Terry Lee
I have been most pleased with the Redwood drone reeds for myself and some players in the band. The tonal blend is excellent and I feel the bass drone reed has more vibrancy than other reeds on the market. The reeds, being very easy to tune, are also exceptionally steady.
Pipe Major Terry Lee is one of the most prominent and successful pipe band leaders in the world. Under his direction, the SFU Pipe Band captured the World Pipe Band Championship of 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2008 and 2009. Terry is also one of only seven Pipe Majors to win the World Championship more than twice.
His ability to produce superb band performances in both the contemporary and traditional style, and to significantly enhance the musicality and technique of his players is respected worldwide. On September 10, 1999 P/M Terry Lee and P/S Jack Lee were each presented with the Meritorious Service Medal by Governor General Romeo LeBlanc in Quebec City, Quebec.
Robert Mathieson
These RedWood reeds provide a sweet and smooth tenor sound complimented by a deep bass that is normally associated with cane reeds. Great product Xav.
As a Grade 1 Pipe Major with the Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia, Robert has won every championship prize there is several times over, including 5 World Championship titles and 9 Champion of Champions titles. He has also won the coveted Macallan trophy twice, once in a grand slam format, winning all events in Irish, Breton and Scottish music. He has 3 major solo recordings which include: Gracenotes, Ebbtide and The Big Birl, as well as 4 music books highlighting his own compositions played by many pipers and pipe bands. Robert has a Masters degree in Art and Design. His hobbies include painting and composing music for the highland bagpipe. Robert and his wife jointly own The Kilt Centre in Hamilton, Scotland.
Chris Armstrong
I find Redwood Reeds to be very rich sounding and they give off that cane like sound. Once set up correctly they greatly enhanced the sound of the chanter and were stable too. One really good attribute of the reeds is that they absorb quite a bit of moisture which means they stay dryer for longer.
Chris Armstrong's served as Pipe Sergeant of Torphicen and Bathgate Pipe Band, and in 2004 as Pipe Major of the David Urquhart Travel Pipes & Drums. Since 2005, Chris has been Pipe Major of the ScottishPower Pipe Band. Solo successes include the A Grade March at the 2000 Argyllshire Gathering, the A Grade March - Strathspey - Reel at the 2001 Northern Meeting, and the Former Winners MSR at the 2001 AG. In 2003 Chris won the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting. A prolific and popular composer, he's published "Notes Frae Ma Heid" 1 & 2, and recorded several CDs. Chris is a full-time instructor at the National Piping Centre.
Hervé Le Floc'h
Since the apparition of synthetic drone reeds, there have been many products making an appearance on the market. Even if the synthetic reeds are easy to set up, the sound produced is often disappointing compared to cane reeds. Xavier has come up with a new product and indeed it has a surprising result! The concept of having a wooden body enables the production of a better sound but also creates a thermal inertia to avoid condensation. The padouk (RedWood) porosity allows for long periods of playing without any moisture problems. The tenors sound rich and warm while the bass resonates deeply. The RedWood reeds can suit any set of bagpipes from vintage sets to more recent instruments.
Hervé is a breton piper from the south west of Brittany. He was one of the firsts breton pipers to compete and win solo prizes in Scotland: first breton piper to win the Silver Medal (1995), he was also placed 3rd in the Gold Medal (2003) and 4th in the former winners MSR in London in 2000. He is also the pipe major of the Bagad Cap Caval and the Cap Caval pipe band (Grade 2 world champions in 2008, first breton pipe band to be promoted in Grade 1). Herve is also a bagpipes teacher in many bands in Brittany.
Alasdair Henderson
I was excited when asked by Xavier to test out his new drone reeds and immediately put them into my pipes. They are well-produced reeds that have a rich, stable sound and can also be easily manipulated. In terms of moisture control they are exceptional, with the reeds unique red wood body responding almost exactly like cane. I would therefore definitely recommend the reeds to any piper.
Alasdair Henderson, 20, from Dunoon is another rising talented young piper. Taking influence from his Argyll roots his enthusiastic, exciting style of playing has earned him many solo piping prizes not to mention great respect from his peers - some of his more notable prizes include the B grade Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey & Reel events at the 2007 Scottish Piping Society of London's annual competition. He is currently a member of Bagad Cap Caval as well as the ScottishPower Pipe Band, where he has been an influential member of the band in recent years.
