Donna Hébert’s fiddle rhythms and Max Cohen’s groove guitar link to create an orchestra of sound from a simple fiddle-guitar duet. Concerts draw from Donna’s 40 years of French-Canadian and Celtic fiddling with seminal folk bands Yankee Ingenuity, Chanterelle and Rude Girls. Donna and Max have been musical partners since 2006, often writing new tunes together. Demonstrating their musical chemistry, their joint composition, Raven’s Wing, in memory of Donna’s father, has become an audience favorite.
Max and Donna’s “Orange on Blue” is their duo CD and features originals and standards from the Celtic traditions.. Donna’s “In Full Bloom” CD features Max on guitar and co-producing. Featuring Raven’s Wing, with 10 other tracks of French-Canadian music with Pascal Gemme, André Brunet, Rachel Aucoin, Sabin Jacques. Max’s “In the Wood” guitar CD is also available, like the others, for online download and mail order.
Recent performances at festivals in the U.S. and Canada include La Grande Rencontre, Mémoires et Racines, Chants de Vielles, Branford Folk Society, Goderich Celtic College, Toronto Harbourfront, Old Songs and Philly Folk Festivals, and more. Max and Donna are also part of Mist Covered Mountains Celtic trio, Groovemama teaching and contradance band, and Chanterelle: Franco-American music and song with Josée Vachon.
“More spectacular dance music than you could imagine from just two people!” Louie Cromartie, contradance caller, Glen Echo MD Spanish Ballroom 1/21/12
“A fabulous concert! It was so great to have you both here. You and Max truly make beautiful music together – a very rich and sweet collaboration.” Robin Russell, Strafford VT Folk Series
“Really a treat – fabulous musicians with a wonderful way of playing together.” Jay Ungar, Dancing on the Air: WAMC – Albany NY
“Max is one of those rare guitarists able to create an atmosphere that supports and cradles the voice with both tenderness and strength.” singer and musical partner Priscilla Herdman
“Donna is an outstanding performer and world-class teacher. I consider her at the forefront of the developing field of fiddle pedagogy.” Dr. Alan Jabbour, Dir. (ret)., American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
“I LOVE your CD. It is GREAT – wonderful music played with much feeling of style and tradition! And that Raven’s Wing that you and Max wrote is a winner!” Seamus Connolly, Donna’s first Irish fiddle teacher & a 2013 NEA National Heritage Fellow
“Outstanding artistic achievement!” MA Governor Deval Patrick to Donna at 2009 Commonwealth Awards
“Donna gets it all right!” String pioneer Darol Anger in his foreword to Donna’s “Fiddling Demystified for Strings”
“Orange on Blue is our favorite CD.” Tim Van Egmond and Gale Kuhn
“You are truly the best out there! There is a joyous lift and excitement – and love – in your music. Many thanks!” Jo-Ellen Boisson, fiddler, Poughkeepsie
