Lighthousekeeper, fiddler, composer
Paul Cranford is well known amongst traditional musicians
everywhere. For the last twenty five years he has
published many books of fiddle music including the five
volume Cape Breton Musical Heritage Series. In additon to
being a fiddler and publisher, his compositions are being
played around the world in sessions from Ireland to
Tasmania. Some of the musicians who have recorded his
tunes include The Barra MacNeils, Jerry Holland, Sharon
Shannon, Kendra MacGillivray, Ray Legère, Joe
Doucette, Slainté Mhath, Laoise Kelly, Maire
O'Keeffe and David Greenberg.
A resident of Cape Breton's North
Shore, he works 28 days on 28 off on the last manned
lighthouse in the Maritimes, Machais Seal Island.
Originally from Toronto, Paul arrived in Nova Scotia in
1975. Within a week he got a job as a lighthousekeeper on
remote St. Paul Island. Over the years working a month-on
month-off lighthouse rotation has given him the
opportunity to become a solid Cape Breton fiddler. During
his time off, he learns tunes and techniques from other
musicians. When he returns to the light, the isolation
gives him the time and space to digest what he heard
ashore at house parties and dances. Over the years his
enthusiasm for the music has resulted in the building up
of a large and diverse repertoire.
His publishing career began in 1979
with the reissue of one of the most influential Scottish
tune books, The Skye Collection, (first published 1887.)
He followed up in 1982 with the reissue of The Simon
Fraser Collection (first published 1816) and later with
The Alexander Walker Collection, a 19th century book of
original Scottish fiddle tunes. These three books
provided a solid foundation for his work in the composing
and publishing of traditional music.
Later, in collaborating with well
known recording artists Jerry Holland and Brenda
Stubbert, Paul started The Cape Breton Musical Heritage
Series ... music books which highlight the talents of
Cape Breton fiddlers who are not only adept at arranging
traditional and contemporary tunes, but are continually
adding original compositions to their
repertoires.
When away from his current lighthouse
posting, Paul is ever ready to sit and play with any
traditional musician. He has played in kitchens and pubs
from Cape Breton to California, Boston, Toronto, Ireland
and Scotland.