Ronan Latry
Congratulations Xavier and Jakez! The RedWood reeds are first class! Precise tuning, efficient air consumption- the overall response being close to the sound of cane reeds with that sweet first tone. The reeds sound rich and warm, with vibrant tenors and a deep sounding bass!
Ronan Latry was born in 1979 and is playing pipes since 1991. He was taught by Xavier Fleurent (Bagad Er Melinerion) and by Jakez Le Dran. He was the pipe major of Bagad Lokoal Mendon from 1997 to 2001 and played with the Bagad Brieg from 2001 to 2008. He is playing in duet with André Le Meut and Steven Madec and is collaborating with René François (pipe making). He is the webmaster of www.pipingup.com, a well-known piping related website in Brittany.
Brett Tidswell
Redwood reeds are indeed first class, I found the reeds to be stable and even responded well after being left and re-played after a period of time. They have good volume and brightness. They worked well in a variety of bagpipes when tested. The tonal quality of the reeds was excellent, producing a vibrant tone with very good tonal balance and depth. These reeds are easy to set up and will produce a sound that pipers of any level will be well satisfied with.
Pipe Major Brett Tidswell is the Principal of Piping of the Australian Pipe Band College. He is also a qualified examiner with the Piping and Drumming Qualification Board - Scotland. He has a long and respected history as an educator of pipers at the highest of levels.
Brett is a soloist of International renown with many competition successes and a demand to perform at recitals around the world (which has included duet performances in Scotland with the legendary Jimmy Shand). His students also have a history of such success, with many solo prizes and even Pipe Band World Championships to their credit. His technical articles have been published in some of the World's most recognised piping publications including; Pipe Bands Australia Magazine, New Zealand Pipe Band Magazine, The Voice - USA, Pipes/Drums - Canada and the Piping Times Magazine - Scotland.
Brett is a soloist of International renown with many competition successes and a demand to perform at recitals around the world (which has included duet performances in Scotland with the legendary Jimmy Shand). His students also have a history of such success, with many solo prizes and even Pipe Band World Championships to their credit. His technical articles have been published in some of the World's most recognised piping publications including; Pipe Bands Australia Magazine, New Zealand Pipe Band Magazine, The Voice - USA, Pipes/Drums - Canada and the Piping Times Magazine - Scotland.
Adam Quinn
After 4 months of playing Redwood Drones, I couldn't be happier with them. Living in Florida where it is hot and humid, I have had a hard time finding synthetic drones that can be consistent and easily maintained. I first used them for a solo piping competition, and all judges commented on the full sound and steadiness of the drones. My band, Lucid Druid, was recording in a studio for several days in a row - and they held up magically. We also played a 4 hour gig outside in June (not an easy feat with the heat and moisture), and with a few set breaks I did not even need to dry them out during the show. From a moisture, maintenance and sound perspective, these are the best overall drones I've worked with to date.
Adam began his musical career with the clarinet at age 9, which he performed through early college years and still features occasionally in Lucid Druid shows. At age 10 he took up the piano, and at age 12 he began to learn the bagpipes.
In 1996 Quinn joined the ranks of the World Champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, with whom he won two World Championship titles in 1996 & 1999. For several years Quinn was not only a member of this band, but also a composer, arranger and concert soloist. Much of his work has been featured on SFUPB albums, most notably Live at Carnegie Hall and Down Under: Live at the Sydney Opera House.
In 1996 Quinn joined the ranks of the World Champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, with whom he won two World Championship titles in 1996 & 1999. For several years Quinn was not only a member of this band, but also a composer, arranger and concert soloist. Much of his work has been featured on SFUPB albums, most notably Live at Carnegie Hall and Down Under: Live at the Sydney Opera House.
Murray Blair
I ordered a set of Redwood reeds online arriving only a few days later- a great quick service! Now, having used them now for several months I've been extremely impressed with their performance and stability.
