The Andrew Collins Trio

“The level of musicianship is outstanding, as you’d expect from a serial award winner such as Andrew Collins. He must be one of the best mandolin players in the business” 

Americana – UK 

“Collins is a staggering mandolin player, able to achieve extraordinary speed, variety and nuance, whilst also being equally fluent on mandocello, mandola, guitar and violin. The band appears to switch and shape-shift between instruments and roles with absolute assurance and ease… phenomenally talented…” 

Folking.com – UK 

Mando maestro Andrew Collins finds himself – through no actual fault of his own – at the epicentre of Canada’s acoustic/roots music scene. He didn’t invent it – but he’s certainly been a major contributor, having co-founded seriously noteworthy Canadian bands like the Creaking Tree String Quartet, the Foggy Hogtown Boys and, more recently, his namesake Trio. That’s not to mention the fact that this prolific, robust performer – comfortable on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, mandola and mandocello – composes, produces, arranges, writes and teaches across multiple genres, including an electrifying fusion of folk, acoustic roots, newgrass and even a dash of chamber where warranted 🙂 

As Collins gathers up innumerable JUNO nominations (5) and Canadian Folk Music Awards (7) won by his various ensembles, he’s zeroing in on the work he does with Trio-mates: fellow string guru Adam Shier, whose versatility shines through on guitar and mandolin, and in-the-pocket James McEleney holding it down on the bass, mandocello and vocals. 

Showcasing a dizzying number of styles and instruments on stage, Collins and Co. appear to live by the old adage, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop”, likely keeping them just ahead of his grasp. Bending and blending genres, these musical shape shifters land somewhere between the re-imagined worlds of Béla Fleck, Newgrass invader David Grisman and the legendary Yo Yo Ma! 

Here at the Village Theater, the ACT is releasing their new CD, “Retro”, a treasure trove of Andrew’s signature tracks over the years with fresh arrangements and spirited trio interplay. From blazing bluegrass to jazzy waltzes and classical reinterpretations, Retro shows that great music evolves through honoring its roots.