Colin Grant

Raised in Toronto, Colin Grant began his musical career at the age of 4 at the Royal Conservatory of Music, studying classical violin in the Suzuki program. By the age of 10, he began to explore Cape Breton-style traditional music, taking lessons from Sandy MacIntyre, and at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts, studying piano accompaniment and stepdancing in addition to the fiddle.

When his family moved to Cape Breton in 1998, Colin immersed himself in the local music scene, taking lessons in fiddle and guitar from acclaimed musician and teacher Allie Bennett as well as performing at ceilidhs, dances, and concerts all over the island. He soon developed his own style of playing; his clean, lively sound proving versatile in venues as diverse as the West Mabou dance hall and the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay.

Always comfortable before a live audience, Colin never declines an opportunity to take to the stage; whether being accompaniment for other musicians like ECMA nominee Luc Tardif, or giving an energetic solo performance. Starting in the summer of 2002, he was cast in Cape Breton Lyrics and Laughter, a revue-style show featuring Cape Breton music and comedy. Over the past five summers, the show has been winning rave reviews from local critics and visitors alike through over 250 performances at the Louisbourg Playhouse. In 2003 he was accepted into the National Artists Program (Canada), which brought together young performers and fine artists to produce a gala show at the Jeux Canada Games in Bathurst, New Brunswick.

In addition to his performances all over the Maritime Provinces, Colin had the opportunity to bring Cape Breton music to Indonesia for the Canadian International Seafood Festival in April of 2004, hosting several concerts and conducting workshops at the Jakarta Performing Arts Institute. Colin has also toured Canada, France, and China with award-winning Acadian group Blou.

Aside from showcasing at the 2005 and 2006 East Coast Music Awards and continuing several projects as a side fiddler, Colin’s self-titled CD, released on October 8, 2006 has been his most ambitious project to date. Co-produced by Colin Grant and Lakewind Sound engineer Mike Shepherd, the CD presents a refreshing new sound that combines traditional Scottish and Cape Breton tunes with contemporary compositions; including some of Grant’s own.

With the support of the (Celtic Colours) Festival Volunteer Drive’er Association and Lakewind Sound co-owners Fred Lavery and Gordie Sampson, the project is the first to be awarded annually to a young Cape Breton traditional musician to create his/her first full-length album. In addition to his music,

Grant is completing his studies in education at Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point, Nova Scotia, where he teaches private fiddle lessons. With his respect for the traditional sound of Cape Breton fiddle music, and his innovative approach to arranging and composing tunes, Colin’s musical style will continue to develop and progress to the delight of audiences from all over the world.