Richard Wood Plays for trade delegation
Island fiddler will join Team Canada trade delegation in Japan next month.

BY DOUG GALLANT
THE GUARDIAN

Award-winning P.E.I. fiddler Richard Wood has been invited to join Prime Minister Jean Chretien and the Team Canada trade delegation when they travel to Japan in September.

Wood will be one of a handful of Canadian artists to perform for the prime ministers of both countries at a special event planned for Tokyo Sept. 16 to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan.

He will also perform at the Canadian Embassy Sept. 18.

A spokesman for Jensen Productions, Wood's Charlottetown-based booking agency, says the possibility exists of a third engagement as well.

While in Japan, Wood will also showcase for approximately 100 promoters and talent buyers.

He will be accompanied on the trade mission by an agent from Jensen Productions who will arrange for future tours of Japan and possibly other Asian markets.

Wood has experienced a very busy summer season performing at folk festivals and other major outdoor events from Nova Scotia to Yellowknife.

Highlights of the summer included an opening spot for Great Big Sea at the Festival d'Ete in Quebec City and headline spots at both the, Stan Rogers and New Glasgow Folk Festivals.

Wednesday night he performed at the CNE with the Ennis Sisters and the Barra MacNeils.

Following his return from Japan, Wood will mount a tour of Ontario before embarking on his 9th tour of the U.K.

Fiddler Richard Wood will travel to Japan next month with a Canadian trade delegation headed by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. The award-winning P.E.I. musician will perform for the prime ministers of both countries at a special event slated for Tokyo. He will also perform for an audience of more than 100 Asian promoters and talent buyers.