Rigel

Charged with youthful exuberance and musical excellence, the dynamic foursome that is Rigel blasted onto the Celtic music scene with a formula all their own: one part Irish and Scottish traditional melodies and driving Cape Breton rhythm; and one part dynamic new compositions and eclectic arrangements. All these elements are revved up a notch by powerhouse performances and the unmistakable passion of four musicians who love their music.

How did four young musicians from the Midwest come together to forge such an exciting eclectic sound? How is it that this sound transcends all age groups and manages to seamlessly tie together a plethora of regional,cultural and stylistic influences into a cohesive sound that captivates audiences wherever they plug in? The answer is found in Rigel's attention to the sound that they love and their ability to connect and compose pieces that pull from all of their musical backgrounds and talents. At Rigel's musical core is brother and sister duo of Shay and Evan Carlson. After their classical training took an unexpected turn into the Celtic realm, Shay and Evan quickly realized that their passion lay in this exciting and versatile genre. As they began to explore the roads that led down the traditional Celtic music path, they discovered a treasure that they could draw from to create a new and fresh style with all the character of the original pieces. Early on, they joined forces with the phenomenal mando/ guitar musician Mark Bilhorn who shared their excitement for the music and with his incredible skill, further propelled their sound into a style that is uniquely Rigel. The finishing touch was the addition of drums and percussion which adds a dramatic depth and is skillfully articulated by master drummer Phil Reese.

Together, these four passionate young musicians who love to make music will have your toes tapping, your hands clapping and will leave you begging for more.