipes and reels in the Cape Breton style are typical, with melody leads being passed around between Borderpipe, Scottish Smallpipe, Fiddle and Guitar – with the odd flute and penny whistle contributing to tune sets from time to time as well. The band members are huge fans of Scottish music, and regularly participate in sessions with other Celtic music enthusiasts around the greater Seattle area. Aaron Malcomb plays Scottish Reelpipes, flute and whistle for the band, and has assembled many of the tune sets performed by the band. An accomplished Highland piper, Aaron lives in Bellingham, WA, and plays with the New Westminster Police Pipe Band in British Columbia. He also pursues an active competitive piping career in the circuit of Highland Games in the Pacific Northwest and Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Brandy Driscoll plays fiddle with the band, and lives in Sedro Woolley, WA. Originally from Phoenix, Brandy is a very talented and energetic fiddler, well-versed in a variety of styles of fiddle music. She loves session music playing, and especially the Cape Breton style of Scottish tunes played at break-neck tempos! She will take the melody lead often in sets, but sneaks in beautiful harmonies all the time too! Skye Richendrfer plays Scottish Smallpipes and Reelpipes, along with whistle. He lives in Mount Vernon, WA, and has played Highland Pipes for over 40 years, and only recently has leapt into the trad music scene. As the Founder and Executive Director of the Celtic Arts Foundation, Skye is very involved in organizing Highland Games, producing concerts and instructional workshops featuring top pipers and drummers from the UK and beyond. Sue Truman lives in Seattle and plays guitar, and fiddle. What’s more, she keeps a continual Cape Breton Step Dance going with both feet during her playing! Sue’s been plugged into the greater Seattle music scene for many years, and just loves to play tunes and she’s a much sought-after accompanist.
