Testimonials | Performing Experience | Recordings | TV & Video | PDF Promo Kit

Summary

Spirit Fiddle, featuring Champion Fiddler Robin Warren and Guitarist Brian Clancey, performs a wide variety of energetic music, ranging from bouncy Southern and Texas swing tunes to sweet waltzes, old popular songs, bluegrass numbers, French Canadian and Celtic jigs and reels, Texas swing, and Parisian musette.

From The Boston Museum of Fine Arts to the renowned Fiddler’s Grove Festival in Union Grove, North Carolina, from east Texas to the oldest bluegrass festival in Canada, from sidewalk cafes to coffee houses and formal concerts, audiences delight in the eclectic mix of music Spirit Fiddle performs, and in their natural sense of humor on stage. Since its first appearance over 13 years ago, Spirit Fiddle has given over 1000 performances and recorded 6 full-length albums.

The first album is a collection of fiddle waltzes entitled Mother’s Day Waltz (1999). The second, Blue Jeans and Gingham (2000), features a mix of fast and slow tunes from a variety of North American fiddle traditions. The third album, entitled Cafe Music (2003), includes Canadian and American waltzes as well as musette, music popular in Europe during the early 1900s. New Old Fashioned (2005) features some original tunes as well as European and North American music. Rapproche – Come Closer (2007) offers waltzes, musette, Texas swing, Canadian jigs and reels, and Celtic tunes, both Irish and Scottish. Crossing Borders (2009) is a collection of tunes from many sources, and includes a popular Civil War song, a tango, French musette, bluegrass, Canadian tunes, and cross-over material. Spirit Fiddle CDs and tapes are available through a variety of outlets, including this website.

After studying classical violin as a child, and giving solo violin recitals in Boston’s Brown Hall and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Master Fiddler Robin Warren took first place prizes in numerous fiddle contests in North Carolina and New England. She was the first fiddler ever to win the coveted Fiddler of the Festival title during 3 different years at Fiddler’s Grove in North Carolina. For this, she was granted the title of Master Fiddler. She is also one of several fiddlers featured in the 1994 PBS Special entitled “Fiddler’s Grove, a Celebration of Old-Time Music”. She has appeared on over 2 dozen albums and collections.

Brian Clancey brings a lifetime of experience (from Renaissance lute to bluegrass) to his sensitive guitar arrangements of Spirit Fiddle tunes. Brian is known throughout the Boston area as an outstanding rhythm player, and he is a popular backup guitar player at contests and festivals throughout New England.

Testimonials

“I can still vividly remember hearing Robin and Brian playing at 6 am Sunday morning at Thomas Point Beach, after being up all night jamming, and still having enough drive and “pizzazz” to hold an avid audience in the campground at that hour. For me, at that time, their rendition of Ashokan Farewell sold me on their performing ability and stage presence and convinced me to hire them for our festival. I woke up the rest of our hiring committee to hear them, and we all agreed we wanted Robin and Brian to come play for us in Nova Scotia. Also, their very reasonable price and the ease of negotiating with them made Spirit Fiddle an easy pick!!!”

Bob Sharples
Chair, Band Selection Committee
Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Festival
Nova Scotia

“Hearing Robin Warren play the violin is an emotional experience! to laugh, to cry, to dance, to relax, to enjoy — these are emotions felt when listening to Robin’s music. Her feeling for the piece she is playing conveys to the listener the true depth of the tune. … Robin has established her own identity as a fiddler and does a superb job in whatever style she chooses to play. … We at Fiddler’s Grove never cease to be amazed at her talent and versatility, and we acclaim her as one of the “great” fiddlers of our day.”

“Brian Clancey is an amazing guitar player who accompanies Robin Warren’s fiddle music to perfection. His artistry as a musician is apparent and exciting each time one hears him play.”

Harper & Wanona Van Hoy
Ole Time Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Festival
Continuing a Tradition 1924-2008
Fiddler’s Grove, Union Grove, North Carolina

“When Master Fiddler Robin Warren plays an old- time waltz, magic happens. The sounds of her fiddle lift your spirit and warm your heart. This is ageless music, beautifully performed. Music for the soul.”

