Artist Category: Celtic | Page 3

Neil Pearlman & Kevin Henderson

Uniting two stand out voices in Scottish music today, the fiddle and piano duo of Kevin Henderson and Neil Pearlman is a transatlantic collaboration that has set stages alight from Scotland to California. Each known for his high-energy, joyful and fresh approach to the tradition, their combined sound is fiery yet precise; moving from heart-wrenching airs to sparkling reels in the blink on an eye. The duo’s debut album Burden Lake features original tunes from both Henderson and Pearlman in conversation with traditional Shetland melodies. Launched in January of 2020 at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, the album has been lauded as “cold pressed perfection” by folkworld.eu, received 5 stars in The Scotsman, and Fatea Magazine raves that “the sheer virtuosity of the musicianship is breathtaking.”

Kevin Henderson is a fiddler who draws on the rich fiddle music tradition of his native Shetland and his experience with leading bands including Boys of the Lough, Fiddlers Bid, Session A9 and Nordic Fiddlers Bloc to create an expressive and adventurously individual musical style.

“Kevin Henderson’s fiddle playing is all effortless grace and skill”, Kit Bailey – BBC2 Folk & Acoustic

Neil Pearlman is recognized throughout the Celtic music world and beyond for his distinctive approach to the piano. He has worked with many of the world’s top folk music artists and is in demand internationally as a collaborator, session musician and educator. Neil also hosts the podcast TradCafe which features his conversations and collaborations with influential artists from a wide variety of music traditions.

“A tremendous pianist”, Bruce MacGregor — BBC Radio Scotland, Travelling Folk

Kevin Henderson

Brought up in the Shetland schooling system, whose concentration on fiddle music and encouragement to participate still inspire him, Kevin benefited in his teens from the teaching of the legendary Willie Hunter. Lessons with Hunter could comprise chatting over coffee and biscuits and even extend to being taught survival skills, as well as learning both the essentials and the finer points of playing Shetland reels, and every Saturday Kevin came away motivated to emulate his mentor.

With school friends Chris Stout, Andrew Gifford and Maurice Henderson, Kevin formed Fiddlers Bid, a band that – almost thirty years, innumerable gigs and four enthusiastically received albums on – continues to represent the finest of Shetland fiddling allied with harmonic invention, creative subtlety and enthusiastic vigour.

It was Kevin’s clear understanding of and feeling for the Shetland tradition that led to him being invited, in 2001, to join the long-established Irish-Scottish band Boys of the Lough, alongside the Irish national treasure Cathal McConnell, an experience that has enriched his musical appreciation and love for a strong melody.

Since moving to Norway, while maintaining links with the Boys, the Bid and Session A9, one of Scotland’s finest fiddle ensembles, Kevin has put his heart and soul into Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, a meeting of three very distinctive musical styles where simplicity and directness are key. Their blend of Norwegian, Swedish and Shetland accents and their command of varying tones and voicings have led to ecstatic receptions on both sides of the North Sea and across the Atlantic.

While he still values the demanding Scott Skinner and Canadian tunes he studied in his early years, Kevin has come to favour sparer melodic forms and is increasingly interested in the spontaneity of jazz and improvised music. His duos with Swedish guitarist and mandola player Mattias Perez, who featured on Kevin’s first solo album, Fin Da Laand Ageen, in 2011, and American pianist Neil Pearlman feature more spontaneous interpretations of original compositions and traditional tunes.

When not touring, performing and recording Kevin enjoys passing on his fiddle skills through fiddle camps, including those organised by Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, Danish fiddler Harald Haugaard and California-based Scottish fiddle master Alasdair Fraser, and one-to-one sessions.

Wherever he travels, Kevin remains very much a Shetlander, staying connected to the islands through playing an instrument made by Shetland’s leading luthier, Ewen Thomson.

John Whelan

Seven-time All-Ireland accordion champion John was raised on the fiddle and pipe music of Ireland, as his father Denis was from Ireland’s county Wexford. At age 14, already a seasoned winner, John recorded his first album in honor of his father, Pride of Wexford, still in print and selling well!