The first impression was the packaging. A classy well designed box with slick graphics highlighting the attention to fine detail Xaiver and Jackez commit to their product. In my mind, I'd received a quality product.
Setting up the reeds was simple with minimal adjustment required. Tonally, the Bass drone was my preference as it's a long bodied, long tongued reed which offered greater stability and harmonics. Over the last few years I'd spent many hours in the studio testing bass drones to find that short bodied bass reeds didn't generate the deep fundamental frequencies or hold their stability like long bodied. In the case of Redwood reeds, they delivered what I was after. I wish many other pipers were using these when recording!
Redwood reeds are a well made and equally supported by passionate pipers. These reeds simply work and sound good.
The first impression was the packaging. A classy well designed box with slick graphics highlighting the attention to fine detail Xaiver and Jackez commit to their product. In my mind, I'd received a quality product.
Setting up the reeds was simple with minimal adjustment required. Tonally, the Bass drone was my preference as it's a long bodied, long tongued reed which offered greater stability and harmonics. Over the last few years I'd spent many hours in the studio testing bass drones to find that short bodied bass reeds didn't generate the deep fundamental frequencies or hold their stability like long bodied. In the case of Redwood reeds, they delivered what I was after. I wish many other pipers were using these when recording!
Redwood reeds are a well made and equally supported by passionate pipers. These reeds simply work and sound good.
Piping Background: Victoria Police 1991-1999; Music Book - Philharmonic - 1998; RU Brown Silver Medal Piobarieachd 2003
Major Recording Credits (Piping) Pipe Band: FMM, SFU, Shotts & Dykhead, Victoria Police, Scottish Power, Vale of Athol, Manawatu Scottish, Strathclyde Police, NYPBS Scotland; BBC: Northern Meeting; Solo: Roddy MacDonald, Roddy MacLeod, Gordon Walker, Angus MacColl, Gordon Duncan, Jack Lee, Chris Armstrong, Mark Saul, Bruce Gandy, Murray Henderson, Iain Speirs, Alasdair Gillies, Stuart Liddell, Ronan McGuire, Brian Lamond...
Major Recording Credits (Mainstream) BBC, ABC, SBS, BBC World, FOX8, Fremantle, Southern Star Endemol...
Piping tutored: Australia, New Zealand, USA, Holland, South Africa, Germany,
Major Recording Credits (Piping) Pipe Band: FMM, SFU, Shotts & Dykhead, Victoria Police, Scottish Power, Vale of Athol, Manawatu Scottish, Strathclyde Police, NYPBS Scotland; BBC: Northern Meeting; Solo: Roddy MacDonald, Roddy MacLeod, Gordon Walker, Angus MacColl, Gordon Duncan, Jack Lee, Chris Armstrong, Mark Saul, Bruce Gandy, Murray Henderson, Iain Speirs, Alasdair Gillies, Stuart Liddell, Ronan McGuire, Brian Lamond...
Major Recording Credits (Mainstream) BBC, ABC, SBS, BBC World, FOX8, Fremantle, Southern Star Endemol...
Piping tutored: Australia, New Zealand, USA, Holland, South Africa, Germany,
Patrick Molard
I've been playing only cane drone reeds since a while but I must say that I've been very impressed with the quality of the RedWood reeds. I played them for the first time for a Piobaireachd recital in Cancale and I was delighted with their stability and sound. I guess that nobody knew I was playing synthetic reeds instead of my usual cane drone reeds.
Patrick was born in 1951 in St Malo and started learning bagpipes at the age of 14. Two years later, he joined the An Ere Pipe Band in Rennes, leaded by Jakez Pincet. In 1971, he left to Aberdeen, to teach French and became a student of Robert U Brown ans Robert B Nicol. In 1972, he came back to Brittany to play with many bands included Alan Stivell. He won the Duet Breton Championships 3 times with Youenn le Bihan and Yves Berthou. He recorded 6 albums and teaches in the Carhaix School of Music.
Stuart Easton
I would like to congratulate Xavier and Jakez for producing one of the best sets of drone reeds on the market. I was so excited after the first time I tried them, I couldn't believe how accurate they are. Redwood reeds have everything going for them : stability, efficiency, absorbent and they produce an incredible rich harmonic sound with plenty of depth in the bass. The tonal quality is simply amazing. Well done guys.
Stuart began piping at the age of 13 under the tuition of his father Murray, then later by Greg Wilson and Stewart McKenzie. As a soloist he has won virtually every major prize in New Zealand & Australia including the Silver Chanter & Former Winners Clasp, the Commun Na Piobaireachd (NZ) & McLean (AU) Gold Medals, the New Zealand Solo Piping Championships and the Australasian Invitational Piping final multiple times. Stuart is the Pipe Sergeant of the seven times NZ Champion Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band.
He is a regular competitor in Scotland competing in the Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness. Stuart has represented New Zealand in Lorient on five occasions and having won the Piobaireachd in 2010.
Stuart is actively teaching, performing recitals and running workshops throughout the Southern Hemisphere. He is currently Director of the New Zealand National Youth Pipe Band.
He is a regular competitor in Scotland competing in the Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness. Stuart has represented New Zealand in Lorient on five occasions and having won the Piobaireachd in 2010.
Stuart is actively teaching, performing recitals and running workshops throughout the Southern Hemisphere. He is currently Director of the New Zealand National Youth Pipe Band.
Vincent Janoski
I have played just about every set of synthetic drone reed there has been since the earliest days of Ross and Wygent. Many of them over the years can provide a pleasing sound but the one thing that has always frustrated me is their relative instability over long playing sessions. In other words, the relatively short period of time it took for moisture/condensation to collect on any of these reeds, making it impossible for them to lock in tune and stay there. This problem is eliminated in Xavier's Redwood Reeds.
I think the best solutions for any problem a modern piper faces feature a balance of natural and synthetic materials. Simply designed and well constructed, the Redwood reeds strike that perfect balance to produce an excellent quality of sound.
They blend well with different chanters, making them a great choice for players moving back and forth from solo to band play. Once settled in, they stay settled, with broad and deep harmonics and great projection. And, after long playing sessions here in the variable climate of the eastern USA, moisture, and its accompanying tuning demons, is no longer an issue.
I think the best solutions for any problem a modern piper faces feature a balance of natural and synthetic materials. Simply designed and well constructed, the Redwood reeds strike that perfect balance to produce an excellent quality of sound.
They blend well with different chanters, making them a great choice for players moving back and forth from solo to band play. Once settled in, they stay settled, with broad and deep harmonics and great projection. And, after long playing sessions here in the variable climate of the eastern USA, moisture, and its accompanying tuning demons, is no longer an issue.
Vincent Janoski is the creator and curator of the bagpiping blog Pipehacker.com, writing about all manner of DIY piping projects, how-to's, piping tips, and other piping advice. He was formerly Editor and Publisher of The Voice, the magazine of the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. He is a long-time solo and band player on the eastern U.S. circuit and currently plays with the Grade 1 Oran Mor Pipe Band out of Albany, NY. Vincent co-hosts the new weekly bagpipe podcast "Dojo Universe" with Oran Mor PM and SFU alumnus Andrew Douglas at Dojo University.
Stewart McKenzie
Redwood reeds are going great. Well done on the tenors in particular : sound very rich and smooth in my MacDougalls, and are extremely stable. Great product, well done!
Stewart has been Pipe Major of Manawatu Scottish since 1999 and a member of the organisation since the age of 10, having come through the ranks of the No2 band. He led the band to its first New Zealand Championship victory in 2001 at the age of 25, and since then Manawatu Scottish has had an unprecedented run of success winning seven New Zealand Championships, two Australasian Championships, and qualifying for the final of the World Championships on four occasions and achieving three top-10 finishes. The band has also produced two highly acclaimed albums under Stewart's direction and performed at several prestigious international festivals and events.
Although Stewart restricts solo performances these days to flashy tuning phrases and slow airs, he is a highly accomplished solo piper and prolific prize winner with prizes including the New Zealand Championship Strathspey and Reel title (won on his 16th birthday), the New Zealand Gold Medal for piobaireachd and the Clasp to the New Zealand Silver Chanter on two occasions.
