From Scotsville, Cape Breton, Patrick Gillis grew up with traditional music being played almost constantly in his home. His father, uncle, and two older brothers playing the fiddle gave Paddy a great appreciation and understanding of Cape Breton music. Along with his love for the music, he brings a great amount of energy that can be heard in his accompaniment and in his solos. Being left-handed and only having right-handed guitars around, Patrick learned to play up-side down and backwards, because “no one ever told me the difference,” he says. Patrick has toured the U.S. with Cuillin, appeared in Howie’s Celtic Brew, played with Ashley MacIsaac, Natalie MacMaster, and Glenn Graham, and has performed in festivals throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe with Beòlach. He will be playing with Ian MacDougall, Kenneth MacKenzie, and Mac Morin and in a special concert honouring Cape Breton piano legend Betty Beaton during the Festival this year.