John was soon performing with Eileen Ivers of Riverdance fame, in one of the most celebrated duos of the decade, and later with the Kips Bay Ceili band. John was also on two of Narada label’s bestselling releases, Celtic Odyssey and Celtic Legacy. His album Celtic Crossroads featured such stars as Kathy Mattea, Tim O’ Brien, and Jerry Douglas, along with Celtic singer Mary Mclaughlin, multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan, and fiddler Johnny Cunningham, and spent more than two months on Billboard’s World Music Top 10. Since then, John has been twice awarded Musician of the Year by the Irish Music Association, performed solo and with his band, and guested on and produced other artist’s albums.

John’s music has been featured in tv shows such as Sex and the City, and films such as Ang Lee’s “Ride With the Devil,” in which he even appeared onscreen. He appeared solo on the critically acclaimed Once Upon an Accordion North American tour, and was named Traditionalist of the Year, by Irish Echo Magazine.

John’s many albums such as his Flirting With The Edge, with such diverse artists as Samite on kalimba and vocals, Latin guitarist Oscar Lopez, Celtic vocalist Connie Dover, and a dramatic vocal by longtime fan and actress/singer Bernadette Peters, push the boundaries of Irish music by infusing the traditional music with other genres. But John’s Celtic Roots still assures fans that his Celtic allegiances remain firm while bringing them new music as well.

John is now a staple at many major US Irish festivals and teaching camps, and performs solo as well as with friends such as Brian Conway, Haley Richardson (also now of Riverdance), Dylan Foley, Flynn Cohen, and with roots band Low Lily, plus his John Whelan band. John is celebrating 50 years of playing, so catch him while you can!

Hildaland

Orkney (Scotland) born fiddler Louise Bichan and Indiana (USA) mandolinist Ethan Setiawan present a collaboration and meeting of their musical worlds in Hildaland. A path steeped in the fiddle traditions of their respective sides of the Atlantic, the journey taken wends through Scottish, oldtime, and Swedish inspired music intertwined with contemporary compositions. Bichan’s fiddle is a melodic foil to Setiawan’s counterpoint and harmonic depth, and the two weave in and out seamlessly.

Setiawan has won such accolades as the 2014 National Mandolin Championship, the 2017 RockyGrass Mandolin Championship and has shared the stage with the likes of Julian Lage, Darrell Scott, Bryan Sutton, Mike Marshall, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, Casey Driessen, the Steel Wheels, Don Stiernberg, Matt Flinner, and Jacob Jolliff.

Bichan has won awards for her compositions and playing, and has travelled far and wide to perform in various line ups since a young age. She has appeared at the likes of the BBC TV’s Hogmanay Live show, Edinburgh Castle, Reading Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Lorient Interceltique Festival, Milwaukee Irish Festival and Sligo Live festival. In 2016 she released her first solo album, Out of My Own Light, to great acclaim.

Gerry O’Connor

One of the great fiddle players of his generation

Gerry O’Connor grew up in the town of Dundalk, County Louth in a family of musicians, dancers and singers. His mother Rose (née O’Brien) taught Gerry and his siblings the fiddle at home and she continued to teach from there for the next 40 years. Students travelling from Armagh and Dublin as well as closer to home to learn from the doyenne of fiddle teachers. His father Peter was a singer whose seven uncles all played music.

From an early age Gerry was involved Irish music and dance, winning numerous All Ireland titles between 1967 and 1973 in a range of formations including duet, trio and four Céili Band titles.

Playing with Michael Coleman’s contemporary John Joe Gardiner in the 1970’s formed Gerry’s style of music, focussing on the fluid and ornamented lyrical fiddle playing of the great Sligo masters. His own background in step dancing translates into vibrant pulsating dance music for which he is noted; today he is regarded as one of the great fiddle players of his generation.

He has played and recorded with such highly-regarded groups as Lá Lúgh (Eithne Ní Uallacháin, Sony Music) and Skylark (Len Graham, Gary O’Briain & Mairtin O’Connor), recording four CDs on the Claddagh label. Gerry has toured and recorded with members of all the legendary groups including Planxty, Bothy Band, De Dannan, Boys of the Lough and Chieftains. Lá Lugh’s album “Brighid’s Kiss” was voted Album of the Year 1996 by readers of the Irish Music Magazine. His solo album “Journeyman” was counted in the top five Albums of the year 2004 by the Irish Times. This critically acclaimed solo album, co-produced with his son Dónal (Ulaid, At First Light), was heralded as a significant milestone in recording the music of the “Oriel” region of South Ulster.

