They are witty, smart, educational, musically
diverse, and fun.
KIRK ELLIOTT AND MAGOO have been bringing dynamic
musical entertainment to audiences young and old alike since 1981. Their unique
arrangements of traditional and familiar material give a new perspective to
a number of fine old tunes, and their self- penned song list sparkles.
Two Time Grammy nominated Trout Fishing in America recorded We Are The Dinosaurs shortly after meeting Kirk and Magoo and have been popularising it in the US for a number of years.
In 2003 they received the Canadian Independent Music Awards ‘Children’s Album of the Year’ for Mars Rocks! the epic, outer space extravaganza that has kids and scientists rocking on.
They have released four critically acclaimed recordings.
It began in 1987 with Sing A Song Of Mother Goose, a Scholastic Publications book illustrated by Barbara Reid. Kirk and Magoo set it to music and it continues to be distributed worldwide. In the early 1990's they released two family classics, We Are The
Dinosaurs, and I Don’t Want To Keep My Room Clean, both of which have been given the ‘This Music Can Keep Us All Sane on the Car Ride To Grandmas’ Award, from children and parents alike.
Engineered and produced by Kirk, all of the recordings
are filled with musical adventures that are guaranteed to keep children and
their parents coming back for more. And plenty more there is indeed ... in
their live show. A multi-instrumental, action-packed hour of fun, an exceptional
show that, as one pundit put it, ‘Erases the line between children’s
and adult music!’.
KIRK, a classically trained musician, was the founding
member of the Juno Award-winning group Short Turn. He has written music for
the National Ballet, National Film Board, TV Ontario, CBC, and CHCH TV. He
currently tours with Sharon and Bram’s Band, playing fiddle, mandolin,
accordion, banjo, electric guitar, percussion and trombone.
He has released seven CD’s. The fiddle album, No
Fixed Address, is often heard on CBC and BBC. Celtic
Moon, Moonlight on
Water, The Heavenly
Banquet, the seasonal Wintersong, Moving Clouds,
and his newest work Up From The Ground
each showcase an astounding talent as both a composer and instrumentalist.
MAGOO comes from the singer-songwriter school of musicality, and has played every venue imaginable over the past 30 years.
Together KIRK AND MAGOO have produced the music and narration for Scholastic Canada’s Sing A Song Of Mother Goose, illustrated by the award-winning artist Barbara Reid. It has sold over 50,000 copies world wide. An educational series, "Whole Language Discovery Boxes," is distributed by HarperCollins. Kirk and Magoo, along with soprano Catherine Lewis and the Kingston Symphony have also performed Kirk’s ‘Princess Soupy at the Opera’, a musical and theatrical production that introduces young audiences to the opera.
As well, they have produced a concert video for television called ‘We Are The Dinosaurs’.
“One of the best kids’
acts playing in Canada today, Kirk and Magoo are first rate musicians”
Mariposa Folk Festival
“Kirk and Magoo eat up the competition!”
The Globe and Mail