Stephen Megarity
I have always been a wet blower so it is hard to find a reed that works and sounds great for me. I played the RedWood reeds at Dumbarton and was blown away by the sound and stability on such a cold & damp day.
Stephen Megarity was born in Northern Ireland and has been playing the bagpipes for 25 years. Stephen has previously played with premier bands such as Field Marshal Montgomery, Boghall & Bathgate, and Glasgow Pipes and Drums and is the currently piping for Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band.
Stephen is a premier reedmaker and bagpiper now residing in Orange County, California and is available for Weddings, Funerals, Private Functions/Parties, Private Tutoring, and Pipe Band Instruction and Consultation.
Stephen is a premier reedmaker and bagpiper now residing in Orange County, California and is available for Weddings, Funerals, Private Functions/Parties, Private Tutoring, and Pipe Band Instruction and Consultation.
Craig Munro
As a bagpipe maker I have tried almost every set of drone reeds on the current market so that I have answers to customers questions when they are purchasing a set of our Wallace Bagpipes.
When I tried the Reedwood Reeds for the first time I was very impressed with how easy the initial set up was as they were literally "plug & play". They tuned instantly at the correct position just above the hemp on the tenors and in the perfect position for the bass. Not only were they instantly sitting at the correct tuning position but I found them extremely easy to lock in tune and more importantly they held in tune which is something I always look for when trying out new reeds in our pipes.
The reeds blend great together with the tenors producing a lovely smooth sound complimented by a deep rich bass that is very much like the cane sound most pipers try to achieve these days.
I will have no hesitation in recommended these reeds to our customers in future when enquiring about a new set of pipes.
Keep up the good work!
When I tried the Reedwood Reeds for the first time I was very impressed with how easy the initial set up was as they were literally "plug & play". They tuned instantly at the correct position just above the hemp on the tenors and in the perfect position for the bass. Not only were they instantly sitting at the correct tuning position but I found them extremely easy to lock in tune and more importantly they held in tune which is something I always look for when trying out new reeds in our pipes.
The reeds blend great together with the tenors producing a lovely smooth sound complimented by a deep rich bass that is very much like the cane sound most pipers try to achieve these days.
I will have no hesitation in recommended these reeds to our customers in future when enquiring about a new set of pipes.
Keep up the good work!
Craig Munro is the Master Craftsman and Production Director of Wallace Bagpipes, Glasgow, Scotland. He is also an instructor for The College of Piping and The National Piping Centre, teaching at their workshops all over the world.
Craig has played in Grade 1 now for over 10 years after joining Shotts & Dykehead at the age of 15. He has since played with Dysart & Dundonald, The Clan Gregor Society and was Pipe Major of Clydebank Pipe Band coming runners up in the Grade 3A Scottish, European, Cowal and World Pipe Band Championships in 2008 who were promoted to Grade 2 after his first year in charge.
He then returned to play with the House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band, which would turn out to be Robert Mathieson's final year as Pipe Major of the band. Craig says "Standing beside Robert on his farewell performance as Pipe Major will always be one of the highlights of my piping career".
He now plays with the 2010 World Pipe Band Champions, St Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band and is also a member of the world famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Some of Craig's notable performances out with the competition circuit have been playing on the BBC Hogmanay Live Show, performing as the finale piper at T in the Park to a crowd of 50,000 and recording soundtracks for the new Disney Pixar movie "Brave" due for release in August 2012.
Craig has played in Grade 1 now for over 10 years after joining Shotts & Dykehead at the age of 15. He has since played with Dysart & Dundonald, The Clan Gregor Society and was Pipe Major of Clydebank Pipe Band coming runners up in the Grade 3A Scottish, European, Cowal and World Pipe Band Championships in 2008 who were promoted to Grade 2 after his first year in charge.
He then returned to play with the House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band, which would turn out to be Robert Mathieson's final year as Pipe Major of the band. Craig says "Standing beside Robert on his farewell performance as Pipe Major will always be one of the highlights of my piping career".
He now plays with the 2010 World Pipe Band Champions, St Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band and is also a member of the world famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Some of Craig's notable performances out with the competition circuit have been playing on the BBC Hogmanay Live Show, performing as the finale piper at T in the Park to a crowd of 50,000 and recording soundtracks for the new Disney Pixar movie "Brave" due for release in August 2012.
