Raised in an Irish musical household in Asheville, North Carolina Andrew “Finn the Fiddler” Magill grew up studying with many of the world’s best traditional American and Irish fiddlers at The Swannanoa Gathering music workshops. At age 18, his debut album Drive & Lift was featured multiple times on NPR and his 2016 two-disc project Roots and Branches debuted at #46 on the Folk DJ charts. Says grammy-winner Americana artist Tim O’Brien:
“He has learned from and now plays with the best in the genre. On Branches you can hear a new musical voice emerging. I’m gonna keep listening for Finn Magill.”
In 2014 Finn moved to Rio de Janeiro and plunged head on into Brazilian choro music, studying with some of the most accomplished in the genre including Luís Barcelos, Nicolas Krassik and Pedro Paes. Gradually absorbing other Brazilian traditions such as forró, samba, and bossa nova, Canta, Violino! is the product of years of study and performance with Rio’s diverse musicians. Writes Brazilian percussion legend Airto Moreira of Chick Corea and Miles Davis:
“Its nice to see fresh, young musicians carrying on the traditions of Brazilian music. Finn Magill displays a love and authenticity that can fool you into thinking he is from Brazil. His style is playful and light, yet soulful and passionate. Congratulations!”
Magill merges his folk background and more than fifteen years of jazz study with the Brazilian musical language he has spent the last three years studying, all on an instrument seldom associated with Brazilian music: the violin. The result is uncharted territory for both the violin and Brazilian music.
Brazilian Strings Trio joins three of the most innovative instrumentalists on the contemporary Brazilian musical scene. Ted Falcon, mandolin and violin, Andrew Finn Magill, violin and Nando Duarte, 7 string guitar.
