Cape Breton’s musical roots shine through this brilliant pairing of musical energy. Joe and Iain deliver pure East Coast magic.

Joe MacMaster and Iain MacQuarrie are part of a new generation of Cape Breton players carrying forward the island’s tradition with quiet confidence and unmistakable style. Born into the music and shaped by it from the ground up, both are equally at home in a square set or a concert hall.

Joe, raised in a musical household in Troy, brings the full weight of fiddle and piano tradition to every set—melding deep respect for the old players with a personal, lively touch. Iain, from Inverness County, has grown into one of the island’s most trusted accompanists, known for his clean, thoughtful piano and emerging voice on fiddle.

Together, they offer a rich, local sound that honours the tunes while keeping them alive and well on today’s stages. Whether it’s a pulsing reel or a gentle air, their music is full of care, clarity, and Cape Breton rhythm.