Sprag Session

Lingering somewhere amidst the rich, soulful roots of traditional Cape Breton music and the grooves of a thousand branches of rock and funk, SPRAG SESSION combines a dynamic and thoughtful mingling of beats and melodies from an extensive host of musical influences.

Sprag Session (formerly known as the Colin Grant Band) has created a particular kind of Celtic fusion that is as much Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and Frank Zappa as it is Ashley MacIsaac. 'Sprag' is a Shakesperean word for "quick and lively" and is also the name of an autopart which aids smooth transition in changing gears. The name was chosen as it reflects both the artisitic and musical aspects of the band’s sound, paired with the word 'session' to give contemporary and traditional references.

Showcasing 5 fantastic young musicians including fiddler Colin Grant, the group produces a lively sound that never strays too distantly from its Cape Breton roots but yet has found an open ear in everyone from Indie scenesters to blue-haired bingo stampers! With Jason Roach on piano, Darren MacMullen on mandolin, guitar, banjo and bouzouki, Donnie Calabrese on Bass and Merlin Clarke on drums/percussion, this funky band are set to be one of Nova Scotia’s biggest musical exports. Showcased as part of Celtic Connections in January 2011, they ripped the Glasgow stages apart and have been on the Shetland Folk Festival wish list ever since!

As a solo artiste, 2010 brought the release of Colin Grant’s album ‘Fun For The Whole Family’, which won Music Nova Scotia’s Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year as well as being nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.

HOT OF THE PRESS - 3rd April 2012- The boys have just released their self titled debut album. You can hear clips at http://spragsession.com/blog. Digital downloads and CD's are available to buy on the website.