The Celtic Quintet brings Gaelic musical cultures from both Ireland and Scotland together with strong Iberian and Nordic influences. They play in Bozeman and the surrounding Gallatin Valley delivering ‘live’ music and a jig or two! They strive to bring community and culture together.
The Celtic Quintet was organically formed by traditional music-loving folks whose cultures collided one fine evening at a local pub in Bozeman. Each of the band members comes from different European backgrounds who either immigrated themselves or whose ancestors immigrated to America and have found our homes here in Montana.
The“Cast of Characters”
Leticia brings her rich ‘Madrileña’ Spanish culture into our musical character. She plays the fiddle, whistle, and flute for the Quintet and occasionally adds her beautiful voice. Leticia says her involvement with the Quintet has allowed her to discover the participatory nature of the Celtic jam tradition, “as it provides a beautiful and creative outlet for sharing music in a nonjudgmental, welcoming setting.”
Michele’s Scottish/Irish heritage can be heard through her bodhran as she plays to the rhythms of the northern coast of Northern Ireland. Michelle discovered the bodhran as an ex-pat living in Northern Ireland. There she surrounded herself with traditional Irish music, art, and culture. Michele brings a depth of knowledge and experience in playing this traditional music.
Don, the string bass player, began his musical career at the age of five playing the violin. He has also played keyboards, electric bass guitar, and the pipe organ. But his true love is for the string bass. With that instrument, Don has played many kinds of music including Big Band, Latin-Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Old-Time, Classic Rock, Folk, and now Celtic. Don delivers a sweet sound while pulling his bow across the strings; his final notes at the end of “Leaving Friday Harbour” will leave one completely enamored.
Sue follows Celtic routes from Ireland to Appalachia to Montana when strumming or plucking on either her four- or five-string banjos. Her first love was for classical music until she discovered folk music during the folk revival in the ’60s. There she played guitar and open-back banjo. Sue lived in Scotland for a few years where she was first introduced to Celtic music. Now retired, Sue has found great joy in learning and playing Celtic music on her banjos.
Kneal is a smooth “finger-picker” on the acoustic steel-string guitar which he learned while studying classical music as a young lad. His interest in Scottish culture and music is rooted in listening to the pipe bands and solo players perform on the great highland pipes while his daughter competed as a Scottish Highland Dancer. As a retiree, Kneal is pleased and thrilled to continue pursuing his interest in Celtic music while performing rhythm through his finger-style guitar playing.