John Arcand
Encyclopedia
Jean-Baptiste Arcand, born July 19, 1942 at Winter Lake, Saskatchewan, is a Canadian
fiddle
r. Arcand has been writing and performing since childhood, having learned the traditional Red River Métis tunes from his father Victor and his grandfather Jean-Baptiste. With over 250 original tunes written to date, he is being recognized by the Métis community for ensuring that this important tradition survives.
Arcand has recorded many albums including an album of Métis
fiddle tunes with Calvin Vollrath
. With Vollrath, he taught for many years at the Emma Lake Fiddle Camp, run by the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society.. Arcand has been a mentor to many Canadian fiddlers over a long career. On March 28, 2003, The National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Arts and Culture was presented to Arcand at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He was recognized for his contributions and his commitment to the preservation of Métis fiddling. The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship awarded him a lifetime achievement award in 2003. He performed at the launch of Canada's first web-based Métis radio station.
In 2008, Arcand became a member of the Order of Canada
.
The John Arcand Fiddle Fest, held each August on his acreage south of Saskatoon, is attended by fans of fiddle music from around the globe.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
r. Arcand has been writing and performing since childhood, having learned the traditional Red River Métis tunes from his father Victor and his grandfather Jean-Baptiste. With over 250 original tunes written to date, he is being recognized by the Métis community for ensuring that this important tradition survives.
Arcand has recorded many albums including an album of Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
fiddle tunes with Calvin Vollrath
Calvin Vollrath
Calvin Vollrath is a Canadian fiddler and composer. He is one of the best fiddlers in the world. He is also one of the few European-Canadian fiddle players playing professionally in the Métis style. He lives in Alberta....
. With Vollrath, he taught for many years at the Emma Lake Fiddle Camp, run by the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society.. Arcand has been a mentor to many Canadian fiddlers over a long career. On March 28, 2003, The National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Arts and Culture was presented to Arcand at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He was recognized for his contributions and his commitment to the preservation of Métis fiddling. The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship awarded him a lifetime achievement award in 2003. He performed at the launch of Canada's first web-based Métis radio station.
In 2008, Arcand became a member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
.
The John Arcand Fiddle Fest, held each August on his acreage south of Saskatoon, is attended by fans of fiddle music from around the globe.
Partial discography
- Meeyashin (2007)
- Les Michif (2006)
- Vicki and Me...and some of our favorites (2005)
- Thru the Years (2005)
- Original and Traditional (2004)
- Celebrating Tradition (2003)
- Echoes of the Prairie (Recorded 1994 - Re-Released 2002)
- Traditionally Yours (2001)
- Whoa-Ha-Gee (2000)
- Sugar Hill Road (1999)
- The Tunes of the Red River (1998)
- La Celebration '92 (1992)