artist Poor Angus

Poor Angus is a Hamilton, Ontario based Celtic ensemble, which mixes the music of past and present in an exciting and dynamic presentation of traditional and original Scottish, Irish and East Coast pieces. Formed in 2005, this collection of musicians sought a way to express their admiration for Celtic music in a manner, which would appeal to both traditional purists, and modern audiences equally. Having shared the stage with the likes of Blue Rodeo, Kathleen Edwards, Matt Mayes, Switchback, The Proclaimers, Bruce Guthro, Jeremy Fisher, Beolach and Nathan Rogers, we are equally at home on the big stage and in intimate pub settings.

Featuring the masterful highland and uilleann piping and tin whistles of Ross Griffiths and profound fiddling of virtuoso Andrew Bryan, this talented group is graced by the warm voice and fingerstyle guitar playing of noted folk music veteran Scott Cameron Smith and bodhran, guitar and mandolin of Brian LeBlanc. Rounding out the Poor Angus sound is bass and keyboard player DJ Moons.  Poor Angus is noted specifically for impressive vocal harmony and this Celtic quintet always gets feet stomping and leaves audiences of all ages roaring for more.

Having released our first album, which won the 2007 Hamilton Music Award for Folk/Traditional Album of the Year, this self-titled work is receiving airplay internationally. In reviewing the album, Greg Quill of the Toronto Star notes: ”Deftly executed instrumental ballads, jigs and reels comprise the bulk of this excellent package, though Cameron Smith’s “How Many Are The Days” and “Colleen” provide ample opportunity for this gifted writer and singer to prove his worth.” Our second album, "Prime Cuts" , newly released, just won the 2009 HMA for Folk/Traditional album of the Year as well!

The combination of Scots, Irish and East Coast music styles in the Poor Angus performance bends every ear to delightful interpretations of Celtic music and ensures that one and all leave the show with a smile on their face and a song in their heart.