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Inn Echo is a 2025 JUNO-nominated trad trio crafting a cinematic, high-energy sound rooted in Celtic traditions. With fierce fiddle, grooving guitar, and soaring cello, they blend original compositions and bold arrangements that push the boundaries of traditional music.
Rhythmic, dynamic, and endlessly evolving, their sound is both grounded in heritage and thrillingly fresh. Formed in 2019 after meeting at a pub session in Charlottetown, Karson McKeown (Ottawa), Tuli Porcher (Victoria), and Tom Gammons (Montana) quickly found a musical kinship that’s since led to Music PEI awards and JUNO, ECMA, and CFMA nominations. Their 2023 album, Hemispheres, reflects the landscapes and stories of their international tours, with vivid tracksinspired by places like Vancouver Island, Queensland, and coastal Acadian communities. Whether invoking an island kitchen party or a quiet starlit sky, Inn Echo plays with heart, precision, and joy. Pull up a chair, but keep your dancing shoes on—Inn Echo has stories to share and the tunes to match them. |
Tintenbar Hall
Sunday 15 March @ 5:00 Workshops @ 2:00 $25 BYO Other refreshments available |
WORKSHOPS
Join Karson McKeown and Tom Gammons of Inn Echo for an engaging and hands-on suite of workshops designed for fiddle players and guitarists alike! Both sessions dive into the skills, techniques, and musical awareness needed to play traditional and contemporary Celtic-inspired tunes with confidence and creativity.
Workshop 1 — Fiddle Techniques with KarsonInstructor: Karson McKeown (fiddle)
Karson brings a vibrant energy and deep understanding of fiddle traditions from the Ottawa Valley to the East Coast. In this workshop you’ll explore:
• Core fiddle techniques used in Celtic and traditional tunes
• Bowing patterns, articulation, and rhythmic drive
• How to shape melody, ornamentation, and phrasing for expressive playing
• Ways to listen and respond musically in group tunes or jam sessions
Whether you’re a beginner working on confidence or an intermediate player exploring stylistic nuance, Karson’s guidance helps build both technical skill and musical intuition.
Workshop 2 — Guitar Accompaniment with TomInstructor: Tom Gammons (guitar)
Tom focuses on the art of accompanying fiddle and other melody instruments in traditional music. Key topics include:
• Chord choices and rhythmic patterns that support reels, jigs, and airs
• Techniques for locking in with fiddle rhythms and phrasing
• How to craft tasteful fills, drive the groove, and enhance ensemble sound
• Tips for playing confidently in sessions and performances
This session is ideal for guitarists who want to go beyond basic rhythm strumming and learn how to be an active musical partner in group playing.
Join Karson McKeown and Tom Gammons of Inn Echo for an engaging and hands-on suite of workshops designed for fiddle players and guitarists alike! Both sessions dive into the skills, techniques, and musical awareness needed to play traditional and contemporary Celtic-inspired tunes with confidence and creativity.
Workshop 1 — Fiddle Techniques with KarsonInstructor: Karson McKeown (fiddle)
Karson brings a vibrant energy and deep understanding of fiddle traditions from the Ottawa Valley to the East Coast. In this workshop you’ll explore:
• Core fiddle techniques used in Celtic and traditional tunes
• Bowing patterns, articulation, and rhythmic drive
• How to shape melody, ornamentation, and phrasing for expressive playing
• Ways to listen and respond musically in group tunes or jam sessions
Whether you’re a beginner working on confidence or an intermediate player exploring stylistic nuance, Karson’s guidance helps build both technical skill and musical intuition.
Workshop 2 — Guitar Accompaniment with TomInstructor: Tom Gammons (guitar)
Tom focuses on the art of accompanying fiddle and other melody instruments in traditional music. Key topics include:
• Chord choices and rhythmic patterns that support reels, jigs, and airs
• Techniques for locking in with fiddle rhythms and phrasing
• How to craft tasteful fills, drive the groove, and enhance ensemble sound
• Tips for playing confidently in sessions and performances
This session is ideal for guitarists who want to go beyond basic rhythm strumming and learn how to be an active musical partner in group playing.
