Montreal band Bùmarang returns to P.E.I.

A strong tie to P.E.I. has lead to a Celtic group making a return visit this summer for more shows.

Bùmarang is from Montreal, and features the talents of P.E.I. native Kate Bevan-Baker on violin. She's joined by Dave Gossage on flute, whistle and harmonica, and Sarah Page playing harp and signing.

Their music is a unique blend, fusing Celtic with classical, jazz, and world music.

As Gossage explained on Mainstreet P.E.I., the group came together from a series of collaborations in Montreal.

"Kate and I played Celtic music regularly in a pub in Montreal, Hurley's Irish Pub," he said. "I play jazz music as well, and I've been also playing Celtic music for a long time. So it's wanting to mix the different styles.

"And with Sarah, I play in this big Egyptian band, because Sarah plays harp, so we've all been working together in all these different projects, but I guess that Celtic music scene would be the thread that ties our instruments together, me being a flautist, Kate playing fiddle and Sarah the harp, the three classic Celtic instruments."

Different Celtic sounds

Although Celtic music is certainly common these days in concerts, it's not often that audiences hear these instruments together.

"It's funny, because it is one of the oldest combinations in Celtic music, but in more modern music, it's always guitar," said Gossage. "We'll play some straight trad jigs, and then all of a sudden you go, 'Oh, that sounds like we're in Ireland, really old Ireland,' it doesn't sound like the newer stuff, North American stuff, it sounds much more like the traditional Irish music."

The group hopes to have a full album out next spring, and in the meantime, brought along a five-track EP that will be coming out in the next few days, even sharing an world premiere of a cut for Island listeners.

"We figured there was a market for Latin bluesgrass on P.E.I.," joked Gossage about another unique fusion on the disc.

They have several shows to see if that theory is correct, starting with a Victoria Playhouse concert Monday night.

The group members all say this has become their fun project.

"With an album coming out and being developed, it certainly is something that I think all of us would like to make more time for, it's something I really enjoy," said Page.

Business vacation

For Islander Bevan-Baker, it truly is mixing business with pleasure.

Not only does she get to visit family while on tour, she gets to stretch her abilities.

"I haven't played in a trio formation like this in a really long time, and it's just nice to have a different project that we can focus our energies on that isn't our usual day-to-day routine," she explained.

"We never really know what's coming next so we all feel comfortable experimenting with different things, and bringing new songs and tunes to the table."

The table is set for more shows before Bùmarang heads back to Montreal.

On Friday the group is doing a ceilidh for the Benevolent Irish Society in Charlottetown, Saturday they are at the market from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., and Saturday night there's a concert at King's Playhouse in Georgetown.

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