Alba's Edge at

Alba’s Edge is a tapestry of cultures: the expressive melodies of Scottish fiddle music are woven together with jazz improvisation and harmony, funk bass lines and the rhythms of Latin America to form a cohesive and singular musical experience. Fiddle, piano, drums and bass come together seamlessly in a new sound that BBC Radio Scotland has called “a wonderful concoction”. Fresh off a US State Department funded tour of Mexico, Alba’s Edge performs and leads clinics across the US and internationally at venues ranging from house concerts to festival stages. Some notable past appearances include: The 1st International Celtic Music Festival of Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico), The New World Festival (Randolph, VT), The Crossroads Celtic Festival (Bethel, ME) 2 tours of the Pacific Northwest and numerous other festivals and tours throughout New England and the Mid Atlantic....

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Alba’s Edge is a tapestry of cultures: the expressive melodies of Scottish fiddle music are woven together with jazz improvisation and harmony, funk bass lines and the rhythms of Latin America to form a cohesive and singular musical experience. Fiddle, piano, drums and bass come together seamlessly in a new sound that BBC Radio Scotland has called “a wonderful concoction”. Fresh off a US State Department funded tour of Mexico, Alba’s Edge performs and leads clinics across the US and internationally at venues ranging from house concerts to festival stages. Some notable past appearances include: The 1st International Celtic Music Festival of Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico), The New World Festival (Randolph, VT), The Crossroads Celtic Festival (Bethel, ME) 2 tours of the Pacific Northwest and numerous other festivals and tours throughout New England and the Mid Atlantic.

Pianist and bandleader Neil Pearlman comes from a musical background uniquely suited to such a project. Raised in a family deeply rooted in Scottish music and dance, Neil studied jazz piano extensively growing up and further expanded his musical horizons into Brazilian, Afro-Colombian and Cuban music while studying in New York. Neil’s sister, fiddler Lilly Pearlman has had a similar artistic journey, growing up with Scottish culture and falling in love with the dance and music of Brazil, Cuba and beyond. In the wake of Neil’s solo CD Coffee and the Mojo Hat (Paddledoo Music, 2011), which explored the connections between these seemingly disparate musical worlds, Neil and Lilly joined forces to create Alba’s Edge. The band is rounded out by drummer/percussionist Jacob Cole and bassist Doug Berns, both multi-faceted and versatile musicians in the Boston and New York music scenes. A recent graduate of New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Jacob brings a deep knowledge of Latin rhythms and the sensitivity of a seasoned jazz drummer to the group. Meanwhile Doug lays down the groove with his distinctive bass playing, honed in the funk, afro-beat and jazz communities of New York City.

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