Raised in darkest southwestern Ontario-Ian Bell has none-the-less performed across Canada and in the United States since the late 1970s.

On his own and with a number of different ensembles, he has appeared at numerous folk festivals (Winnipeg, Mariposa, Edmonton, Ottawa, Yellowknife, Owen Sound, Lunenberg , Montmagny, and others) and in concerts and dances in venues ranging from Roy Thompson Hall to Randy Haskell’s barn.

Ian performs material from a large repertoire that includes both Canadian traditional music and his own songs and instrumental compositions.  Ian’s original songs have been performed and recorded by: Anne Lederman, Ian Robb, Bobby Watt, Allison Lupton, Lee Murdock and others.

Following the release of three CDs of well-received original songs, Ian has returned to his roots with a new CD of traditional songs and tunes – My Pious Friends and Drunken Companions. Ian was joined on this recording by many musical friends including Geoff Somers, Anne Lederman, Oliver Schroer, Denis Rondeau, Shane Cook, The Bilge Rats and James Gordon.

Ian is also the Curator of the Port Dover Harbour Museum www.portdovermuseum.ca