The Cats and the Fiddle is the Shuswap band that features fiddles and five part vocals with intricate harmonies. Susan Aylard on fiddle, Sonja Heide on fiddle and guitar, Heather Harris on guitar, Adrienna MacKnee on drums and Natalie Sherwood on bass and keyboards.
The band is mostly instrumental with fiddle music from the East to the West Coast, a little Bluegrass, a hint of Classical and a whole lot of fun. The vocal numbers sound like a mix of the Wailin'Jennys and the Rankin Sisters. Originally borrowing music from these bands and other folk/fiddle bands, the Cats have regularly been adding their own originals and arrangements. All of the ladies come from diverse musical backgrounds that make picking up new instruments easy.
The Band has successfully sold copies of their first two Cd's worldwide and received CBC airtime. Their Christmas Cd with original carols is to be released in 2010.
The band has performed at numerous fundraisers including the major 2003 Tsunami Relief Funds, Rotary Lobster Fests and Hospital Fundraisers, Relay for Life and King's Christian School. The band has been hired regularly to entertain at summer arts festivals in Salmon Arm, Enderby, Kamloops and Revelstoke, as well as the Salmon Arm Fall Fair, Children's Festival, Haney Heritage Park and community Canada Day events throughout the Shuswap. The band was very excited to play at the Interior Provincial Exhibition this past summer. The Cat's spring tour to the lower mainland included concerts at the Chilliwack Arts Centre and a Vancouver benefit show.
The Grand finale for the 2008 season was performing as guest artists with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra for their "Festival of Christmastide" concert in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon. Susan performed as featured soloist for Canadian composer Jean Coulthard's "The Bird of Dawning Singeth All Night Long" for violin and orchestra. She then put on her boots and led her band in energetic and colorful Celtic arrangements and innovative Christmas carol fiddling.
What people are saying.
"Brava Bella, you (Sue) stole the show with your schnazzy playing and prancing! .all of you girls were just fabulous, you sure know how to have fun.Absolutely Brilliant! -Sylvie, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra
"I have had the pleasure of working with the Cats and the Fiddle and it's a truly amazing experience watching these virtuoso musicians play." -Barry Mathers, the Cruzeros
"Cats and the Fiddle.gifted players, awesome harmonies, delightful repertoire, wonderful interpretations.an absolutely fine band of extremely talented musicians." Curtis Tulman, the Cruzeros
"Mom, when I listen to this music it makes me feel like I'm dancing across the sky with the stars." Jade Penner, age 9.
