Review, Violin-to-Fiddle Concert at Haller Lake Community Club, Seattle, 01/12/08

By Stewart Hendrickson

On Saturday, Jan. 12th the Haller Lake Arts Council produced a concert, Violin-to-Fiddle, with two talented local violin/fiddle players. If you weren’t there you missed a fantastic concert - one of the best I've heard in the past year, even if I am biased (disclaimer: I produced the concert).

It started off with Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, a full 5-piece band on a not-too-large-stage. But they filled the hall with some driving gypsy jazz. Ranger Sciacca, of course, was superb with his hot licks, slides and creative, syncopated leads on violin. And he had some great backup. David Stewart on mandolin played lead along with Ranger and was also very hot. Michael Sciacca, Ranger's father played backup guitar along with Todd Houton on bass and Jeff Moose on percussion. They played mostly fast jazz, but also a few nice slower tunes. They were a very tight-knit group. After the concert Ranger had to hit the road to Walla Walla to get ready for his classes at Whitman College.

Sarah Comer played the second half, backed up with great guitar playing by her father, Emmett. I loaned Sarah my fiddle pickup so she was able to move freely on stage and lean into a great groove with her father on guitar. She began with a rousing tune on a cross-tuned fiddle using a lot of harmonious double stops. She then played mostly old-time American and Irish jigs, reels and contra-dance tunes along with a few slower tunes, and she even sang a nice song. Sarah is an incredible player. Only 19 years old (soon to be 20) she plays with the style and poise of a much older and seasoned player. And she makes it look so easy - all those notes flying off her fiddle with a lot of double-stopped harmonies, and not one missed or misplaced note that I could tell. It was quite fantastic.

Although both players had different styles and played different genres of music, they complemented each other very well, which made for a very enjoyable program. Both Ranger and Sarah have new CDs. They're absolutely a must to buy.

Ranger and the Re-Arrangers
Debut CD - Gypsy Moon, released in summer of 2006, includes 7 originals and 7 jazz standards.
To order, email

Sarah Comer
Debut CD -Young Hands Old Fiddle Tunes, released at the concert.
To order, email

Stewart Hendrickson
Performing Arts Chair
HallerLake Arts Council