David Holt
Grammy Award Winning Musician, TV and Radio Host
Nashville, Tennessee

“One of the best musical groups I’ve ever had at the festival. Evaluation comments were excellent, and people talked about you for months afterwards. Absolutely wonderful, hot, clean fiddle music.”

Wayne Henderson, Chairman
Wayne Henderson Festival
Grayson Highlands National Park, Virginia

“Fantastische Geigerin!* Spirit Fiddle is a wonderfully entertaining blend of excellent fiddle and guitar playing. Their enthusiasm for the music is so delightfully shared with their audiences. We truly enjoy watching them perform and admire their skills.” (* fantastic violin/fiddle player!)

Jens Krüger, Uwe Krüger, Joel Landsberg
The Krüger Brothers, Switzerland and North Carolina

“If you are looking for music to the soundtrack of your life you’ll want to stop by Caffe di Siena either tomorrow night or next Saturday to check out the musical duet “Spirit Fiddle.” Such wonderful music you have never heard. You’ll sit and smile as Robin Warren plays waltzes like you’ve never heard them on her fiddle. So come, sit down, have some ricotta pie and a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the heavenly music.”

Tom Ryan, Editor
The Undertoad, Newburyport’s Bimonthly Journal
Newburyport, Massachusetts

“Thank you so much for the beautiful performance opening our Spring Performance Series. To compliment your musicianship and virtuosity seems almost redundant. Experiencing the Spirit Fiddle concert on that level alone was a master class for every musician in attendance. What I hadn’t expected was your mastery in communicating with our audience, which is a mixture of young college students who … have no common experience with the music … and a loyal group of older folks with a long, varied and sophisticated musical tastes. You deeply touched both groups… The humor and personal banter between you two afforded a glimpse into the humanity that generously flowed from your performance. We were captivated! You were a joy to work with and a profound pleasure to listen to.”

Mark Evans, Administrator
Arts and Humanities Program
Framingham State College, Massachusetts

“Your lively and varied musical programs get rave reviews from all who hear you!”

Joanne Perlman, Tea Chair 2002-2004
Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Massachusetts

“Such spontaneity can be created only when artists possess exacting precision and skill. Seeing Robin and Brian perform together, only enriches their music. Their exhilaration transfers to an audience who quickly connects with their on-stage interactions and responsiveness. It is apparent: that the music is being performed by master musicians who love what they are doing, and their audience leaves with that feeling.”

Jane Sutton, Owner of Quinn Music
Editor of the Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost Magazine
Asheville, North Carolina

“I’d just like to say that I think of you as one of the finest musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure to listen to.”

Michael Fioretti, Proprietor
Crescent Dragon Listening Room
Haverhill, Massachusetts

“Spirit Fiddle – the title says it all! The true spirit of the fiddle has no boundaries, nor is it imprisoned by any one style of music. The fiddle is a key part of bluegrass, carrying with it the influences of Canadian, Scotch and Irish music. So the fiddle blends well in venues ranging from bluegrass to classical. Especially when placed in the hands of a master artist such as Robin Warren.

Brian Clancey is a master of the guitar, and his love of the music shows. Together they create a sound that is enjoyed everywhere they appear. Rightfully so. Robin and Brian have a wonderful “cross-over” appeal to listeners of all types of music.The beautiful strains Robin can extract from her fiddle, paired with the superb bass runs and back-up accompaniment highlighted by Brian’s expertise on his guitar, are something every music fan should experience. I would put them at the top of my “hiring list” for any bluegrass / musical event that I promoted. They appeal to the varied tastes of all fans in the audience. I can foresee no venue where they would not be well received.

I first heard these two very talented performers playing in front of the showers at the Thomas Point Beach Festival after the stage show was over. When I first happened upon them, there were but a couple of us ,standing there mesmerized by the music emanating from them.The music was heartfelt, coming from the soul. By the time I grudgingly left to get some rest, there were over 40 of us in the crowd!”

