A KitchenFest session that brings precision, Cape Breton heart, and musical mastery to the Red Shoe stage.
Rachel Davis
Fiddler and vocalist Rachel Davis, from Baddeck, is one of Cape Breton’s most leading musical voices. Born and raised in Baddeck, she first learned the fiddle from her grandfather, Clarence Long, while nestled in the corner of his barbershop—squeaking out tunes under his careful eye. Those early lessons rooted her deeply in the island’s tradition, shaping a style that now echoes across festival stages and dance halls alike.
Rachel has toured the world, sharing her music across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., France, and Australia. Whether playing a quiet air or lighting up a lively strathspey, she brings heart, heritage, and unmistakable Cape Breton rhythm to every note. Her deep respect for the tradition and pure joy on stage have earned her a place among the most respected fiddlers of her generation.
🔗 KitchenFest Bio – Rachel Davis
Darren McMullen
Darren McMullen is one of Atlantic Canada’s most versatile and in-demand multi-instrumentalists. While he began on piano as a child, his musical journey expanded to include mandolin, bouzouki, tenor banjo, whistles, guitar, and bass—making him a true force across the folk and traditional scenes.
He cut his teeth in the pub band circuit before joining J.P. Cormier’s touring band in 2004, a role that launched him onto international stages across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. Since then, Darren has released three solo albums and toured extensively as both a frontman and sideman, performing with artists like The Rankin Family, Matt Andersen, and many of Cape Breton’s top fiddlers.
These days, Darren is best known as a core member of Cape Breton supergroup Còig, and as a dynamic musical partner alongside his wife, fiddler Rachel Davis. His tasteful arrangements and rhythmic energy bring depth and spark to every performance.
🔗 KitchenFest Bio – Darren McMullen
Shawn MacDonald
With over five decades of fiddle playing behind him, Shawn MacDonald is a lifelong torchbearer of Cape Breton’s rich musical tradition. Born into a musical family, he picked up the fiddle at just four years old and never looked back. His early training came under the guidance of the late Professor James MacDonald of North Sydney, and by his teens, he was already making waves in the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra—a role he held for 11 years.
Shawn went on to study performance at Acadia University before dedicating himself fully to Celtic music. He toured internationally with his family band, Scumalash, taking Cape Breton’s sound to audiences across the UK, Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and the United States.
A former cast member of the beloved Cape Breton Summertime Revue, Shawn now performs with The Privateers/High Society, one of the island’s most popular bands. He also serves as Concertmaster for the Cape Breton Orchestra. With more than 30 years of teaching experience, Shawn has shaped the next generation of fiddlers—now enjoying semi-retirement, but still gracing stages and sessions with signature depth, experience, and heart.
🔗 KitchenFest Bio – Shawn MacDonald
Jason Roach
A proud Cheticamp native, Jason Roach has carved out a signature piano style that’s as bold and expressive as the island that shaped him. He got his start under the wing of Cape Breton piano legend Maybelle Chisholm-MacQueen in nearby Margaree and was performing publicly by 1997. From those early roots, Jason’s musical journey has carried him far.
He earned his Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University and quickly found himself touring with acclaimed groups like Sprag Session, The StepCrew, and Cape Breton powerhouse Còig. Whether in a festival tent or a quiet studio, Jason’s playing is electric—fusing classical training, traditional rhythm, and a fierce creative edge.
When he’s not touring, Jason teaches piano at École de musique Raveston in Cheticamp and channels his artistic energy into Outer Strathspace Folk Art, his second creative love. His performances are alive with colour, heart, and the unmistakable pulse of Cape Breton tradition—remixed with modern flair.
🔗 KitchenFest Bio – Jason Roach