The 18th annual Celtic Colours International Festival is in full swing and this year the event is paying tribute to Cape Breton fidding icon Buddy MacMaster.
MacMaster passed away in August at the age of 89, but his memory is front and centre at festival events all over the island, and especially in his home community of Judique, N.S.
MacMaster was honoured with a special tribute concert Monday night, in front of a packed house. MacMaster was originally meant to be the guest of honour, as the show was initially planned in celebration of his 90th birthday.
Instead, the event was a celebration of his life and impact on Celtic music.
“People now, more than ever, now that he’s gone and they know he’s not gonna be around playing anymore, they realize the impact and the amount he has actually contributed to the music,” says Allan Dewar of the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre.
“When you see how people are coming from all over the world, connected with his name, that really says a lot for the legacy that he’s leaving.”
Music students from across North America are attending events at the Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddling. Ashlyne Bigg of the Yukon met MacMaster when he visited her home province.
“I signed up for this camp hoping I would maybe see him again,” says Bigg. “I’d been thinking about him a lot, but even though he’s passed on, it’s still so great to be here.”
Many of the students say they have come to the Island to tap into Cape Breton’s fiddling traditions.
“You get a real variety of tunes, new styles, we’re all from Cape Breton, but we all play a little bit differently,” says fiddler Rachel Davis.
“So you learn something new and different from every instructor and hopefully take some good Cape Breton tunes back home with you.”
Billed as nine days and nights of non-stop music and culture, the Celtic Colours International Festival takes place at venues across Cape Breton Island until Oct. 18.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald
