In anticipation of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, which will feature Gaspé fiddler Yvon Mimeault, here is one of his tunes. Yvon learned “Quadrille à Ti-Bé” from his uncle Antoine (Ti-Bé”) Mimeault, who played dances in Ruisseaux-des-Olives in the 1940s. And here’s a bit more about Yvon:

Born in 1928 in Mont-Louise, Quebec, Yvon is the seventh of a dozen children. A “preemie” baby, Yovn’s small stature precluded his following his family farming practice. Yvon discovered his passion for fiddling at the age of 21 while working as a handyman in a lumber camp. When he came home eight months later, he put his woodworking and creative skills to work and made himself a fiddle. At the same time, he went to school to become an électricien. A few months later, Yvon was playing in a radio band in Matane; from 1949 to 1954 he played for local dances on the week-ends after a 60 hour work week.

Yvon married in 1956 and he and his wife raised six children. Music went on the back burner for the next 20 years or so, but in 1977, Yvon dusted off his fiddle and started playing again. He has a huge repertory of tunes learned from family, from the radio, and from recordings, as well as a number of his own compositions. Yvon is an immensely sociable musician who loves a good laugh. He is also a very skillful woodcarver who makes wonderful animal sculptures. Look for him this summer at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes (and if you find him, please give my regards!).

Quadrille de l’oncle Ti-Bé (dance speed, mp3)[wpdm_file id=262]

Quadrille de l’oncle Ti-Bé (slow, mp3)[wpdm_file id=263]

Quadrille de l’oncle Ti-Bé (sheet music, pdf)[wpdm_file id=264]