|
|
|
 Jennifer Roland is no
ordinary fiddler. This gifted young lady is steeped with passion, energy
and talent and is known as the "next star out of Cape Breton
Island."
Jennifer is now poised to take flight in an already promising career with the release of her new album "Wings." Following the success of her debut album "Dedication", this sophomore album will launch her to another level. Playing Cape Breton Fiddle seems to be Jennifer's destiny. From the small fishing community of Alder Point, Cape Breton, at the knee of her fiddler father, Jennifer began picking out tunes on the piano and step dancing at a very young age. By the time she was nine she was already studying Cape Breton Fiddle from Kyle MacNeil of the famed Barra MacNeils. Before she reached her teens, Jennifer developed a strong love for her music and had quickly become a popular entertainer at local kitchen parties, community concerts, charity events and festivals. Since the release of "Dedication" in 1997, Jennifer has impressed audiences both at home and abroad with her brilliant musical talent and her overwhelming charm and charisma. Jennifer's technical ability along with her sparking energy and dynamic personality allow her to connect with audiences of all ages. Attending a Jennifer Roland performance is like riding a Celtic roller coaster of emotions, as you will be moved to tears by slow airs played with a tremendously delicate touch and then whipped into a frenzy by jigs, reels and strathspeys that are played with an extreme amount of energy and enthusiasm. Her mastery of the fiddle and her original
compositions combined with her dynamic step dancing skills and creative
choreography, allow Jennifer to put on incredible shows that leaves
everyone wanting more.
Her second CD, "Wings", represents Jennifer's metamorphosis from a young, raw talent, to a seasoned, mature musician who is ready to take the world by storm. The album is innovative and youthful while still holding on to the roots of Cape Breton traditional music. "Wings", produced by Al Bennett, featured a "who's who" of Cape Breton's finest musicians including Gordie Sampson, Tracey Dares-MacNeil, Howie MacDonad, Matt Foulds, and Fred Lavery, just to name a few. Along with the release of "Wings", Jennifer's schedule included a showcase at the 2001 ECMA's in Charlottetown and an 18-concert tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Jennifer is poised to be the next star to come from the musical paradise known as Cape Breton. |
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for allowing us to do an interview with you.
You sound like you've been performing your whole
life. What got you started in step dancing and playing the fiddle?
Which did you start first?
I always had a love for music as far back as
I can remember. When I was three, one of my brothers taught me how to
play Mary Had a Little Lamb on the Piano. I couldn't get enough after
that. So my parents put me in Piano lessons and step dancing when
I was 5. (Probably hoping it would help burn off some of my hyper
energy... he he ). My dad played fiddle all my life. My dancing
teacher, Jean Mac Neil, the mother of the Barra MacNeils encouraged my
mom to send me for lessons from her son Kyle (of the Barra's) when I
began to express an interest. So I started the fiddle soon after
that when I was about 9 or so and that was it. I never looked
back.
For someone who is new to your music, how would
you describe it?
Wow that's a tough one. Cape Breton fiddle
has both Irish and Scottish roots. If someone were to ask me face
to face, I would probably jig out a tune like a song and do a little
step or two for them to get the point across and if that didn't work I
would probably just give them a free CD:-)
Do you have any other musicians in your family?
Are your parents musical? Siblings?
Music does run in my family. My dad is a very talented guitar player and fiddler. I learned a great deal from him when I was a little girl starting off. I'd literally fall asleep on the kitchen floor listening to him play when I was real young. My sister Karmie is a wonderful Piano player and an incredible composer. I have used her compositions on both of my albums. Most of my brothers and sisters pick around with some kind of instrument, but they don't perform professionally.
Do you play any other instruments besides the
fiddle?
I play around with lot's of instruments such as the Piano, mandolin and etc., but the fiddle and dance are definitely my forte.
I saw you perform last October at the Celtic
Colors Festival in Cape Breton as part of the Celtic Women concert.
You had a few young dancers up on stage with you. Do you
teach these children to dance?
Yes I teach both dancing and fiddle, quite a
bit during the time that I'm not on the road.
How do you choose the tunes you're going to
record?
That's a good question. Usually I find or
write one tune or I'll have an idea that I want to try and work around
with. If I can't find tunes to work with it to create what I want,
then I write them myself. Sometimes that's much easier. When we
start the album the first thing that we work on is a concept. What do I
want this album to sound like and how do I want it to represent me.
