Get ready to stomp your feet, laugh, cry, and hear sounds you’ve never heard before with this electrifying and genre-defying chamber-folk band. Wielding a sound that could turn classical music scholars to stone, these four folk innovators are reimagining the Western string quartet. Medusa Quartet cross-pollinates traditional music from around the world with original tunes, classical pieces, engaging stories, and their one-of-a-kind stringed instruments to create a “must-see live show!” (Sam Boer, Exclaim!).
Medusa Quartet is truly unique in Canada, distinguished by its rare and compelling combination of instruments. Marta Sołek plays the Bilgoray Suka and the Płock Fidel from Poland, instruments that were made completely extinct and reconstructed in 1980 based on paintings from the 19th century. There are less than 50 people in the whole world that know how to play these instruments. Saskia Tomkins plays the Nyckelharpa from Sweden, a medieval-age fiddle that almost died out in the 20th century, but was resurrected by Erik Sahlström in the 1960’s. There is no other group in the country, and likely the world, that blends the sounds of these particular instruments together.
By inviting back voices previously regarded as too ugly for “polite society,” Medusa tempts us to redefine what is beautiful. One of the most misunderstood figures in ancient mythology, Medusa was wrongfully punished and cast out for being the victim of a violent act, but is remembered solely for her frightful ugliness and lithifying gaze. As a band made up of female, 2SLGBTQ, BIPOC, immigrant, and neurodiverse artists, they resonate with Medusa’s story and hope to amplify the voices of these communities.
With their debut EP, nominated for a 2024 Canadian Folk Music Award, Medusa harnesses the sounds of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian, Classical and Eastern European music, as well as original compositions, to create something previously unheard. With this debut release, they connect audiences across dividing lines of culture and identity to reveal the common threads beneath. In the last several years they have toured across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, including shows at Roy Thomson Hall, Calgary Folk Festival, Hugh’s Room Live, Calliope House, the Rogue Folk Club, and many more. Their music has been featured numerous times on CBC, CKUA, and Polish National Radio, and their EP was featured as one of Roots Music Canada’s favorite new discoveries of 2023.
As individuals and as a group, Medusa Quartet has extensive experience teaching children and adults of all ages. They teach individual lessons, group workshops, and community events across Canada, the US and the UK and are in demand as instructors and guest clinicians for festivals, schools, fiddle orchestras, camps, residencies, and events.
Medusa’s first full-length album, “Weaving Gold in Broken Places,” will be released in February 2026 and they will be embarking on a release tour of Canada, the US, and Europe.
$30 general admission