His 2006 live album “In Concert” recorded with Gilles le Bigot (Barzaz, Skolvan) was a celebration of the cultural links between Ireland and Brittany. This duo has toured continually for the last 20 years. During 2006-7 Gerry recorded and toured with The Irish Baroque Orchestra under the direction of Elizabeth Wallfish, recording Ardee Dances, a piece commissioned for Irish Fiddle and Baroque Orchestra and written by Rachel Holstead. Gerry continued to perform with Wallfisch in the Wandering Fiddlers project performing at the Wigmore Hall and the Brighton Early Music Festival.

With Nuala Kennedy, Martin Quinn and Gilles le Bigot, Gerry released the album Oirialla in Nov. 2012 at the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, Canada. This band is currently touring and in demand for festivals.

Recent re-releases of his music can be heard with Desi Wilkinson and Eithne Ní Uallacháin of the album Cosa Gan Bhróga (Gael Linn) and Senex Puer on IML. With the vocal accapella trio White Raven led by Kathleen Dineen, Gerry has recorded and performed throughout Europe at International Choral Festivals including RheinVocal and Merano. He is currently touring and has recorded 6 albums with much celebrated Irish-Canadian-based group The Irish Rovers.

In 2018 Gerry was awarded “Ceannródaí”, the prestigious Bardic Award by Comhaltas for his valued contribution to the Traditional Arts. In the same year he launched his second solo album “Last Nights Joy” and published ” The Rose in the Gap” Dance Music for Oriel from the Donnellan Collection.

A four-time winner of The Fiddler of Oriel competition, Gerry has recently adjudicated the same competition and also the Gael Linn sponsored Siansa and RAAP /RTE sponsored Breakthrough competitions. He was co-founder and first Artistic Director of Ceol Chairlinn, an annual teaching festival in Carlingford, Co Louth. He is also the Traditional Arts coordinator at the newly established Creative-Connexions Irish/ Catalan Arts festival in Sitges. He teaches fiddle at the Willie Clancy Summer school and at master-classes throughout Europe. When at home Gerry works as a violin maker/restorer.

Countercurrent

Countercurrent is a powerhouse acoustic folk duo based in Olympia, Washington, featuring driving guitar, lyrical fiddle, harmony vocals, and foot percussion.

Bringing the deep drive of dance music to every performance, their arrangements blend both traditional and modern influences with astounding musicianship and fluency. They have achieved nationwide acclaim for their high-energy style, which draws on deep traditional roots from Ireland and North America while incorporating new influences to create a sound that is at once unique and timeless. A repertoire of songs that includes potent contemporary anthems, trad ballads, old-time hollers, and biting political content leaves no room for boredom. Alex’s driving guitar and gifted songwriting, Brian’s lyrical fiddle and rock-solid foot percussion, and the duo’s lively interplay, tight vocal harmonies, and unstoppable groove make a Countercurrent performance an event unlike any other. Wherever they go, the question remains the same: “How does that much sound come from just two people?”

Performing together since 2009, they have played at such venues as Club Passim (Cambridge,MA) The Freight and Salvage (Berkeley,CA), The Flurry Festival (Saratoga Springs, NY), and have frequently been the closing band for The Northwest Folklife Festival (Seattle, WA). Countercurrent is one of the most in-demand bands for contra dance weekends and camps across the country. Being highly collaborative musicians, Alex and Brian are part of several other bands (together or separately) including One Dollar Whiskey, Gallimaufry, The Iona Fyfe Trio, The Engine Room, Dear Crow, and others. Alex Sturbaum is a songwriting sensation, gaining notoriety across the continent for their work bringing visibility and queer representation in newly composed trad folk songs. Brian Lindsay is also one of the region’s top sound engineers for acoustic performances and recordings, and uses his expertise to ensure that every Countercurrent performance is a stellar auditory experience.

House of Hamill

House of Hamill owes its existence – almost entirely – to a series of cancelled flights.

Rose Baldino and Brian Buchanan first found themselves onstage together at the 2014 Folk Alliance International conference in Kansas City.

Rose’s band Burning Bridget Cleary was scheduled to perform, but inclement weather prevented two of her bandmates from flying. Desperate to salvage the showcase, Rose approached Brian, who she knew fronted Canadian celtic rock band Enter the Haggis. She thrust a guitar into Brian’s hands, pulled him onstage, and the two just clicked.

Four years and hundreds of shows later, the duo was booked to play a closing slot at a Colorado festival, so they hired a bass player and drummer to fill out their sound. By the oddest of coincidences, their hired bandmates’ flights were canceled the day of the show. A frantic Facebook post introduced Brian and Rose to local musician Caroline Browning, who joined them on bass for the weekend. Once again, the chemistry was undeniable, and House of Hamill became a trio.

Today, Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill is a fixture on festival stages across the US, and have shared their music and stories on the country’s premier folk stages. Their version of “Pound a Week Rise” rose to #1 on the US Folk DJ charts, and the video for their all-violin cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” amassed over 16 million views on Facebook, where it was shared over 400,000 times. Their latest release, “Folk Hero,” captures perfectly the frenetic energy and eclecticism of their always engaging live show. A lively collection of original instrumentals, reimagined folk ballads, and new songs that showcase the trio’s versatility, “Folk Hero” is the third House of Hamill album to be funded entirely by their fans.

Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note.

David Howley

Born in Ireland, David Howley has been at the forefront of Irish guitar, voice and mandolin for over a decade. An award- winning vocalist, and holder of multiple Billboard #1’s, he has performed with The Chieftains, Eileen Ivers, Carlos Nunez, Billy Strings, Bela Fleck, Altan, Ajeet and Mumford & Sons, amongst others. In 2011, David founded We Banjo 3 and since has gone on to play Irish folk music around the world. David is currently releasing his first solo record “for Venus”. This music navigates the shadow with openness and vulnerability, all while drawing the listener to move.

Maura Shawn Scanlin

Boston-based fiddle player and songwriter Maura Shawn Scanlin is gaining notoriety among the Celtic and Acoustic music scenes across the country. Her playing, hailed for its inventiveness, fluidity, and tone, brings together influences from Ireland, Scotland, and the American South, where she grew up. Touring actively with her duo Rakish and string quartet Rasa String Quartet, Maura has also shared the stage with many cornerstone musicians in the folk music world including Seamus Egan, Maeve Gilchrist, Hanneke Cassel, and Judy Collins. Maura is a 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, a Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, and is touring for the first time under her own name, following the release of her debut full-length solo album, released in May 2023. Her band features Conor Hearn on guitar (Rakish), Adam Hendey on bouzouki (The Fire), and Julian Pinelli on fiddle (Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, The Foreign Landers).

Maura plays an 1872 violin by Asa White, and a Francois Lotte bow.

Karan Casey

Irish singer-songwriter Karan Casey has been blazing a trail for over 30 years. A lover of ballads, love songs and searing versions of social justice songs, fond of a good yarn, she has toured the world making deep connections with her audience connecting via Ireland’s past but crucially repositioning women and songs in a universal and a modern setting. Karan has been striking out lately to explore new areas of performance on the piano and with spoken word and theatre. She has released eleven albums as well as contributing to numerous other artists’ projects – appearing on more than 80 albums so far – and has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Japan, performing with her own band as well as collaborating with such diverse musicians as Maura O’Connell, James Taylor, Bela Fleck, Boston Pops Orchestra, Kate Ellis, Niall Vallely, Pauline Scanlon, The Chieftains, The Dubliners, Peggy Seeger, Karen Matheson, Mick Flannery, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Tim O’Brien and Solas. In 2018 Karan helped found FairPlé which is an organization aimed at achieving fairness and gender balance for female performers in Irish traditional and folk musics. Karan tours with her band Niamh Dunne, Sean Óg Graham and Niall Vallely. Hieroglyphs That Tell the Tale produced by Donald Shaw, was released on the Vertical Records Label and her song “Down in the Glen” was nominated for Best Original Folk Song at the RTE Folk Awards in 2019. She achieved a PhD in music at the University of Limerick in 2019. Karan first theatre show I Walked into My Head directed by Sophie Motley was premiered at the Kilkenny Arts Festival 2021. 2022 saw Karan collaborate with composer Harry Escott on a version of the Irish ballad “Grace” for the film “Ali & Ava”. Karan’s new album “Nine Apples of Gold” was released to great critical acclaim in February 2023. It has received extensive radio play on both sides of the Atlantic reaching No 1 on the US Folk radio charts for the month of March. Karan’s new stage show about women in the Irish revolutionary period The Women We Will Rise was premiered at the Everyman Theatre in Cork in September 2023.