Minstrels at the Market: Laurie Dauphinee

Laurie Dauphinee is a virtuoso on the accordion! His melodious music can be heard each Saturday at the Marché Farmers Market entertaining market-goers as they browse through the offerings of market vendors.

Laurie learnt to play the accordion as a child, and it is a talent that has continued to mature and develop over the past fifty years. The vintage accordion Laurie plays is a classic instrument that is exactly as old as he is. Given to him in his youth by a friendly and appreciative neighbour who heard him play, this instrument has a value that is matched only by Laurie’s vast talent, and ironically, as Laurie came to discover through contact with the company that originally manufactured the instrument, it was made just a month or two before Laurie’s own birth! This circumstance may be considered a mere coincidence by some, but to others, it is destiny!

Laurie belongs to a talented partnership with his wife, Eileen Dauphinee, a veteran of the market scene. Not only is Eileen a skilled visual artist, but she has authored and illustrated a wonderful series of books filled with colour, fun, and wit. While Eileen formulates ideas, illustrations, and plots for her books, it is Laurie who publishes and binds them. Look for them both at the market on Saturdays and request your favourite tune from a musician who is a master of his craft. Not only will you be delighted at the fluidity of the music, you’ll feel like dancing! Next time you’re at the market and you hear music, chances are it’s Laurie Dauphinee and his accordion!