The Minnie Sessions Vol 2

Description

Who’s On Second

Scott Macmillan and his featured artists explore their musicality on an intimate level and in an intimate setting. Drawing on Scott’s genius as a musical facilitator, originality and creativity are encouraged within a relaxed and unpressured atmosphere. Although second in the series, Volume 2 represents many firsts:

Scott kindles his long time musical friendship in a duet with Jimmy Rankin (courtesy of EM! Music Canada) in Jimmy’s never before released song, “Wicker Man”.

1997 Summer Time Revue fans will hear for the 1st time on CD the music of the young and dynamic, Cape Breton Fiddler, Lisa MacIsaac.

Listeners will enjoy the tremendous talents of Janet Munson, whom audiences will know from her work with Lennie Gallant. Minnie Session Vol.2 represents Janet’s first recording as a feature artist.

Barra MacNeil fans will recognize Jamie Gatti’s rich and full bass sound and marvel at his ability to navigate such difficult fiddle tunes as “The Mathematician.”

Multi-talented Scott Macmillan rounds off Volume 2 with a series of solos, duets, and trios with his featured artists. His mastery as a guitarist is demonstrated on a mixture of original tunes including his Cape Breton style fiddle tunes for guitar and his tongue and cheek up beat numbers such as “The IddlDoo Polka.”

For more information regarding Minnie Sessions Vol.2 contact: Jennyfer Brickenden
scojenmusic@gmail.com

Who’s Who on Volume 2:

• Truro born, Jamie D. “Bass-Face” Gatti; began playing in high school under the tutelage of the eminent Truro music teacher, Ron MacKay. He began his professional career in Halifax as a session player in the mid 70’s and soon moved on to Ottawa, where he joined the RCMP band and remained with them for over 12 years. While in Ottawa, Jamie performed with such international stars as Rob McConnell, Oliver Jones, and Buddy Tate among others and was the house bass player during the 82/83 season of the “Cock and Lion” lounge at the Chateau Laurier Hotel. A versatile musician Jamie led several groups, including the funk band J.G. Scrudd and the Jamie Gatti Quintet. Since his return to the Maritimes, Jamie Gatti has been eagerly sought after both in the studio and on the playing scene. He is currently engaged with the Celtic group from Cape Breton, The Barra MacNeils.

• At 18, Lisa MacIsaac, from Creignish, Cape Breton, is a multi-talented fiddler and step dancer. She began step dancing at the age of 8 and fiddling by the age of 9. Lisa’s traditional Cape Breton fiddle playing has taken her to perform in front of audiences across the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario and the New England States. During the summer of 1997, Lisa joined the cast of the Cape Breton Summertime Revue. Lisa will be attending university this fall.

• Your host is Scott Macmillan is a composer, conductor, arranger and multi-instrumentalist extraodinaire. Scott makes his home in Halifax, Nova Scotia and part time in Hillsboro, Cape Breton. A vibrant musical force in Atlantic Canada, he can be found working as Host Conductor of the Mostly Maritimes POPS series for Symphony Nova Scotia to producing recording sessions for Rita MacNeil and the Rankin Family. Scott recently received a Doctorate of Letters from the University College of Cape Breton; for his contribution to the expression of Cape Breton Culture. His compositions and arrangements are performed all over North America and his music is regularly heard on CBC nationally. To date his most renowned work is the Celtic Mass for the Sea.

• A confident performer and accomplished musician, Janet Munson is well-known to Canadian audiences through her touring and recording work with ECMA-winner, Lennie Gallant. She was a member of the acclaimed band “The House”, from the national, late night variety show, “Friday Night with Ralph Benmerqui” on CBC TV. Janet has also performed with such diverse artists as Leonard Cohen, Sylvia Tyson/Quartette, Kashtin and Laura Smith. Janet is the feature violinist on Scott Macmillan’s recording, Celtic Mass for the Sea. Born in St. Bonifice, Manitoba and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she studied violin, Janet now resides in Halifax. Janet will soon be releasing her first solo recording, “Venus Retrograde”.

• Jimmy Rankin is a lead vocalist, guitarist and primary song writer for The Rankin Family Band. Virtually raised on the stage of many a community hall in and around Inverness County, music has always been an integral part of Jimmy’s Life. His songs are an eclectic mix of pop, folk and Celtic influences which gel in a unique dance hall inspired sound. In crafting a song, Jimmy draws on a multitude of musical influences as well as his art college training. “My creative process is much same, whether it be writing a song, interpreting a song vocally, or painting a picture. I am inspired by the basics….love, fate, angst, whatever is striking about something I’ve seen or experienced. I try to relate these themes in songs that are accessible and understandable to people in an artistic and very real sense”.

Send correspondence to:
email scojenmusic@gmail.com