Slipjig - Electronic Press Kit
Fiddle and Guitar Duo | Christopher Becknell & David Crittenden
About Slipjig
Our âmusical laboratoryâ started on the porch with reading sessions and jam sessions on Irish and American fiddle tunes. From those first moments, it became clear that we wanted to bring new feelings and new sounds to old tunes. Gradually we began adding pop, rock, and jazz tunes into the mixâalways looking for an expression that would be our own. In recent years, weâve added original tunes into the mix. We consider our work to be âgenre-busting,â and now we freely include the use of pedals and effects along with our natural, acoustic-sounding instruments.
We put together shows to take the listener across a varied and captivating sonic and emotional landscape. Our audiences include people of all ages. We may see children and/or retired couples dancing. This makes us happy because we work to make our music relate to anyone, anytime.
In addition to performing, we are both experienced music teachers and enjoy working with young musicians. Christopher Becknell has led the Young Fiddlers of Minnesota for the past five years, with David Crittenden accompanying and assisting. Each year, the Young Fiddlers perform on the Cosgrove Stage on opening day at the Minnesota State Fair. We welcome opportunities to incorporate educational or community outreach components into our engagements, such as youth workshops, informal masterclasses, or participatory performances.
Meet the Musicians
Christopher Becknell â Fiddle
A versatile Twin Cities performer and educator, Christopher is known for his creative fiddle work and leadership of the Young Fiddlers of Minnesota.
Christopher Becknell is a Twin Cities musician who freelances in many musical styles. An accomplished Classical and Fingerstyle Guitarist, he also performs on Fiddle in a wide range of styles from Classical, Celtic, Bluegrass and Old-Time to Rock and Hot Club Jazz Violin. In addition to performing, he has also been on the faculty at Minneapolis Community and Technical College and runs his own Suzuki Method music program for children and their parents at MacPhail Center for Music and his private studio in Minneapolis. In 2015, Christopher released an album of Fingerstyle Gospel and Folk song arrangements for solo guitar called Just Beyond the River. It has received playtime on The Current, Minnesota Public Radio, and KBEMâs Bluegrass Saturday Morning.
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David Crittenden â Guitar
David brings decades of classical training, ensemble experience, and genre-blending artistry to Slipjigâs unique sound.
David Crittenden has a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Georgia, where he studied with John Sutherland. He received his Master of Music degree from Ball State University, where he studied with Paul Reilly. For ten years, he was a member of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet.
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Promo Photos
Christopher Becknell (fiddle) and David Crittenden (guitar)
Photo by Dan Crittenden. Free for press use.
Christopher Becknell (fiddle) and David Crittenden (guitar)
Photo by Dan Crittenden. Free for press use.
Live Video
What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor / Johnny, Johnny, Don't Get Drunk
Possum Up a Gum Stump / Temperance Reel / The Mouth of the Tobique
Audio Samples
St. Anne's Reel / The Musical Priest
The Star of the County Down
ARecording
Reel Feel is Slipjigâs debut album, featuring traditional tunes, original compositions, and inventive arrangements drawn from Celtic, jazz, and pop influences. It captures the duoâs dynamic live energy and genre-blending style.
Listen or purchase on Bandcamp.
What Presenters Are Saying
"I also wanted to give a shout out to Aprilâs concert with Slipjig â they were unbelievable! The crowd LOVED the concert and how they interacted with the audience. So much fun and their musical talent was amazingâŚfolks stopping by my office all week to tell me how wonderful that concert was and when am I bringing them back đ." â Kristin Aitchison, Creative Ventures Director, Episcopal Homes, Saint Paul, MN
"It is your demonstrative thoughtfulness (and a dozen other reasons) that will bring me to invite Slipjig again and again. The program was outstandingâŚ" â Sue Ruby, Concert Presenter, Fridays in the Valley, Golden Valley, MN
Technical Info
Slipjig travels light, brings its own amplification, and is flexible with venue setups. For complete information on stage layout, audio needs, and hospitality requests, please download our performance rider:
Booking & Contact
For booking information and other questions, just leave us a message below and weâll get right back to you!
Website: www.slipjigmusic.com