Growing up in one of the greatest cross roads of music, it is no wonder that from a young age Ian McCamy, a native New Yorker, was surrounded by great music. Some of his earliest memories come from under his parent's feet in any one of the various pubs or taverns in New York City where traditional Irish and Scottish music was being played. At the age of six, when he started to play the fiddle, his influences were already numerous and notably from family experiences. Being from a Scots/American background Ian’s roots are deeply anchored in musical traditions from both sides of the Atlantic: from The Isle of Bute in Scotland to the Tennessee Smokey Mountains in America and From Nova Scotia in Canada to Eastern Texas, these ancestral paths are the core of his inspiration and directly reflected in his personal style of fiddling.

Throughout childhood Ian studied classical violin with Natalie Ghent of the New York Opera, and continued traditional playing at home. He went on to study music at The Laguardia School of arts and later at the City College of New York. In 1991 Ian unknowingly emigrated to Europe after a summer visit to Germany and France.

Much like his ancestors Ian has always had the venturing soul, his wanderings have brought him to many places and through his travels Ian has always carried his fiddle with him, practicing the minstrel tradition on his way. After a long stay in Scotland in 1992, his travels brought him to France where there was a thriving traditional music scene at the time. Arriving in Paris, Ian was one of the founding members of “The Prodigal Sons” with Billy O’Brien, Noel Burke (Kevin Burke's brother), Mathew Greenhill and Sean Macabe, playing extensively throughout the Irish community in Paris. From this early start in France he went on to play in a multitude of formations eventually establishing himself during 1998 in the south of France where he created his own group “The Celtic Reelers”.

From the beginning “Ian McCamy Celtic Reelers” have had wide success: two albums in four years, a long list of festival concerts throughout Switzerland, France and Belgium, radio and T.V. appearences, countless concerts in clubs and cultural centers, and a growing following of fans. Both the albums have had numerous rave reviews: Three Bravos by Trad Magazine, Excellent record by France inter radio, Three stars by Spain's Diaros de noticias, Recommended by Dirty Linen Magazine in the USA, Selectioned by Liberation, and in 2000 his first album was nominated on the European World Music Charts

Over the last six years Ian has had the pleasure to be programmed with some of the great artist of our time: in Country music with Charley McCoy on his last Four tours in Europe, Carlton Moody, Sarah Jory, Hank Thompson. In Celtic music festivals with: Kevin Burke, Gerry O’Briain, Altan, James Kean, Sharon Shannon, Tri-Yann, Brian Bolger, Churchfitters and with renowned French artists such as: Les Primitifs du Future, Dominique Cravic, Soldat Louis, Erik Marchand and Alan Stival.

One of the most important Friendships Ian has formed on his way has been with Robert Crumb the mythic underground comic artist. Over the years Robert has greatly inspired Ian’s fiddle playing through his extensive knowledge, musicianship and vast collection of old records. His musical collaboration with Robert has resulted in two recordings together, on “World Musette” by the Primif du Future and on the recent CD in the Robert Crumb Handbook with the Ian McCamy Quartette. Robert has magnificantly illustrated both of Ian’s albums, an honor shared by few.

The journey continues today as Ian is still looking to the musical traditions lived by his ancestors, researching the playing, the sounds and the history of the tunes played by the great fiddlers and musicians recorded in the 1920’s & 30’s. Look for Ian McCamy and his Celtic Reelers in a city or town near you during the next tour in support of his latest album “The Drunken Landlady”.

Ian McCamy is on: Frémeaux & Associés records available in all record stores, distributed worldwide by: Frémeaux & Associés 20, rue Robert Giraudineau 94300 VINCENNES FRANCE