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The Macaroon Ceilidh Band - flying fiddles over solid rhythmic piano. More...

orchestra macaroon

Hear samples of Orchestra Macaroon trio live:

Orchestra Macaroon formed in 2004, from a group of musicians who got together to create an album, Breakfast In Balquhidder. The critically acclaimed album consists of original compositions by Colin Blakey, and features combinations of percussion, yang qin, horns, strings, and several species of bagpipes, around a core trio of piano, double bass and drums. The group has played live in various guises since.

Orchestra Macaroon is currently recording a second album and performing live as a three-piece band, consisting of Colin Blakey on Galician pipes, flute, tin whistle and percussion; Philippa Bull on accordion, violin and percussion; and Pete French on piano and percussion. The group had warm receptions at the Ingleton Folk Weekend and at the Dent Folk Festival earlier in the year. The music consists of original material together with arrangements of tunes from many places - Portugal, Galicia, China, France, Thailand and more. You can hear three samples in the player at the top of this page.

The tracks are:

The Ruby Tango: written by Colin, this piece draws on the flavours and rhythms of the Argentine.

Nanny Water: also written by Colin, a gentle, pastoral-sounding waltz inspired by the River Nanny in Co. Meath, Ireland.

A Breton Andro: a dance tune typically played at the Breton Fies Nos festivals. Colin was given this piece by accordionist Sharon Shannon when they were members of The Waterboys.

Critics described it as "the best roots music I've heard in ages", "shot through with joyful melody", "a glorious fusion of sounds and musics", "a wake-up call to the dead". Orchestra Macaroon's Breakfast In Balquhidder CD is available here. More...

To find out more about Orchestra Macaroon or to book the band for your event, please contact us.