Sandy MacIntyre

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Sandy MacIntyre
Birth nameHugh Alexander MacIntyre
Born1935 (1935)
Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
DiedNovember 24, 2021(2021-11-24) (aged 86)
Occupation(s)Fiddler
Instrument(s)Violin

Hugh Alexander “Sandy” MacIntyre (1935–2021) was one of the most respected artists in the tradition of Cape Breton fiddle music.

Early life

Sandy was born into a family of musicians in

fiddlers. Cassie had long been considered one of the liveliest square dance fiddlers in the county. Sandy was one of fourteen children, most of whom played musical instruments. He started playing the pump organ at age 8 or 9 chording for family members and visiting fiddlers. At about age 16 he took up the fiddle, learning by ear. He also learned the guitar and in high school he was a drummer in the Inverness Pipe Band
.

Career

Sandy moved to

Bloor Viaduct in Toronto. Sandy was one of the feature artists in the Mirvish production of “Needfire”, a Celtic musical, from 1998 – 2000 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre and the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. He displayed the unique and traditional style of Cape Breton fiddling during numerous stage appearances throughout the show. Sandy has been a feature performer for many years at the Celtic Colours International Festival [2] in Cape Breton. In 2009, the festival paid tribute to Sandy, to thank him for all he has done to preserve the music. His Toronto family band Steeped in Tradition [3], joined him for this concert in the beautiful St. Matthew's Church in his beloved Inverness. At Sandy's request, he was joined by some of his "teacher's pets", former students Jeff Gosse, Colin Grant [4], Kimberley Fraser [5] and Dawn & Margie Beaton [6]
.

Sandy worked as a manager at Air Canada until he retired after twenty-five years in 1983. He sold real estate in Scarborough until 1995. He continued to run fiddle classes in Toronto and taught Cape Breton step dancing. He is a prolific composer with over a hundred tunes to his credit, many in active circulation among Cape Breton players.

Personal life

Sandy married the former Lucy LeBlanc of Margaree Forks, Inverness County. They have two children, Brian, a guitarist, and Stephen, a

bodhran player. He died on November 24, 2021.[1]

Recordings

  • Let’s Have a Ceilidh with Sandy MacIntyre
  • Cape Breton....My Land In Music
  • Island Treasure Vol. 1
  • Cape Breton Fiddle Music: Steeped In Tradition
  • Steeped and Served: The Sandy MacIntyre Collection (2 CD Compilation)

Cape Breton Traditional Style Fiddle Sets with Guitar Tablature by Sandy MacIntyre and Leigh Cline

This book is a definitive documentation of Cape Breton-style fiddle music. Techniques specific to the style are touched on and many sets (groups of tunes - listening tunes, dance tunes, or a combination thereof - performed in a specific order) are included. Presented are the melodies, chords, and guitar tablature. 120 pages.

Honours

A number of fiddlers have composed tunes in Sandy's honour: Sandy MacIntyre's Trip to Boston (composed by John Campbell); Sandy MacIntyre's (composed by Brenda Stubbert); Sandy MacIntyre's March (composed by Donald Angus Beaton). In 2021, The Gaelic College took time to honour and thank a very dear, long-standing, and vital member of the community and foundation family - Sandy MacIntyre. In recognition of distinguished and noteworthy service to Colaisde na Gàidhlig, the Board of Governors acknowledged Sandy with the title of Honorary Governor “for outstanding contributions made to the Gaelic College and our culture. Mòran taing!”

Notes

  1. ^ Fisher, Sam (November 26, 2021). "Sandy Macintyre". 1015thehawk.com. Retrieved November 27, 2021.

External links

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