Musicians pays tribute to legend

Artist-Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk
Album-OmEigwessi Reel Métis ­
A tribute to Walter Flett
Song-Medicine Fiddle
Label- Independent
Producer-Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk

These days, Métis fiddlers are few and far between since many of the old masters have left us for the spirit world.
But thanks to young musicians like Toronto's Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk, old favourites are receiving new life. The classical-trained musician received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council to spend time learning fiddle tunes with Lawrence "Teddy Boy Houle" in 2006, and the result is a new CD entitled Oméigwessi Reel Métis ­ A tribute to Walter Flett. The late Walter Flett was Teddy Boy's father, who played at old-time dances at the Bosco Centre every Friday night in Winnipeg in the late 60's and early 70's.
Oméigwessi means Ukrainian in Ojibway and it was Walter's nickname. Oméigwessi Reel Métis is the real deal ­ a true reflection of 'old time' Ebb and Flow Métis style and the waltzes, two-steps, square dances and reels Walter Flett played for years. With the first track named Robert Sanderson's Cow, your toe will be tapping, and you'll want to get right into a good session of Métis aerobics upon hearing the rest of the tunes. At the other end of the scale from the racous reels are tunes like the softer Medicine Fiddle so named because of the healing sounds made by the violin's strings tuned in a way to make their sound more soothing.
All in all, Alyssa and her Oméigwessi Ensemble (made up of her brothers, two other musicians and Teddy Boy and Jimmy Flett, both sons of Walter) bring Métis traditional music a unique youthful energy with old-style melodies. Alyssa may live in the city, but her Métis ancestry is deeply rooted in Manitoba, and it shows on this CD.