Bonnie Gauthier, Owner/Editor/Publisher
Who’s Where In Bluegrass

Performing Experience

Spirit Fiddle has given over 700 performances in the past 10+ years. The duo has performed in a wide variety of venues, including those listed below:

Festivals

74th, 75th, 76th, 78th, 79th 80th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, 84th Fiddler’s Grove Ole Time Fiddlers and Bluegrass Festival in Union Grove, NC (1999-2008)
30th Annual Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Festival in Avon River Park, Nova Scotia (2001)
Carolina in the Fall (Kruger Brothers Festival) in Wilkesboro, NC (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Winterport Folk Festival in Winterport, ME (2006)
Lowell Banjo and Fiddle Contest (as showcase performance, not in competition), Lowell, MA (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
Stafford Springs Bluegrass Festival, Stafford Springs, CT (2001)
Massachusetts Country Music Association Jamboree, Lynn, MA (2001)
Boston Bluegrass Union Showcase, Lexington, MA (1998)
Wayne Henderson Festival, Grayson Highlands, VA (2003, 2006)
Chatauqua Festival, Wytheville, VA (2003)
Smith Meeting House Bluegrass Festival, Gilmanton, NH (2003)
Topsfield Fair (2003-2008)
Bourne Scallop Festival (2005)

Concerts

Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Wellesley College, Cohasset, MA
Framingham State College, MA
New England Folk Festival Showcase, Natick, MA
Topsfield Fair, Topsfield, MA
Bourne Scallop Festival, Bourne, MA
Buzzards Bay Concert in the Park Series, Bourne, MA
8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13 th Annual Holiday Stroll, Nashua, NH
Grotonfest, Groton, NH
Bachs Lunch Series Concert, Nashua, NH
Karen’s Climb Foundation, Nashua, NH
Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Art in Bloom Gala Reception, MA
Cook Shack Concerts, Union Grove, NC
Milford Pumpkin Festival, Milford, NH
Keene Pumpkin Festival, Keene, NH
Marblehead Pumpkin Festival, Marblehead, MA
Killingly Grange, Killingly, CT
Beacon Hill Art Walk, Boston, MA
Lighthouse Inn, Two Rivers, WS
Nashua Community Concert Association, NH
RIM (Refugee Immigration Ministry) Benefit, Topsfield, MA
Billerica Yankee Doodle Day, Billerica, MA
Deck Ladies Salon Concert, Falmouth, MA
Newton Free Library Concert Series, Newton, MA
Emerson Park Concert Series, Milford, NH
Marblehead Savings Bank, Marblehead, MA
Chocorua Family Campground, Tamworth, NH
Concerts on the Common Series, Burlington, MA
Concerts on the Lawn Concert Series, Chelmsford, MA
Shaker Village Wood Days Festival, Canterbury, NH
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Northern New England, Nashua, NH
Marblehead Farmer’s Market, Marblehead, MA
Berlin Old Home Day, Berlin, MA
Abbie Griffith Park Concert Series, Merrimack, NH
Osborne Greenhouse Pansy Festival, Marblehead, MA
The Hanover Mall, Hanover, MA
Big Lake Half Marathon, Alton Bay, NH
Pheasant Lane Mall, Nashua, NH
Hollis Old Home Days, Hollis, NH
Alton Bay Pavilion, Alton Bay, NH
Merrimack Concert Association, Merrimack, NH
Daniel Websiter College, Nashua, NH
Colonial Spirit Chorus, Guest, Tewksbury, MA
Littleton Electric Senior Luncheon, Littleton, MA
Westford Museum Concert Series, Westford, MA
Bedford Library Concert Series, Bedford, NH
Nabnasset Country Club, Westford, MA
Applecrest Farms, Hampton Falls, NH
Arbors of Bedford, Bedford, NH
Courville Home, Bedford, NH
Laurel Place, Hudson, NH
The Huntington and The Hunt Community, Nashua, NH

