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Our intrepid caller, Bill White, initiated the Big Nights
to fulfil a dream of seeing dances that blended Irish, Québécois
and other traditions in Montreal. When he's not calling in both official languages, he
is playing bodhran in a musical language all his own.
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Karen Iny, fiddle, creator of the famous Big Night tuques, whose
strong fiddling, radiant good humour and fierce thirst are central to the band's
sound and presence.
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Brad Hurley, flute and tin whistle, is what the Irish call "a lovely flute player"
(Frenchwomen tend to agree).
[We just call him "a flute player with altitude" -- Ed.]
Brad keeps the Big Night sound fluid and lyrical.
He has written a very popular
Guide to the Irish flute.
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Steve Jones, tin whistle, accordion, and amputé du violon.
His whistling adds a bubbly cheerfulness to the band's sound.
[How about "irritating"? Ed.]
He has encouraged many people around the world to make, er,
bubbly sounds as
Brother Steve.
He took up the button accordion a short while ago in an attempt to sound
less inconsequential.
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Martine Billette is our superb pianist, and also a magnificent step
dancer - she enlivens our Big Nights with a solo number or two.
Martine is in great demand as an accompanist, and dances with
the trio
Rapetipetam.
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Fall 2004. We have persuaded our good friend Robert Leonard to join us on
tenor banjo - not because he's Irish, or anything like that, but to keep Brad company at high altitudes.
We did ask him to play piano accordion with us as well, but Robert felt that just one
of the most reviled instruments in Irish music ought to suffice. Never fear - "Dr. Robert"
is one of the most tasteful tenor banjoists around.
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