With wings, I wanted it to represent growth and experience, new and old.
How I've developed musically since the release of Dedication. We
also wanted to work with new sounds and funky styles, which kind of
represents the colorful symbol of the butterfly. So we worked with
that when picking out, researching and recording the tunes.
You've just released a new CD called
"Wings" which contains a wonderful cross selection of tunes.
Why did you choose the name "Wings" as the title?
When I recorded "Dedication" I was
very new at the business. I wanted it to represent what my music
and life had meant to me at that time. I was inspired by so many
people and things in life. It was not just the traveling, and
glamour of the music Industry, but opportunity to reach and support
others in so many different ways that drove me to want to peruse my
dreams. The title and concept "Dedication" was very
fitting.
When I began working on "Wings", I knew that I wanted it to branch out from my debut "Dedication". "Wings" represents me and my music and what music means to me on many different levels. I learned so many things over the past several years since the release of "Dedication" about the music industry and myself. While I have grown and changed, my love for the traditional music remains the same. We worked with more modern sounds and styles on "Wings", but the traditional style of my music remained the core though out the entire project.
Do you feel that "Wings" is a
continuation of the style of tunes that were on
"Dedication", which you released in 1997, or are you branching
out into different styles now?
We definitely branched out with
"Wings" and worked with different styles, however the core of
the traditional style still remains strong.
What's your take on why Celtic Music, especially Canadian, is so popular these days in other parts of the world? Do you think shows like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance had something to do with it?
Sure I think that performances and shows
like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance played a huge role in exposing
Celtic Music to the rest of the world where Celtic Music doesn't exist.
Because many musicians began using different styles and intertwining
other genres of music, such as pop with the traditional celtic style, I
think more and more people, especially young age groups began to relate
better. People like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance because it's
skillful, exciting and extremely visually entertaining. Through
all this excitement I really do feel that many people also develop an
appreciation and interest for the traditional culture and history of our
music as well.
Have you attended University/College since high
school graduation?
I started a science degree right after I
graduated but I quickly realized that I just couldn't possibly travel,
record a CD, teach and do well at a science degree all at the same time.
So it's on the back burner for now.
I'm actually glad that I put it aside, because originally I wanted to go
into a registered nursing program, but I think I would much rather work
in other fields such as psychology. Plus I would never trade what
I've learned through my experiences as a musician over the past 5 years.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I have many influences. I pretty much
enjoy almost all types of music that's out there. I would have to
say that most of my biggest musical influences are from right here at
home, such as Winston "Scotty" Fitzgerald, Buddy MacMaster,
Angus Chilsolm. A lot of the older players from way back.
And of course, my dad.
What do you enjoy to do when you're off the road?
Well I don't get much time to do anything else because when I get home I'm usually catching up on stuff like letters and phone calls or getting ready and working out details for up coming events and tours. I really enjoy spending time with my family whenever I can, such as my little nieces and nephews.
What have been some of the highlights of your
career so far?
Wow, I've really been lucky to have been
given the opportunities to do a lot of different things so far.
The wonderful thing about my career that I love is that I get to
experience so many different things. I really
love traveling, so that has been really exciting. Touring Europe
was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I also did a bit
of work in the movie Margarets Museum, which was an exciting and unique
experience. I also love the fact that I can support many charities
such as the IWK Grace Children's Hospital in Halifax, NS, where I spent
a lot of time as a child.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10
years?
Oh my, I don't know. I guess I'd like
to continue my career for a little while longer. Hopefully do a
few more albums and see the world a bit more. Even though I've
been at this for 8 or 9 years, I feel like I've only just begun.
You've been over to Germany on several tours
recently. What is the reaction to your music over there?
The audiences are incredible. Their
response to celtic music is amazing. A lot of the venues are
stand-up settings. They literally stand for hours, clapping, dancing,
and shouting. They are very energetic and generous when it comes to
expressing their appreciation for music.
Where else have you toured locally, nationally,
internationally?
Well I did the Cape Breton Summertime Revue
in '98 which toured most of Atlantic Canada. I have also done a
fair bit of traveling in the U.S. I believe we've performed in about 40
different cities in Europe over the past 2 years and I also did a
15 concert tour in October '98 of the U.K with CB fiddlers Jerry Holland
and J.P Cormier.
