The Pipes by North Atlantic Drift and the Toronto Brass Quintet

The Pipes

This project represents the first joint musical endeavour of partners Jen Stephen of the Toronto Brass Quintet and Dan MacDonald of North Atlantic Drift. Having always agreed that the classical and Celtic worlds could unite in a beautiful way, the two approached their ensembles in January of 2021 with an exciting proposal to collaborate. After a few zoom meetings and the exchange of many tunes and ideas, it became apparent that there was a shared sense of what the two groups could bring to one another and with that, undeniable potential.

It began with an exploration of some of the music you encounter in the Celtic world: a one-thousand-year-old march, a one-hundred-year-old strathspey and some standard Irish reels. The Toronto Brass Quintet took these ideas and ran with them. Between the enthusiasm of the brass players, the arranging skills of the members of the ensemble, and Jen and Dan’s intimate knowledge of the music, the group proceeded to arrange five more pieces. It was a musical adventure, exciting and new.

The title The Pipes refers to the combination of the wooden pipes and the brass pipes and certainly the record showcases North Atlantic Drift’s Ross Griffiths. The selections are traditional Uilleann pipe tunes, pipe music from Northumbria and two pieces that demonstrate our admiration of the great Uilleann piper, Seamus Ennis. The idea evolved in the studio, with the quintet continuously tweaking the arrangements to bring out the best in the traditional approach and to strengthen it with the sounds made available by the brass instruments.

The Pipes is the reflection of a unique musical relationship; it is, by accident and circumstance, a confluence of cultures bringing out the best in each other. Incredible musical ability, arranging talent and a shared commitment to the idea have brought forth this music, soaked in tradition and with a strong accent. The result is a collaboration in the truest sense. (Or – just two words.

danmacdonald.org