The sibling trio that’s at The McDades core – Shannon Johnson (violin and vocals), Solon McDade (bass and vocals) and Jeremiah McDade (winds, guitar and vocals) – formed their band in 2000, but they’ve lived musician’s lives since their parents had them playing musical instruments as soon as they could clasp their hands around the neck of a violin, reach the strings on a cello, or form an embouchure on a tin whistle. They joined their parents in the McDade Family Band, an Edmonton institution from the ’70s into the ’90s. As the McDades, they have only released three albums so far, including 2006’s Bloom which won a Juno for best roots album and two Canadian Folk Music awards. In between are several side projects, solo albums and records featuring dad. Known for being rooted in traditional celtic folk, they freely add jazz improvisation and an array of worldly influences that keep their sound fresh and unexpected. Multi-instrumentalist Jeremiah is just as comfortable adding a jazzy saxophone solo to a cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown” as he is playing his tin whistle in a whirling, foot stomping jig.

One senses they would be equally at home at a Maritime kitchen party, an after-hours New York jazz club or bringing a crowd to their feet at a folk festival.

— Sean Myers