Don Roy Trio

DON ROY, Fiddle
CINDY ROY, Piano
JAY YOUNG, Acoustic Bass

At the forefront of the Franco American community in the Greater Portland area, one finds The Don Roy Trio, who have long entertained audiences in the Southern Maine area and beyond.

Don Roy is a champion fiddler with depth in many styles of fiddling. Hailing from roots deep in the Maritimes and Quebec, the Roys’ musical passion lies with the French Canadian tradition followed closely by Celtic music.

Mr. Roy has been a member of many successful groups including bluegrass, Irish, and French and directed the popular Maine French Fiddlers for its duration. He has received Fellowship awards from the state of Maine in 1994 and 2001 for excellence in traditional music. His CD Thanks for the Lift earned a nomination for the National Heritage Award.

Cindy Roy, also a member of the former Maine French Fiddlers, is well known for her step dancing piano accompaniment which is among the best in New England. Augmented by her rhythmic feet, she adds life and enthusiasm to the music. Some of the Roys’ families were getting for house parties long before Mr. and Mrs. Roy met on a blind date to play music in 1980. The heritage continues and they will entertain you with a blend of fiddle and piano styles that are common to traditional musicians of Maine.

Jay Young plays upright bass with the group. Mr. Young began his musical evolution playing folk music on a 12 string guitar in the 1960's. He slid into playing electric guitar in a blues band influenced by the Chicago blues style and then in a series of rock 'n roll bands. He started playing electric bass in a country band in the 1970's. My. Young claims his country band played in clubs that should have had chicken wire in front of the stage. He spent one cold fall weekend playing outdoors at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix with gloves on his hands. He started playing upright bass in the 1970's with a church choir and soon joined a bluegrass band.

With Mr. and Mrs. Roy, Mr. Young’s bass playing ranges from a minimal definition of the chord progression to a jazzy walking bass style. He's dedicated: he once played a gig a week after trying out his son's skateboard and breaking his arm. He's been accompanying Don and Cindy Roy for many years in a variety of bands including The Maine French Fiddlers and at times it is hard to distinguish Mr. Young’s bass playing from Mrs. Roy’s left hand rhythms on the piano.

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Watch Past Performances

9/10/08: Don Roy Trio

Maine’s “dean” of Franco-American fiddling leads this group, blending the sounds of Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritime Provinces. Part of Masters of Tradition.

Don Roy Trio

Maine’s “dean” of Franco-American fiddling leads this group, blending the sounds of Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritime Provinces. Part of Masters of Tradition.

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5/19/04: Don Roy Trio and Florence Martin

Don Roy Trio and Florence Martin, featuring Don Roy, one of the finest Franco-American fiddlers in the Northeast, perform Acadian music.

Don Roy Trio and Florence Martin

Don Roy Trio and Florence Martin, featuring Don Roy, one of the finest Franco-American fiddlers in the Northeast, perform Acadian music.

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Don Roy Trio

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