Thursday, April 3d |5p-6:30p| (CONCERT ONLY) Bundle and save with workshops! Bundle SKU: COLLINS-TRIO-BUNDLE-APR3 (https://www.elderly.com/products/collins-release-party-workshop-bundle?variant=44115844825279)

5x JUNO nominee and 7x Canadian Folk Music Award winner Andrew Collins and his Trio mates would love to join you for an in store CD release performance of The Rule of Three, which was recently nominated for three 2025 CFMAs! 

Mando maestro Andrew Collins finds himself – through no actual fault of his own – at the epicentre of Canada’s acoustic/roots music scene. He didn’t invent it – but he’s certainly been a major contributor, having co-founded seriously noteworthy Canadian bands like the Creaking Tree String Quartet, the Foggy Hogtown Boys and, more recently, his namesake Trio. That’s not to mention the fact that this prolific, robust performer – comfortable on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, mandola and mandocello – composes, produces, arranges, writes and teaches across multiple genres, including a popular collision of folk, jazz, bluegrass, celtic, and chamber.

As Collins gathers up innumerable JUNO nominations (5) and Canadian Folk Music Awards (7) won by his various ensembles, he’s zeroing in on the work he does with Trio-mates:  fellow string guru Adam Shier, whose versatility shines through on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and in-the-pocket James McEleney holding it down on the bass, mandocello and vocals.

Showcasing a dizzying number of styles and instruments on stage, Collins and Co. appear to live by the old adage, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop”, likely keeping them just ahead of his grasp. Bending and blending genres, these musical shape shifters land somewhere between the re-imagined worlds of Béla Fleck and Newgrass invader, David Grisman.

The Trio just released their aptly titled album, “The Rule of Three”, drawing inspiration from the literary principle that a trio of elements is more impactful, intricately weaving together visual and literary art’s “rule of thirds”. It’s an ingeniously intertwined homage to the trio’s unique and kinetic synergy.

They serve up an electrifying fusion of high energy folk, acoustic roots, Newgrass and even a dash of chamber. The show is half vocals and half instrumental (or can make either the focus).

They also have a fun array of workshops/masterclasses (mandolin, guitar, violin, mandola, mandocello, bass, banjo) for students of all ages and abilities (https://www.andrewcollinstrio.com/education)

Andrew Collins
Mando maestro Andrew Collins finds himself – through no actual fault of his own – at the epicentre of Canada’s acoustic/roots music scene. He didn’t invent it – but he’s certainly been a major contributor, having co-founded seriously noteworthy Canadian bands like the Creaking Tree String Quartet, the Foggy Hogtown Boys and his namesake Trio. That’s not to mention the fact that this prolific, robust performer – comfortable on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, mandola and mandocello – composes, produces, arranges, writes and teaches across multiple genres, including an electrifying fusion of folk, jazz, bluegrass, celtic, and chamber. As Collins gathers up innumerable JUNO nominations (5) and Canadian Folk Music Awards (7) won by his various ensembles, he’s zeroing in on the work he does with Trio-mates:  fellow string guru Adam Shier, whose versatility shines through on guitar and mandolin, and in-the-pocket James McEleney holding it down on the bass, mandocello and vocals.
His Trio was just nominated for 3 CFMAs for their new release, The Rule of Three!

Adam Shier is a dynamic force in the world of progressive bluegrass, known for his role as the founder of the Toronto-based band The Unseen Strangers. His innovative approach to bluegrass earned the band the 2013 Delfest Bluegrass Band Competition title, and their album Follow the Sound garnered international acclaim, including an International Acoustic Music Award for "Rambler’s Plea." In addition to his work with The Unseen Strangers, Shier is a key member of the Andrew Collins Trio and shares his expertise as a guitar instructor at the Old School Bluegrass Camp, having taught in 2015, 2017, and 2022. His blend of technical skill and creative flair continues to shape the contemporary bluegrass scene.

James McEleney is a versatile bassist and composer based in Toronto, renowned for his contributions to the city's vibrant jazz, bluegrass, and roots scenes. A graduate of York University, he is a key member of A Sondheim Jazz Project, The Unseen Strangers, and The Andrew Collins Trio. James is also a multi-award-winning artist, with several Canadian Folk Music Awards to his name. His extensive touring has taken him across Europe and the U.S., performing with a diverse range of artists, including Jane Bunnett, Friendly Rich, Sarah Jane Scouten, and Project Traveler. James' mastery of multiple genres and his dynamic presence on stage make him a standout figure in Canadian music