Kimberley Holmes, fiddler and piano accompanist from Nova Scotia recently posted a video on Facebook. It was a video of Yvon Cuillerier, a fiddler from Ste. Bruno, Québec (maybe 100 miles north of Québec City), playing a couple tunes the day after his 90th birthday at the home of Camelion and Marie Ross in St Bruno. The date was Nov 3, 2019. Kimberley says: “I met Yvon in 1989 in Pembroke, Ontario (pembrokefiddlestepdance.com). It’s the biggest fiddle contest in Canada. I followed him around like a puppy dog. I don’t know the name of the first tune, it’s a Joe Bouchard tune I don’t know the name of the first tune (I asked Rachel Aucoin, who asked Sabin Jacques, who asked Denis Pepin and finally out popped the answer. The tune is: “Reel du Lac Jacob” in the key of C – bill). The next 2 are “Whitefish on the Rapids” then “Mittens Breakdown,” both in Bb.

Listen to (and watch) this guy play! WOW! So smooth and perfectly in tune! And he’s not just “playing the notes”, it’s very nuanced. And what a performer. He knows where the camera is, I love the little expressions he makes when he does something cool, and even recognizing when someone walks in the room, while not missing a beat. Kimberley is obviously having a great time too.. So THIS is the guy I want to be like when I’m 90!!!

There’s not a lot online about Yvon. Here’s what I found: “Born in Chomedey in 1929, Yvon begins to play the violin at 14 years old but it is at the age of 18 that his love for folklore begins. With the encouragement of his father, he studied intensely musical theory by correspondence. With this initiation and especially by hundreds of hours of practice, he perfected a remarkable technique. With determination and persistence, he will win almost all the competitions of great importance across Canada and USA. Yvon Cuillerier is an example and a source of inspiration for all musicians of the folk scene of Québec and elsewhere. His drive and motivation effect is unparalleled. Irish music, jazz, classical and popular part of various musical styles performed by the virtuoso.

With his legendary strength and having an inexhaustible repertoire, he is often the last to finish the evenings. Outstanding ambassador of our folk heritage, with a endearing humility and endowed with an exceptional musical talent, Yvon never hesitates to share his knowledge and encourage us in the discovery and understanding of the many facets of this art. We must be proud of this artist who makes us proud wherever it occurs. His name will remain in the annals of folklore as one of our greatest fiddler in Quebec.”

Here’s a note on Yvon from Doug Protsik, Maine Fiddle Camp’s director: “Ben Guillemette, who as a renowned Maine fiddler and champion of many contests and awards, was a friend of Yvon’s and always said he was the best fiddler he ever knew (Ben and Yvon often competed against each other at fiddle contests on both sides of the border – back in the day – bill. This coming from Ben, who had the highest standards of fiddling and was not prone to faint praise, is an amazing tribute to Yvon. Frank Ferrel had the same appreciation for him as well. Safe to say he was the best ever!”

Sadly Yvon passed away at the age of 90 on September 7th, 2020

And once again, don’t forget to tune in to Pam Weeks’ and my weekly Tuesday night online mini-concert and jam. here’s the info: Tuesday night Online jam session and mini-concert with Pam Weeks and Bill Olson – FolkWorks

See y’all next month (or next Tuesday!) – bill