About Highland Soles

We've performed as a family band since 2003, based in New England but also performing throughout the US, in Canada, and in Scotland.  Laura & Ed have worked together for over 30 years.  Down the road we'll have much to say about Lilly & Jesse.  For now, here’s more about Laura, Ed, and Neil:

Laura Scott has performed with Natalie MacMaster, Alasdair Fraser, Battlefield Band, Joe Cormier, Tony Cuffe and many other great Celtic artists. As a teacher she is well grounded in tradition (member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing, and on the Judges Panel of the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing) but also loves to push the artistic envelope and meld Highland, Cape Breton step and Highland folk to reflect the vital pulse of Scottish music. She has presented school programs, and taught at dance and music camps such as Pinewoods, Valley of the Moon, Ashokan, and others, in addition to her own school.

Ed Pearlman is best known for 30 years of performing and teaching Scottish and Cape Breton fiddling. He directed the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club for 18 years, and has taught many workshops and lessons, including Maine Fiddle Camp and the Blazin Fiddles camp in Beauly, Scotland; Ohio Scottish Arts School 1994-2009; Swannanoa Celtic Week; Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp; Pinewoods; Ashokan. He currently teaches fiddle in Portland Maine. He directed and performed in Boston's Celtic Festival at the Hatch Shell for 7 years, the Scottish Fiddle Rally in Boston for 15 years (CD available on Greentrax Recordings), judged many Scottish fiddle competitions (including four US Nationals) and led workshops throughout the USA and in Canada and Scotland. Ed has also played contra dances (directing Roaring Jelly for 3 years), swing jazz, classical concerts and pit orchestras, klezmer, Hungarian, and other dance music. He has written the music column for Scottish Life magazine since 1996.

Neil Pearlman is emerging as one of the traditional music scene's most innovative young artists. Legendary Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland said that "watching Neil's hands on the piano is like watching two spiders on crack!" His piano style seamlessly blends Cape Breton traditions with jazz harmony and funk/rock grooves. The result is a exciting new sound that remains true to its traditional roots. An accomplished Cape Breton step dancer and mandolinist as well, Neil has performed with many of the best musicians on the traditional music scene today, including Natalie MacMaster, Alasdair Fraser, Seamus Connolly, Kimberley Fraser, Abby Newton, Frank Ferrel, Maeve Gilchrist, Mike Vass and Ed Pearlman.

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Lilly Pearlman is a multi-talented fiddler and dancer, having majored in dance but also touring with Neil’s band, Alba’s Edge, and with the contradance band, Party of Three.  In both bands her fiddling is featured.  She has taught and performed fiddle and dance for many years.