Bowties

Gordon Stobbe, Fiddle
Greg Simm, Guitar
Nancy Dahn, Violin
Timothy Steeves, Piano

The violin and the piano. The fiddle and the guitar. These two pairs, one classically trained (Duo Concertante), one folk-oriented (Stobbe/Simm), come together to juxtapose, contemplate, and explore with the audience their seemingly disparate (or similar?) traditions and artistry. With virtuosity, insight, imagination and humour they present a thrilling musical experience spanning Bach to Benoit. Between the Duo Concertante’s ravishing renditions of the traditional classics, and Gordon Stobbe’s toe-tapping Metis fiddle tunes, maritime airs and his own heartwarming compositions, all musical possibilities are open to discovery.

The show, described as “Musical Magic” (The Telegram), has already toured throughout the Maritimes and across Newfoundland. Bowties’ 2004 Contact East showcase triggered an Atlantic tour in the spring of 2005, where delighted audiences enjoyed the show’s “first-class heart and soul”.

For over 10 years, Duo Concertante has performed hundreds of recitals world-wide. It has toured China and Canada and performed in England, Europe, Russia and in the U.S.A. to acclaim, most notably at its recent Wigmore Hall (London, U.K.) debut. Its three CD’s on the ATMA Classique label and live performances are broadcast regularly throughout Canada and the U.S.A.

"Legendary fiddle player Gordon Stobbe" (The Halifax Mail Star) is a master fiddler of a wide variety of North American fiddle styles and is in great demand as a performer and teacher across North America. Guitarist Greg Simm specializes in many musical styles ranging from country to traditional folk and has performed with such notable Maritime performers as Laura Smith, Natalie MacMaster, Lenny Gallant, Kendra MacGillvary and Richard Wood.

Reviews

“Unique blend of classical and folk music”  The Telegram, June 2, 2008

MUSICAL MAGIC
The Telegram, St. John’s, NL - 2004 East Coast Music Awards - Friday, February 13, 2004
The Rush of Adrenaline by Mark Vaughan-Jackson

"…One of my personal faves of the classical stage was Bow Ties.  This hybrid mix features the classical pianist/violinist husband and wife team Timothy Steeves and Nancy Dahn (a.k.a. Duo Concertante) with Nova Scotia fiddler Gordon Stobbe and guitarist Greg Simm. 

Imagine, if you will, a program where these four musicians trade songs – a snippet of classical violin followed by a snatch of a 15th century Irish jig.  Add in a line of witty repartee and you’ve got a little musical magic – especially when they tag team on a bluesy/trad rendition of a Ravel work segueing smoothly into the real McCoy classical version a heartbeat later"