Fiddlers 3

“We’re about the music to begin with; it’s just convenient that we are a family,” said fiddler Elaina Lozinski. The members of Fiddlers 3 may have the same last name and live in the same house; but this band is much more than a family of musicians.

It all started with a very young Stefan who after hearing a fiddle player on the radio decided that he too wanted to play the fiddle. Nine months later influenced by her big brother Elaina begged her parents for fiddle lessons. Younger brother Andrian joined in the learning and the Lozinski’s found themselves with three fiddlers in the house. Forming a band was never a part of the plan. But in November 1996 with a little over a year of fiddle lessons under their belt the Lozinski children aged nine, 10, and 12 found themselves on stage at church playing together. And Fiddlers 3 was born. Mom Mary Ann joined the children on stage with her accordion to provide some accompaniment for the fiddlers. A short time later Dad Lorne raided the family kitchen and laundry room and joined the family on stage adding percussion to the sound.

Besides playing on stage as a band the fiddlers competed regularly in fiddling competitions. Stefan, Andrian, and Elaina are all Ontario Province Fiddle Champions. The fiddlers no longer compete but instead concentrate on the band and making the best possible music they can make. Since an education is as important as music Fiddlers 3 performed around the school year schedule. When it came time to enter college, there was not question that music would be a part of the curriculum. Stefan and Adrian have graduated from McMaster University holding bachelor degrees with honours. They have performed at many festivals and have shared the stage with Celtic music starts like Ashley MacIsaac, Natalie MacMaster, and the Chieftains. Fiddlers 3 members say that sharing the stage with these artists is a great experience. It is also a learning experience.

Fiddlers 3 plays Celtic music because it is a part of who they are as Canadians – they are from Hamilton. But that is not the only reason for playing Celtic music, “it is a good style of music and a lot of fun to play,” said Stefan. Fiddlers 3 puts on a high energy show that stirs audiences to join in the fun. Fiddlers 3’s motto is “We dare you to keep your feet still”; a challenge audiences can’t resist. The fiddlers dance on stage while they play. Band members also wear heavy soled shoes to give Dad a hand – or foot as it were – with some extra percussion. On one occasion Fiddlers 3 found themselves on an old stage which broke down from all of their dancing and stomping up and down.

Once while performing at a convention for Toyota, Fiddlers3 found themselves playing for a group of Japanese who had never heard of Celtic music before; but true to form at a Fiddlers 3 performance Japanese audience members were dancing around by the end of the show. “It’s great to introduce music to others,” said Andrian. Fiddlers 3 find themselves introducing their music to more than just foreigners. Audiences at a Fiddlers 3 show range from adults who know and love Celtic Music to a very young and new fan. Rock and metal music fans have even been converted to fans after attending a Fiddlers 3 performance.

Fiddlers 3 do not limit themselves to strictly traditional Celtic tunes, which includes all the forms of Celtic music from Cape Breton to Scotland and Ireland,; however, they also play old Bluegrass songs like “Orange Blossom Special” and “Red Wing. When band members prepare new pieces, they allow their varied interests and influences from other genres of music to filter in.

Recently Fiddlers 3 has added a new album to their discography. Their third album “volume 3: The Rhythm Chapter” joins the self titled debut “Fiddlers 3” and “Encore”. All three CDs are available through the band’s official website www.fiddlers3.com. Members of Fiddlers 3 have not forgotten where their success lies and are extremely grateful to each and ever person who attends a show or buys a CD. In fact fans who purchase a CD from the band via the website receives a handwritten note of thanks from the band. Band members enjoy interacting and talking to their fans.

Over the years the children have grown and grown up. They are what makes the band who they are. The fiddlers do and always have carried the band. The fiddlers make band decisions together. Mary Ann and Lorne are very proud of their fiddlers but are also quite happy to remain in the background both on and off the stage. The only time Dad enjoys a crowd is when he is teaching others how to perform a technique on one of his percussion instruments. The family band has grown with an honourary family member in the form of a bass player.

For the Lozinski house it’s all about making music the best they know how for others to enjoy.