A FEAST of fiddle music is about to be served up in Otley.

Acclaimed musicians from three different countries will perform when Otley Courthouse hosts Celtic Fiddle Festival on Saturday, November 17.

Fiddlers Kevin Burke from Ireland, Christian Lemaître from Brittany, in France and Capercaillie’s own Charlie McKerron, from Scotland will demonstrate their contrasting cultural and individual styles.

They will be accompanied by guitarist Nicolas Quemener, who is also from Brittany.

Each will plays a solo set, showcasing their specific tradition, before joining forces to deliver a rousing combined set that is designed to ‘transcend all cultural and geographical barriers’.

Kevin Burke is a world-renowned Irish fiddler whose career includes the seminal Irish groups The Bothy Band and Patrick Street.

Playing the fluid, highly-ornamented style of County Sligo, Kevin is a recipient of the NEA’s National Heritage Award.

Christian Lemaître honed his skills playing the hypnotic Breton melodies at festou-noz (night dances) throughout Brittany, the Celtic region of France. He is also a founding member of the group Kornog.

Charlie McKerron meanwhile, the newest member, is one of Scotland’s finest fiddle players and has toured the world with Capercaillie.

Celtic Fiddle Festival was originally conceived as a unique touring project in 1992 featuring Burke, Lemaitre and the great Scottish fiddler, Johnny Cunningham, who died in 2003.

The group proved such a success that a live recording was released and that first album, simply entitled Celtic Fiddle Festival (1993, Green Linnet), received glowing reviews and enjoyed impressive sales.

Four albums and numerous international tours later, the ensemble is now one of the most popular on the Celtic circuit.

Their most recent album is Equinoxe, on Burke’s independent label Loftus Music.

Tickets for the band’s Otley show, which starts at 8pm, cost £17.50 and can be booked by visiting www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, calling (01943) 467466 or popping into the Courthouse, on Courthouse Street.