Ah, August in the Bay Area: foggy mornings, languid afternoons, and . . . the Freight Fiddle Summit! Once again, we're proud to host the annual kickoff for Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling Camp, a rousing evening of fiddle magic from some of Celtic music's most celebrated players.

Fiddle Summit host, Alasdair Fraser, is justly renowned for his warmth and wit as well as his music. One of Scotland's most valued tradition-bearers, his richly expressive playing transports listeners across a broad spectrum ranging from haunting laments drawn from the Gaelic tradition to classically styled airs and raucous dance tunes, all delivered with sincerity, flawless virtuosity and the sweetest of sounds. Tonight Alasdair performs with brilliant young cellist Natalie Haas, showcasing selections from his recent album, Fire and Grace, and Legacy of the Scottish Fiddle, Vol. II. which is scheduled for release next month.

Widely considered the foremost exponent of New England-style fiddling, Rodney Miller's light touch and beautiful tone add a unique lyricism to this uniquely American blend of French Canadian and Celtic influences. The Boston Globe compared him to "a seasoned storyteller, describing in lyrical detail a different episode of life with each swing of the bow." Designated a Master Fiddler by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1983, Rodney's recordings like Airplang (Rounder) have become classics for fiddlers worldwide, and many of his original compositions have gone on to become fiddle tune standards.

The roots of fiddler Jennifer Wrigley and her twin sister, guitarist and pianist Hazel -- they were born and raised in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland -- are evident in their fluid, powerful playing. The duo's fifth album, Skyran, draws heavily on the traditional music of Orkney, with the sisters' own compositions providing sparkling counterpoint. The Wrigley sisters' appeal reflects both the high caliber of their music and the effervescent charm of their performances, combining masterful, inventive playing and youthful freshness, well spiced with stories of their native islands.