Fiona Manson
There's not too much to say that hasn't already been said about the redwood drone reeds.
The tone from the reeds is beautifully rich and is without a doubt one of the best alternatives to cane available. I'm also very impressed with their tolerance for moisture. The redwood body absorbs excess moisture and greatly improves their stability and playing time.
This really is a great product.
The tone from the reeds is beautifully rich and is without a doubt one of the best alternatives to cane available. I'm also very impressed with their tolerance for moisture. The redwood body absorbs excess moisture and greatly improves their stability and playing time.
This really is a great product.
Fiona is from Christchurch, New Zealand and has been playing pipes since she was fourteen years old. She has played for a number of pipe bands over the years but her main passion has always been for solo piping and in particular for piobaireachd. Most of Fiona's early tuition was from Donald Gannaway.
Fiona's piping achievements in New Zealand include winning the Gold Medal at Hastings in 1998, the Silver Chanter at Christchurch in 2000 and the Clasp at Hastings in the same year.
In 2001 Fiona moved to Scotland to continue her piping. She receives piobaireachd tuition from Andrew Wright of Dunblane.
In 2002 Fiona won the Northern Meeting Silver Medal and has competed regularly in the Gold Medal competitions at Oban and Inverness, gaining prizes in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
As well as numerous prizes around the games circuit she has won the A grade Piobaireachd at both London and Inveraray twice and prized in the Dunvegan Medal competition in Skye on four occasions.
After a long break from pipe bands she joined Cullen in 2011.
Fiona has also done some judging and has twice recorded for Pipeline programmes.
Fiona's piping achievements in New Zealand include winning the Gold Medal at Hastings in 1998, the Silver Chanter at Christchurch in 2000 and the Clasp at Hastings in the same year.
In 2001 Fiona moved to Scotland to continue her piping. She receives piobaireachd tuition from Andrew Wright of Dunblane.
In 2002 Fiona won the Northern Meeting Silver Medal and has competed regularly in the Gold Medal competitions at Oban and Inverness, gaining prizes in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
As well as numerous prizes around the games circuit she has won the A grade Piobaireachd at both London and Inveraray twice and prized in the Dunvegan Medal competition in Skye on four occasions.
After a long break from pipe bands she joined Cullen in 2011.
Fiona has also done some judging and has twice recorded for Pipeline programmes.
Bernard Bouhadana
I was honestly surprised with the quallity of the RedWood reeds.
Sound is rich and full, and they were steady from the minute I put them in my pipes.
So far, I haven't changed anything and it doesn't seem like I'll have to - High level piping requires a high level of tone. RedWood reeds deliver just that.
Sound is rich and full, and they were steady from the minute I put them in my pipes.
So far, I haven't changed anything and it doesn't seem like I'll have to - High level piping requires a high level of tone. RedWood reeds deliver just that.
Bernard is a former front rank piper with both the Simon Fraser University and Field Marshal Montgomery pipe band, and has won the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championships.
On the solo scene he has won numerous prizes at Oban, Inverness and London as well as profesisonal competitions in the US and Canada.
Bernard is also the founder of the www.beatmacreed.com website, which provides a platform for piping tuition with videos, lessons, explanations, a forum and a lot more. The website is 100% free for all to use.
Bernard is a professional music teahcer and is currently teaching piping on workshops and schools around the World.
On the solo scene he has won numerous prizes at Oban, Inverness and London as well as profesisonal competitions in the US and Canada.
Bernard is also the founder of the www.beatmacreed.com website, which provides a platform for piping tuition with videos, lessons, explanations, a forum and a lot more. The website is 100% free for all to use.
Bernard is a professional music teahcer and is currently teaching piping on workshops and schools around the World.
