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Celtic duo Stanley & Grimm entertain with a celebration of traditional music through old and new interpretations of jigs, reels, and songs played with lively fiddle, guitar, and voice. Fiddler Nikki Engstrom and singer/guitarist Sean Brennan create a musical journey through a bounty of fiddle tunes and ballads of all origins, alongside modern tunes and songs they have composed. Timed for this St. Patrick’s Day season, their concert at the Walpole Public Library on Saturday afternoon, March 11, at 1:00, is free of charge and all are welcome, thanks to the Friends of the Walpole Public Library.
The duo’s second CD, “Another Round,” was awarded the Celtic Radio Music Award for the 2008 Album of the Year, and also took top honors in the “Jigs & Reels” category. Celtic Radio Network describes their music as “emotionally stirring, exhilarating, perfectly splendid!” The infectious fun they have on stage and their intense playing have helped them to become fan favorites on the New England traditional music scene. Their newest CD, “Open the Gate,” is available now.
Nikki has delighted audiences for over two decades with her spirited and sensitive playing. Through a broad range of fiddle music from old and new sets of jigs and reels to slow airs, with Sean’s warm vocals and rhythmic guitar, Stanley & Grimm capture the essence and energy of great traditional music.
Having met and played together at local sessions on Cape Cod, Nikki and Sean made their debut appearance as Stanley & Grimm at the 2005 Cape Cod Celtic Festival where they opened for the internationally known Cape Breton group Beolach. In the following years, they have recorded three CDs of traditional material and original compositions and arrangements, opened shows for Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Liz Carroll & John Doyle, and traveled throughout New England playing concerts, house parties, festivals, weddings and pubs to a growing base of fans.
Nikki Engstrom is an accomplished, award-winning fiddler and teaches many workshops at festivals throughout the year while maintaining more than 30 full-time private students on Cape Cod. She has performed, competed, and taught throughout New England and Canada. In addition to her inspired and intense fiddle playing, Nikki has composed many original tunes, including “Little Hawk” and “The Huntress.”
Sean Brennan has been playing in sessions and entertaining in pubs for many years in Boston and on Cape Cod, performing as guest accompanist for well-known artists such as Eamon Coyne, Patsy Whelan, and the late Jerry Holland, as well as regular performances with Dublin balladeer Dave Hickey. In addition to the diverse ballads and songs Sean has collected in his extensive repertoire, he has also written many of his own songs, including fan favorites “Galway Senorita” and “Last Night’s Fun.”
One might wonder why the duo call themselves Stanley and Grimm when neither member has those names. They’ll tell that little “secret” at their concert.
Further details are available at www.walpolelibraryfriends.org.
