Stanley and Grimm

 The duo takes its name from the makers of Nikki’s fiddle and bow, fiddlemaker and inventor of the Stanley steam engine, F.O. Stanley, and Grimm, respectively. 

Celtic duo Stanley & Grimm entertain with a celebration of traditional music through old and new interpretations of jigs, reels, and songs played with lively fiddle, guitar, and voice. Fiddler Nikki Engstrom and singer/guitarist Sean Brennan create a musical journey through a bounty of fiddle tunes and ballads of all origins, alongside modern tunes and songs they have composed. Their second CD, Another Round, was awarded the Celtic Radio Music Award for the 2008 Album of the Year, and also took top honors in the “Jigs & Reels” category. Celtic Radio Network describes their music as “emotionally stirring, exhilarating, perfectly splendid!” The infectious fun they have on stage and their intense playing have helped them to become fan favorites on the New England traditional music scene. 

Nikki has delighted audiences for over two decades with her spirited and sensitive playing.  Through a broad range of fiddle music from old and new sets of jigs and reels to slow airs, with Sean's warm vocals and rhythmic guitar, Stanley & Grimm capture the essence and energy of great traditional music.

Fiddler Nikki Engstrom and guitarist and singer Sean Brennan have been playing throughout New England as the duo Stanley & Grimm at concerts, house parties, pubs and festivals. Having met and played together at local sessions on Cape Cod, Nikki and Sean made their debut appearance as Stanley & Grimm at the 2005 Cape Cod Celtic Festival where they opened for the internationally known Cape Breton group Beolach.

Nikki Engstrom is an accomplished, award-winning fiddler and teaches many workshops at festivals throughout the year while maintaining more than 30 full-time private students on Cape Cod. She has performed, competed, and taught throughout New England and Canada. In addition to her inspired and intense fiddle playing, Nikki has composed many original tunes, including “Little Hawk” and “The Huntress.” 

Sean Brennan has been playing in sessions and entertaining in pubs for many years in Boston and on Cape Cod. In addition to the diverse ballads and songs Sean has collected in his extensive repertoire, he has also written many of his own songs, including fan favorites “Galway Senorita” and “Last Night’s Fun.”