The Fitzgerald family boasts a myriad of talents, including 鈥� but not limited to 鈥� the skill of living and working together every day, a handful of Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Championships, and a high-energy, highly-talented band: Everything Fitz.
Having toured Canada and the US for the last 10 years, the family of six has a lot of experience between them and it shows.
鈥淥riginally we started playing for local fundraiser shows, and eventually started travelling further and further away,鈥� said Julie Fitzgerald, fiddler extraordinaire.
The band is well-known for its unique blend of traditional fiddle classics and a more modern sound, using their combined musical talents to blend the two worlds seamlessly.
鈥淲e grew up playing old-time fiddle music, and competed at a lot of fiddle/step dance competitions in Ontario,鈥� said Julie. 鈥淎fter the competitions were over, we would stay up late playing and learning tunes from all different parts of the world.
鈥淲e listened to a lot of CDs as well and learned by ear, so we had a lot of musical influences growing up so we were able to blend these different styles together to achieve a unique sound.鈥�
The Fitzgerald children, Julie, Tom and Kerry, say they like to mix pop riffs with Celtic melodies.
鈥淭om and I both went to Humber College for music, and were exposed to endless musical genres, as well as classes on writing, arranging, theory, and recording techniques,鈥� said Julie.
When it comes to seeing each other almost 24/7, the Fitzgeralds have found a balance that allows them to do what they love with the people they love.
鈥淎 lot of people think that it鈥檚 a difficult thing to perform and work as a family, but we get along really well and love what we do.鈥�
鈥淥f course we are a normal family in that we will have the odd disagreement, but we are good team players and realize regardless of who you are performing with, it takes a lot of communication and teamwork to be in a band.鈥�
And the best part?
鈥淲e get to tour around and see the world as a family. 聽It鈥檚 like a whole bunch of family vacations.鈥�
She said the band also recognizes the importance of taking time to relax, and before a show you can often find Everything Fitz running around outside playing frisbee and cranking tunes.
When the band rolls into town on April 6, Jasper can expect a high energy show, with lots of step dancing.
鈥淲e do a lot of improvising, so even though the tune doesn鈥檛 change, little parts here and there will change,鈥� said Julie.
Everything Fitz will be at the Legion on April 6 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Tash Loh |聽special to the 51暗网
