Jamie Laval
ONE OF THE premier Celtic violinists on the international music scene today,
Jamie Laval creates rapt audiences with his intensely passionate performances of
traditional music of Scotland, Ireland, Brittany and Quebec, rendered with hints
of classical refinement and ethnic music from around the world.
Jamie is heralded as “One of North America’s finest practitioners of traditional
Scottish music” (San Jose Mercury News) and “The next Alasdair Fraser” (Press
and Post). The Asheville Citizen-Times writes, “One of the hottest fiddlers out
there…this act has been turning heads wherever it plays.”
What sets Jamie’s music in a class by itself is the nuance, virtuosity, and
musical craftsmanship he brings to an ancient art form. Simple Celtic folk
melodies are transformed into epic tonal narratives which take the listener on
an emotional journey from quiet melancholy to wild jubilation.
Jamie's accessible sound appeals to families, youth, seniors, and devotees of
ethnic, jazz, and classical music.
The making of his trademark style began at the Victoria Conservatory of Music
where he studied classical violin. Later he pursued careers as a professional
symphony musician, recording studio artist, improvising violinist, and contra
dance fiddler. But his passion for the haunting sounds
of rural Irish and Scottish folk music eventually usurped all other
preoccupations, and he has devoted himself exclusively to Celtic music ever
since.
In 2002 Jamie won the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship and
subsequently embarked on a full time touring career which today includes over
120 engagements per year throughout the U.S. and Scotland.
Jamie now lives in Asheville, North Carolina and takes a keen interest in the
musical and historical ties that connect his Appalachian home with the
dispersion of Celtic peoples from their original homeland. He serves on the
faculty of The Swannanoa Gathering, a summer institute for traditional arts and
music.
His critically esteemed debut CD recording, Shades of Green, airs regularly on
many NPR programs nationwide. Meanwhile, Zephyr In The Confetti Factory, his duo
album with mandolinist Ashley Broder, won Best World Traditional Song in the
2007 Independent Music Awards Vox Populi.
Jamie has also collaborated on numerous television, film, and CD recordings,
including Dave Matthews’ Some Devil, Warner Bros. Pictures’ Wild America, and
WB-TV series Everwood.
Recent live performances include Wintergrass
Festival (Tacoma), the Freight & Salvage (Berkeley), Swallow Hill Productions
(Denver), Club Passim (Boston), The Fringe Festival (Edinburgh), the NBC Today
Show, The West Coast Live radio show, and a private appearance for Her Majesty
the Queen.
Call or Click for Tickets
The Palace Theater is conveniently located in Downtown Maryville
just 17 miles south of Knoxville, TN.
South from Knoxville: Travel 129 South past the airport.
Take the right fork and turn left at the first light.
Pass 4 or 5 lights and Take the first right onto Broadway.
The Palace is will be on the right.
Plenty of Free Parking in the city municipal lot.
You can easily purchase tickets for Palace Concerts 4 Ways -
Use the Handy Ticket Link and fax your ticket request
Tickets can be purchased by calling 865-983-3330 Monday-Friday
9am to 2pm or by leaving a message after those hours.
You can stop into Murlin's Music World located at 429 West Broadway (PALACE TICKET OUTLET)
(Across from the Maryville Municipal Building and the corner of Hwy 321 and Broadway)
You can purchase tickets at the door the day of the event though we cannot guarantee the concert will not be sold out. Box office opens at 6:30pm the night of the event.
Back to the Concert Page