Home Routes folk concert: Brian Conway and Cate Sandstrom
THE FIDDLE holds a central place in Irish musical tradition, with distinctive regional styles shaped by generations of expressive ornamentation, intricate bowing, and rhythmic variation. In the early 1900s, Irish immigrants brought these traditions to New York, where the lyrical Sligo Style evolved into the New York Sligo Style, known for its added drive and swing. Influenced by legendary fiddler Michael Coleman and carried forward by musicians such as Andy McGann and Paddy Reynolds, this tradition remains a vital part of Irish music. Bronx-born fiddler Brian Conway, a direct link to Coleman through his teachers, has dedicated his career to preserving and sharing this rich musical heritage. As one of the world’s premier Irish fiddlers and a renowned teacher, Conway continues to pass the Sligo Style to a new generation of musicians, including Cate Sandstrom.