Ashley MacIsaac

Ashley MacIsaac's peerless, hell-for-leather fiddle playing would have been enough to mark him out for great things on its own, but his talent extends much further than fingers of lightning and a merciless bowing arm. MacIsaac has upgraded the status of his chosen instrument by quantum leaps, adding elements of rock, dance, and punk.

Best fiddler in the world? Probably. Loose canon? Definitely. Whichever side of MacIsaac you prefer, it's worth checking out his technique on "Reels" from Fiddle Music 101, which showcases his respect for, and mastery of, traditional fiddle pieces. We've also included some of his guest spots with the likes of David Byrne and Edie Brickell.

Celtic fiddle prodigy Ashley MacIsaac often draws as much attention onstage as he does off. Prone to speaking his mind, and never shy of a shocking stunt, he once appeared high-kicking in a kilt on U.S. talkshow Late Night With Conan O'Brien . . . without underpants. Once the smoke has cleared, we're left with one of the world's most talented fiddlers, who happens to own a fabulously gruff voice and a lifelong desire to innovate. He's a one-man, Nova Scotian tempest.