Is there a place that you have yet to tour that
you would like to visit?
I definitely want to tour Ireland. I
have always want to go there ever since I was a little girl. A
really hot place like Bermuda wouldn't be bad either, especially after
all the mountains of snow that we've had here in CB this winter.
Now for some more entertaining questions!
What's your favorite movie / tv show?
Well I really don't get to watch much TV but I love Friends. It's probably my favorite. I also try to watch ER, and The Practice.
Who are your favorite singers/instrumentalists?
In the Celtic world I'd be here forever, because I have such great respect for so many musicians that I know; such as Gordie Sampson, Buddy MacMaster, Sean MacGuire and so on. I listen to a lot of Mariah Carey, Chantel Kreviazuk, Jewel, and Melanie Doane. I really enjoy a lot of different types of music.
If you could perform with anyone in the world, who
would it be and why?
This is definitely a tricky question. I really haven't thought of this. Well I heard the Chieftains are pretty exciting to tour with. Jennifer Roland |
"You must hear Jennifer Roland from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Roland is the next rising star in the Cape Breton Fiddling world." - The Denver Post, September 8, 2000 "Gifted young fiddlers are surprisingly common in Cape Breton, but there's nothing ordinary about Jennifer Roland. The 19-year-old Alder Point native is one of the fastest rising young stars on the Cape Breton Music Scene." - Ken MacLeod, Cape Breton Post "Old hands JP Cormier and Jerry Holland and new talent Jennifer Roland are equally skilled; whether playing they're brilliantly" - Mark Brown, The Scotsman, Glasgow, Scotland "It would be hard for any fiddler to top the package that Jennifer Roland has put on the market. The tunes on Dedication are played masterfully. Judging by the people talking about and praising Dedication, it's a given that Jen is on her way to a promising career." Jack Bonepart, What's Goin' On Magazine "Jennifer Roland's debut CD has just the one fiddle, but drive and bite are the meat and drink of the Cape Breton tradition and she is steeped in it up to her eyes." - Alex Monaghan, The Living Tradition "Jennifer Roland is a young lady who has dedicated her life to music with a tremendous vigour. I have known Jennifer since she was a child and even then it was evident that her talent and determination would lead her to a career in music. She has never faltered in her desire to achieve success." Fred Lavery, musician/songwriter/producer, Lakewind Sound Studios "This is one of my top ten Celtic albums of 1998!" Colin Randall, Daily Telegraph London "When you listen to Jennifer Roland playing music you hardly believe that as a child, she lost her sense of hearing. This is why Jennifer's music is so special. For a time she had to listen more to an inner voice than to the sounds on the outside. "Dedication" is worthy of a listen if you are inclined to the magic of excellent fiddle playing." The Anglo-Celt Newspaper 1/99 "Armed with a prized possession, Winston Fitzgerald's fiddle, Jennifer Roland has been charming audiences with energetic performances. Under the auspices of Kyle MacNeil, Jennifer has fashioned a unique sound out of a broad range of Celtic influences including Buddy MacMasgter, Angus Chisholm, Winston Fitzgerald, and The Barra MacNeils, as well as taking notice of the musicians in her family such as her father Buddy, who played the fiddle, and sister Karmie who still accompanies her...Dedication serves as a musical testament to Jennifer's abilities and a bright future ahead." - Liner notes to The Cape Breton Connection. "Roland also plays slow airs...and her renditions of a couple of poignant slow tunes written by her sister are especially heart-rending." - Dirty Linen (December 2000) |
For current tour dates, go to www.jenniferroland.com |
For more info on Jennifer Roland, check out her website at http://www.jenniferroland.com (website currently under construction) or visit this unofficial website. Jennifer Roland's Management - Phil Dubinsky, 51 Park Street, Sydney, NS, B1P 4W3, Canada, Phone: (902) 539-5989, Fax: (902) 567-1278You can contact Jennifer Roland directly at: 807 Alder Point Road, Alder Point, NS B1Y 1B1, Canada, or email jen.roland@ns.sympatico.ca To order Jennifer Roland's CD's - "Dedication" or "Wings" in Canada, visit HMV's website, in the US, visit Portland America's website and overseas, visit Magnetic Music's website. If you're interested in more Canadian Celtic Music, visit www.islandviewcreations.com/canadacelticmusic |