Craig Sutherland
On first inspection I was very impressed with the quality of the build. I always enjoy seeing different designs of drone reeds and these reeds certainly made an impression on me before I had tried them. I tried the reeds in different sets of pipes and for each set I was introduced to a rich sound that varied slightly in quality but at no point reached an extreme; too loud or too quiet. The reeds matched well with the pipes I play in solo competitions and I suspect they would be ideal for competing outdoors around the games. Further, their steadiness matched, if not bettered, other reeds made of natural materials. I liked that the reeds provided that extra dimension you get from a natural material whilst also giving you the option to easily adjust the reed unlike traditional cane drone reeds. I would say that like cane these reeds must be played regularly. I shall be continuing to play these reeds on the build-up to season ’19 and hope to integrate them into my current set-up.
Craig is an up and coming competing piper from Crieff in Perthshire, Scotland. In 2005, Craig joined the Vale of Atholl Novice Juvenile competing band where he played for 3 seasons.
In addition to his success with the Vale, he was also part of the National Youth Pipe Band and along with his tutor Ron Clarke, started the Crieff High School Pipe band.
In 2015 Craig joined the ranks of Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
Craig has competed solo from the offset and is a regular prize winner throughout Scotland. Craig features in the senior competitions and most notably, in the 2017 season, Craig won the Highland Society of London Gold Medal for Piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering. In October 2017, Craig made his debut performance at the Glenfiddich Piping Championship where he placed 4th in the MSR.
In addition to his success with the Vale, he was also part of the National Youth Pipe Band and along with his tutor Ron Clarke, started the Crieff High School Pipe band.
In 2015 Craig joined the ranks of Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
Craig has competed solo from the offset and is a regular prize winner throughout Scotland. Craig features in the senior competitions and most notably, in the 2017 season, Craig won the Highland Society of London Gold Medal for Piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering. In October 2017, Craig made his debut performance at the Glenfiddich Piping Championship where he placed 4th in the MSR.
Lionel Le Page (Uilleann-Pipes)
It’s been a few months since I play the RedWood uilleann-pipes drone reeds. I play them on my Seth Gallagher set and I have to say that I’m more than happy with the reeds.
Being myself a professional musician, I often have to adapt to different conditions of temperature and humidity (very warm stages/cold tuning rooms) and these reeds never let me down!
I must add that they are very steady and the tone quality of the reeds is very rich in harmonics. I’d be surprised is any piper could tell the difference between the RedWood uilleann-pipes drone reeds and cane reeds! I’m really happy with them!
Being myself a professional musician, I often have to adapt to different conditions of temperature and humidity (very warm stages/cold tuning rooms) and these reeds never let me down!
I must add that they are very steady and the tone quality of the reeds is very rich in harmonics. I’d be surprised is any piper could tell the difference between the RedWood uilleann-pipes drone reeds and cane reeds! I’m really happy with them!
Lionel Le Page started to learn the highland bagpipes with the Bagad de Vannes in 1992 and led the band a few years later.
After a degree in musicology, he was a bagpipes teacher employed by the Bagad association and became a professional musician since then.
He learnt the biniou koz, the veuze and the uilleann-pipes and is now involed in several projects including Startijenn, Roland Becker (Immrama, ONB, Gavottophone, ...), Carlos Nuñez, Dan ar Braz, Bran Project, Gwelloc'h, AlbinoniX, Orchestre National de Jazz, etc.
He is also a duet player with Ivonig Le Mestre, Roland Becker, Eric Ollu and won many prizes.
After a degree in musicology, he was a bagpipes teacher employed by the Bagad association and became a professional musician since then.
He learnt the biniou koz, the veuze and the uilleann-pipes and is now involed in several projects including Startijenn, Roland Becker (Immrama, ONB, Gavottophone, ...), Carlos Nuñez, Dan ar Braz, Bran Project, Gwelloc'h, AlbinoniX, Orchestre National de Jazz, etc.
He is also a duet player with Ivonig Le Mestre, Roland Becker, Eric Ollu and won many prizes.
Loic Bléjean (Uilleann-Pipes)
I have been making my reeds for 20 years, and I always used cane for my chanter, regs and of course drone reeds. I wanted to give a try with Redwood reeds for one reason: steadiness…..and I haven't been disappointed! They needed some adjustments on my set (made by Brendan Ring, designed after a Crowley set from the 30s), but now, they're steady! They have more mid, and a great response, more than my cane reeds, and it's pretty easy to adjust their volume to the right balance between the three drones, then with the whole set. Well done Xavier!
