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Master fiddler Jeremy Kittel returns to Victoria with his genre-defying trio

The Live Music series at the Upstairs Lounge hosts Jeremy Kittel trio on Oct. 27.
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The Jeremy Kittel Trio hits the Upstairs Lounge stage Friday, seamlessly blending traditional roots, jazz, Celtic and classical styles.

“I haven’t found a genre I don’t like,” says Kittel, a Grammy Nominated artist and an award-winning fiddler, violinist, and composer.

The trio, consisting of Jeremy Kittel on violin, viola and vocals, Joshua Pinkham on mandolin and Quinn Bachand on guitar, stops in Victoria during a West Coast tour in advance of their upcoming album release. They are looking forward to the return to what Kittel calls: “The Jeweled City.”

This show is part of a concert series taking place in The Upstairs Lounge at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre. The Lounge is a licensed restaurant, doors open at 6 pm for dinner service, the concert starts at 7:30 pm

Kittel is a master in Celtic, classical, jazz, and bluegrass traditions, and is gifted in fusing and revitalizing these diverse styles. He has been a guest artist with several symphony orchestras, and has performed around the world at venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Bonnaroo and the Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland.

On mandolin, Josh Pinkham - who has been named “the future of the mandolin” by Mandolin Magazine - has established himself as a striking performer, composer and recording artist. He continues to push his mandolin into new and old territory, excelling in Bluegrass, Newgrass, Jazz and Classical music.

Quinn Bachand, on guitar, plays a range of styles that include jazz and bluegrass. His unique harmonies, hard-driving strumming, inventive chord voicing and powerful rhythmic effects make even the most well-worn tunes seem new and exciting. He has also toured nationally and internationally with Canadian fiddling icons Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster. Quinn was born and raised in Victoria.

Kittel & Co’s highly anticipated new album is set to release early next year. The album adds members Nathaniel Smith on cello and Simon Chrisman on hammered dulcimer.

The Jeremy Kittel Trio performs Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6) in Oak Bay Recreation’s Upstairs Lounge, 1975 Bee St. Tickets are $20 in advance at Ivy’s Bookshop and Oak Bay Recreation or online at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/jeremy-kittel-trio-tickets-34157030598. Tickets are $25 at the door. Get a taste of the band at jeremykittel.com.