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Sandy MacKay

Musician

506-977-1278

www.artslinknb.com

Background and Training: Sandy’s 1st public performance as a musician occured when he presented a piece of Gord Lightfoots’ music as his own in grade 5. Stage set. His mama sent him to bagpipe lessons shortly thereafter. Punishment or outlet? We'll never know.

He trained as a piper from 1974 with the Col John McRae Legion band in Guelph Ontario, and studied other instruments and vocals using the above mentioned "folk process" and more formally, music theory and history at University of Guelph.

Today, Sandy is a multi-instrumentalist, who has performed at hundreds of interesting and varied venues. Currently, Sandy performs with 2 bands: "The Moots" play to limited audiences in Grove Hill New Brunswick; and "The Banned" tour from Moose Island to Hampton and Nauwigewauk. Sandy recently provided the soundscapes for Kathy Hooper’s Icon Series at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

Career Highlights: Sandy has traversed the world using the bagpipes to help finance travel. Remarkably, folks are always happy to help him move along to the next venue. Sandy’s ability to perform professionally on multiple instruments have landed him work in theatre, at buskers' festivals, dances and events, including a tour to Cape Breton with legendary fiddler Alec Lewis MacDonald.

Artist’s Statement: "The music I love resonates in my dreams. When I hear something inspiring, I’ll dream those sounds for days, or nights rather... I work to re-create those sounds, that music that stretches my norms and digs into a soft spot. I love practising, building the puzzles of sound formed by the interplay with other musicians."

Areas of Focus: Ambient soundscapes. Celtic, maritime fiddle, folk, minimalist pop music and song-writing.

As the Director of ArtsLink NB, Sandy is focussed on the development of this anglophone arts network, working to build communications and synergy in the arts community around the province. he says "Meeting the artists in their workplace and seeing the positive energy and growth potential in the province is very exciting."