Schedule

Recordings

Chris Bain (Fiddle)

Chris Bain, a highly-accomplished Chicago-born fiddler, is also one of Bua's co-founders and and at its instrumental heart. Much of Bua's innovation can be contributed to Christy's varied musical background including traditional Irish, Welsh and Scottish, and even Bluegrass!

Chris began playing violin at age five. Growing up in a musical family, he was encouraged to experiment and expand his musical influences. He became multi-instrumental, though the fiddle would remain his primary instrument. In his early teens though he realized his true passion was with Irish music.

While attending university, Chris spent an exchange year at the University of Wales, Bangor. During that time he toured with Welsh triple harpist Robin Huw Bowen (Crasdant) in Germany, headlined at a North Wales fiddle festival (Ffidlan), performed with top Welsh fiddlers Stephen Rees (Ar Log & Crasdant) and Huw Roberts (4 yn y Bar) at The Mid Wales Folk Festival, and appeared on Welsh TV (S4C) with Welsh trad group Crasdant. Stateside, Christy has taught and performed at several Welsh cultural events.

An avid session musician, Chris frequently traveled to Ireland to trade tunes and hone his skills. A mainstay of the local Irish session in Bangor, he also helped to initiate Bangor's first regular Welsh session. Now an integral part of Chicago's Irish music scene, he can often be found leading or sitting in on numerous sessions throughout the Chicago area.

Prior to co-founding Bua with Jackie, Chris was a member of The Drovers for two years, and was invited to tour with Gaelic Storm. He has performed locally with a number of prominent Irish musicians, including Dennis Cahill (Hayes & Cahill) and Pat Broaders (bohola). When not performing with Bua, he regularly plays with another Chicago Irish band, Anish, and the Trinity Irish Dance Company.

Besides recording with Bua, Chris’ playing can be found on James Conway's Mouthbox CD (2002, Mouthbox Productions) and is currently planning a solo album.