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The MacKenzie Project is simply one of the most exciting new ensembles in Celtic music today. A “supergroup” of sorts, it features some of the hottest young performers from both sides of the Atlantic , with each member coming to the group from successful careers in their own right. The concept for the group grew out of Roseanne MacKenzie’s desire to continue her career, especially as a touring artist, in the wake of the break-up of the well-known Cape Breton quartet The Cottars in the Summer of 2006. A dynamic fiddler, stepdancer, and harmony vocalist, the 16 year-old Roseanne thought it was far too early to hang up her bow and dance shoes. What she needed were some partners in crime.

Her first recruit was her guitarist brother Jimmy MacKenzie, 19, also formerly of The Cottars. Jimmy is an ace guitarist and bodhran player, but also brings a sarcastic deadpan wit to the stage. Next came the phenomenal PEI-based fiddler, stepdancer, and overall force of nature Richard Wood. In this incarnation, Richard will at times join Roseanne on fiddle, but he will also feature prominently on piano, a core instrument in the Atlantic Canadian Celtic tradition. He will also play the role of “old man” in the group, at age 28. Finally Roseanne reached out across the Atlantic for a lead vocalist, the stunning Pauline Scanlon, 25. Pauline’s vocals have been described as by one prominent critic as “singing [that] seeps into and ultimately unmasks the secrets of the soul.” (Irish Echo, 2006). Pauline is truly one of Celtic music’ brightest young stars, and Roseanne is thrilled and honored to have her say yes to The MacKenzie Project.

A world-class Celtic band at its core, The MacKenzie Project will bring to the stage a potent blend of styles and traditions, with concerts featuring everything from blazing Cape Breton fiddle sets, to powerhouse vocals, to precision stepdance routines; everything from ancient reels and strathspeys to Pauline’s Celtic-contemporary take on songs such as Don McLean’s “And I Love You So”. The MacKenzie Project is soon to become an undeniable force on the Celtic touring scene.