“Fusion” has been a buzzword in Irish music for a while now. Technically defined as “The merging of different elements into a union”, in trad, it usually manifests by a jazz or rock groove being added to whatever traditional piece is being played by a traditional group.

Even in the realm of fusion though, fiddler Jeremy Kittel is unique. A rewarded and accomplished musician in the genres of Celtic, jazz, and classical, Kittel’s new CD “Chasing Sparks” is not meant to be a fusion album but a trad album made by an artist who is constantly trying to stretch his own boundaries.

“I wrote most of these tunes with no intention of combining styles – rather, they were just embellishments of melodies and sounds that were floating around in my head,” says Kittel. “The first CD I did (2000’s ‘Celtic Fiddle’) was more traditional – and I love playing trad tunes – but I had a period of a few years where I was writing a lot of fiddle tunes that were a little quirky in some way or a little bit different like in B major or with a different melodic structure than usual. I wanted the record to be focused around these new melodies and I wanted to use them for branching out into new arrangements and to have some improvisations in there. “

FOLK WORLD JEREMY KITTEL – Chasing Sparks Compass Records 4531 11 tracks, 65 minutes If you’re one of those people who find sleeve notes an irritation, never read them, can’t get them back into the case, and frequently throw them away, then this album is perfect for you.  Over an hour of fiddle music, from [...]

Sunday, November 8 at The Ark, Ann Arbor, Michigan, to celebrate the release of Chasing Sparks (see below). Be there, even if you have to hitchhike! And whatever you do, don’t talk on your cellphone while driving to the launch! Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 7:30 pm. More info available right here.

My new album, Chasing Sparks, has just been released, AND we’ve just designed this new website! I invite you to listen to samples, learn more about my music, download high-res photos and check out our tour schedule to see if we’re playing near you. – All the best, Jeremy

It’s in the can!  My fellow Turtle Island Quartet members and I, along with some stellar help from vibraphonist Stefon Harris and mandolinist Mike Marshall, have completed work on our “Hendrix” record, entitled “Have You Ever Been.”  Recorded at the cavernous film scoring studios at legendary Skywalker Ranch, “Have You Ever Been” is set to [...]