Malcolm MacNeil is a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist from Cape Breton Island. Currently based in Halifax, MacNeil is quickly developing a reputation as one of the region’s most versatile and reliable side musicians. He can regularly be seen performing with fiddlers, folk singer-songwriters, and jazz ensembles of various configurations. He has shared the stage with a growing list of well-known artists, including Heather Rankin and The Barra MacNeils. His debut studio album, The Bridge, was released during Celtic Colours last year with the support of the Festival Volunteer Drive’ers Association and Lakewind Sound as the 2025 recipient of the Frank “Big Sampie” Sampson Award. He is excited to return to Celtic Colours this year alongside fellow “Sampie” winner Maxim Cormier, English and Gaelic singer-songwriter Abigail MacDonald, Lisa MacArthur and Kolten MacDonell, and his family for a special tribute to the legacy of his grandmother Jean MacNeil.