Loïc Bléjean is a Breton uilleann pipes and low whistle player. Deeply rooted in Irish traditional music, he is also a very versatile musician, having taken part in many different projects over the last twenty five years.
He started with the pipes in 1989 under the tuition of Alain Le Hegarat, and then traveled a lot in Ireland, where he met many great musicians, in particular piper Brendan Ring.
In 1996, he shared the stage with fiddler Paul Flynn and singer/guitar player David Muldrew for the first of several residencies at McGurk's, the famous Irish venue in St. Louis, Missouri.
Former member of influential bands (pop-rock "Glaz", French Canadian "Gwazigan"), he joined fest-noz leading group Carré Manchot in 2007, bringing the irish pipes to the fine art of breton dance music.
Among the recent musical experiences (orchestral ensemble "Ars'Ys", or progressive rock "Children in Paradise"), he is now working with jazz musicians Gildas & JB Boclé, in the exciting Keltic Tales Quartet. A new album, freshly recorded in NYC and Brittany, will be released in 2014. He also plays duets with New Yorker Louisa Bennion (concertina), London-born Tad Sargent (bouzouki, bodhrán, vocals), Bretons Ronan Pellen (cittern) or Ludo Mesnil (guitars).
He started with the pipes in 1989 under the tuition of Alain Le Hegarat, and then traveled a lot in Ireland, where he met many great musicians, in particular piper Brendan Ring.
In 1996, he shared the stage with fiddler Paul Flynn and singer/guitar player David Muldrew for the first of several residencies at McGurk's, the famous Irish venue in St. Louis, Missouri.
Former member of influential bands (pop-rock "Glaz", French Canadian "Gwazigan"), he joined fest-noz leading group Carré Manchot in 2007, bringing the irish pipes to the fine art of breton dance music.
Among the recent musical experiences (orchestral ensemble "Ars'Ys", or progressive rock "Children in Paradise"), he is now working with jazz musicians Gildas & JB Boclé, in the exciting Keltic Tales Quartet. A new album, freshly recorded in NYC and Brittany, will be released in 2014. He also plays duets with New Yorker Louisa Bennion (concertina), London-born Tad Sargent (bouzouki, bodhrán, vocals), Bretons Ronan Pellen (cittern) or Ludo Mesnil (guitars).
Yoann an Nedeleg (Uilleann-Pipes)
I have always played cane reeds and I'm learning to make them by myself but I really appreciated Xavier and Jakez Boderiou's work here. The RedWood uilleann pipes reeds are steady and you can adjust the overall volume. I often play with amplified instruments and I must say that these reeds are ideal in that context!
Yoann an Nedeleg started to learn traditional music with the bombard in Saint Brieuc. After learning the biniou-kozh with Stephan Foll at SKV, he learned the uilleann pipes with Loic Blejean, one of the best pipers in Brittany and took over teaching there.
He's currently doing a Master of Arts, Irish Music Performance at the Irish World School of music and dance in Limerick (2013) and is taught by Blackie O'Connell, Ronan Browne, Tyler Duncan, Tiarnan O’Duinchinn, Cillian Vallely, Mikie Smyth...
His musical journey consisted in playing with many great names of traditional breton music such as Carré Manchot, Hadouk Trio, Rémi Martin, le duo Martin-Pinc, trio Bléjean-Cureau, Gwennyn and Hopi Hopkins.
He is also playing with the Skaramaka band since 2008 and Hopi Hopkins since 2012.
He's currently doing a Master of Arts, Irish Music Performance at the Irish World School of music and dance in Limerick (2013) and is taught by Blackie O'Connell, Ronan Browne, Tyler Duncan, Tiarnan O’Duinchinn, Cillian Vallely, Mikie Smyth...
His musical journey consisted in playing with many great names of traditional breton music such as Carré Manchot, Hadouk Trio, Rémi Martin, le duo Martin-Pinc, trio Bléjean-Cureau, Gwennyn and Hopi Hopkins.
He is also playing with the Skaramaka band since 2008 and Hopi Hopkins since 2012.