Jiggernaut

Jiggernaut was formed in 1999 by Wolf Loescher, Deanna Smith-Scotland, and Matthew Williams as a “supergroup” idea out of friendships that developed as their bands (Sixmilebridge, Free Whiski, The Blarney Brothers) regularly appeared on the same stages at festivals and concert venues across North America. They recruited Williams’ long-time rhythm section partner Rodger Harrison on Bass, Accordionist Brendan O’Sullivan (Full Circle), and Piper Richard Kean to complete the nucleus of a recording project combining their shared influences in Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Progressive Rock, American Folk with their love of Scottish and Irish pipe and fiddle tunes and songs, and Anglo-Celtic folk and folk rock. The result was their critically acclaimed 1999 debut album “In Search of More”, which includes guest appearances by Brian McNeil, Tim Britton, John Evans, and others.

The success of that album and the subsequent festival and concert appearances in support of it led the band to decide to continue recording and performing, and that they have done. They released the albums “Evolution” in 2002 and “The Well” in 2009, and have been playing festivals and concerts throughout.

Following the heart-breaking death of founder, Deanna Smith-Scotland in 2019, the band decided to stop, grieve, reconvene, and decide what to do. The original verdict was it just wouldn’t feel right to do it with anyone else, then Deanna’s life-long friend (and daughter of founding member Williams), the powerhouse Musical Theater professional Amanda Williams-Ware offered to join in Deanna’s honor and keep the music moving forward. The band agreed that she was the only person that would work, and the result has been a re-energized band performing music with a powerful and new sound that augments their existing repertoire beautifully.

As of August 2022 they are in the process of recording their next album due for release December 2022, and are again playing live performances to enthusiastic audiences.

“A band that knows how to rock, but hasn’t forgotten how to think.” -Brian McNeill

“Bagpipes AND vocals. Songs AND tunes. Respect for Celtic tradition while redefining Celtic rock. No Screaming, just powerful harmonies and great musicianship. Amanda Williams Ware sings like an angel, Richard Kean plays like the devil, and Linda Relph dazzles on fiddle. Add that bad-ass, seasoned, rock and roll backline plus a whole lot of fun and you get Jiggernaut. So the question stands: "Is Jiggernaut a Celtic band with a rock-n-roll sensibility, or a rock-n-roll band with a Celtic sensibility? Either way Jiggernaut ROCKS!!” - Craig Scotland