Coffee Houses & Café Music

Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Downeast Concert Collective, UU Church, Ellsworth, ME
Concord Main Street Café, Concord, MA
House Concerts in multiple states
Appalachian Benefit Coffee House, Natick, MA
Mount Washington Cruise Line, Lake Winnepesaukee, NH
Acton Jazz Café, Acton, MA
Vanilla Bean Coffee House, Pomfret, CT
Acoustic Music Café, Milford, NH
Crescent Dragon, Haverhill, MA
Cantab Lounge, Cambridge, MA
Hot Rize Bagel Shop, Merrimack, NH
Johnny D’s Christmas Concert, Cambridge, MA
Village Coffee House, Berlin, MA
Round Room Coffee House, Mont Vernon, NH
Black Cat Café, Laconia NH
Caffe di Sienna, Newburyport, MA
Stagecoach Inn, Groton, MA
Dolphin Striker Lounge, Portsmouth, NH
The Concord Inn, Concord, MA
Barnes & Noble, Nashua, NH
Abenaki Country Club, Hampton, NH
Christine’s Crossing, Hampton, NH
Sit ‘n’ Bull Pub, Maynard, MA
Adventure World RV Center, Shirley, MA

Weddings, Private Functions

Spirit Fiddle has provided wedding music for indoor, outdoor, and church weddings and receptions. Locations have included Old City Hall in Boston, MA; the Sheraton Tara in Nashua, NH; Our Lady of Mercy Church in Merrimack, NH; Leominster Town Commons, MA; Ipswich Country Club, MA: Maison Robert in Boston, MA; North Conway Country Club, NH; Carver, MA; Albany, NY; Hill-Stead House, Farmington, CT; York Beach, ME; Laconia, NH; Bedford, NH; Duxbury, MA; Saco, ME; Botanical Gardens in Boston, MA; Charles Hotel, Cambridge, MA; Chocorua, NH; and aboard the Mount Washington on Lake Winnepesaukee. Spirit Fiddle has also performed for numerous anniversary celebrations, bridal showers, corporate functions, private parties, and funerals.

Recordings

Spirit Fiddle

Full Length Albums:
Mother’s Day Waltz (CD/Cassette, 1999)
Blue Jeans and Gingham (CD/Cassette, 2000)
Café Music (CD, 2003)
New Old Fashioned (CD, 2005)
Rapproche – Come Closer (CD, 2007)
Crossing Borders (CD, 2009)

Selections On:
Fiddler’s Grove – Celebrating 75 Years of Traditional Music (CD, 1999)
Songs for “Karen’s Climb” 1985-2000 (CD, 2000)
Generations — Preserving Traditional Music (CD, 2003)

Robin Warren

Full Length Albums:
Mother’s Favorites (Cassette, 1989)
Don Pedi and Friends (LP, Cassette)

Selections On:
25th Anniversary at Fiddler’s Grove (CD, 1994)
Annual Fiddler’s Grove Festival Albums issued 1977-1984 (LP, Cassette)

TV & Video

Spirit Fiddle

BCAT (Burlington Cable) Spirit Fiddle Kitchen Show, 1998
BCAT Spirit Fiddle Show (4-Piece Band), 1999
BCAT Spirit Fiddle Duo, 2000
BATV (Billerica Cable) Spirit Fiddle Duo, January, 2001
BATV Spirit Fiddle Duo, March 2002
BCTV (Bedford Cable) Concert at the Bedford Library, taped live, May 2002
BCTV New Hampshire Personalities Interview, June, 2002
BATV Spirit Fiddle Duo with Zoel Sawyer, April 2003
BATV Spirit Fiddle Band, Live Concert in Billerica MA, August 2003
BATV Spirit Fiddle at Grotonfest in Groton, MA, September 2003
Commercial for Country Clutter, Salem, NH, August 2003
BATV Spirit Fiddle, Live Concert at Westford Museum, MA, January 2004
BATV Spirit Fiddle at Lowell MA Banjo and Fiddle Contest, September 2004
Soundtrack for Independent Film Me and Mickey D, 2004
BATV Spirit Fiddle Benefit Concert for RIM in Topsfield, MA, March 2006
BATV Spirit Fiddle Benefit Concert for Karen’s Climb Foundation, Merrimack, NH, April 2006
BATV Spirit Fiddle Benefit Concert for Karen’s Climb Foundation, Merrimack, NH, April 2007
BATV Spirit Fiddle, Live Concert at Westford Museum, MA, January 2008

Robin Warren

Featured on the PBS Special entitled Fiddler’s Grove, a Celebration of Old-Time Music (1994)