BIOGRAPHY

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Passionate. Creative. Captivating. Karrnnel is without a doubt one of Canada's most accomplished and innovative fiddlers and musicians as a recording artist, teacher, performer and composer. Karrnnel is changing the face of fiddle music.

In 2018, Karrnnel will be busy performing around the world with tours booked across Canada, the US and Europe, just as he has completed in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. In addition to this, he will continue his process of writing music that is distinctly his voice and that which transforms the ideals of what the fiddle can do. With 3 albums in the works for 2018, this is the year that Karrnnel is set to truly ink his mark in the music world.
Karrnnel has been honing his skills on the fiddle for over twenty-nine years and he has garnered numerous awards, nominations and high acclaim to his name.  A wildly dynamic live performer, he is consistently invited to showcase and perform on the provincial, national and international stage.  Known for his distinct style and exceptional technique, Karrnnel is highly regarded for his unique approach in breaking new ground in the traditional fiddle world.

Karrnnel has established himself as one of the most original and decorated musicians in the country. He is the most successful competition fiddle player in Saskatchewan’s history, is multi-nominated and a winner at the Western Canadian Music awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards - including a nomination for Solo Instrumentalist of the Year - and was nominated for Instrumental Song of the Year at the 2012 International Independent Music Awards.

Since the age of 4, he grew up playing in a family band with his two sisters (Kimberly and Kanndece on fiddle) and his father (Orest on accordion) traveling all across North America as The Sawitsky Family Fiddlers. From there, Karrnnel has gone on to develop a successful and critically acclaimed performance and recording career which includes performances all across North America and Europe and the release of 5 award nominated albums since 2009.
In late 2011, Karrnnel and three musical friends formed a new band called The Fretless and in 2017 they won the JUNO Award for Instrumental Album of the Year for their album Bird’s Nest. 2018 will mark the release of their fourth studio album, while their debut album 'Waterbound' and followup self-titled albums were met with critical acclaim across Canada, the US, and Europe.

Karrnnel is one of the most active and authentic composers of fiddle music around the world. He has composed over 300 songs to date, and in 2010, he began the process of writing full orchestrations for his original music (an exercise he continues today). Karrnnel is also very active on the education/teaching side of music sharing his musical gift at various music camps, workshops and school workshops across Canada that focus on sharing the traditions of old time music and dance.

Weather he is teaching, performing, writing, collaborating, arranging, or recording, Karrnnel consistently amazes audiences with his passion and expertise of the music he plays.

DISCOGRAPHY

Karrnnel (self-titled) - 2009
101 (single) - 2012
Crazy Old Man - 2018
SKMB - 2018

Fretless albums:
Waterbound - 2012
The Fretless (self titled) - 2014
Bird’s Nest (JUNO winner) - 2016
Live From The Art Farm - 2018

Fiddle and Banjo Albums:
Fiddle and Banjo - 2010
Tunes from the North, Songs from the South - 2015