We Banjo 3 Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin
‘A Study in Strings’, will explore the wealth of different musical textures that can be achieved on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, harp and guitar. We have invited some of the finest virtuosos in traditional music to explore the vast sonic possibilities of their instrument of choice.
Venue: The Glassworks, a former 18th Century church. The natural acoustics and unique surroundings of the venue have played host to several acclaimed gigs over the past year, and will be a perfect setting for the headline event of Féile Chaoimhín Uí Dhochartaigh 2015.
We Banjo 3
We Banjo 3 play with swing and soul, effortlessly combining the best of Irish and Bluegrass banjo music and song, mining the rich vein of the American old time tradition and thoroughly reinventing the banjo band sound. Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley are among the most celebrated and distinguished musicians in Ireland today. Featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and vocals, We Banjo 3 make a bold and extraordinary musical statement.
Collectively, We Banjo 3 have been at the forefront of Irish banjo and fiddle for 2 decades. Their competitive success is unrivalled, Martin holding 7 All Ireland titles, Enda with 4, while Fergal and David hold All Ireland titles on banjo, fiddle, bodhrán and guitar.
‘We Banjo 3’s attention to detail is a joy to unfurl with each successive listen… with David Howley’s charismatic vocals effortlessly hammocking the entire affair’ The Irish Times
RANT
Nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2014, RANT is a meeting of four of Scotland’s finest fiddle players, two from the Shetland Islands and two from the Highlands. Bethany Reid, Jenna Reid, Sarah-Jane Summers and Lauren MacColl join forces to create a rich and vibrant sound, evocative of the exciting scene in which they create music. Using just their fiddles, they weave a tapestry of melodies, textures, layers and sounds.
Known both for their work as soloists and with various bands, this is a celebration of the instrument they each have a passion for. Since the release of their debut album in 2013, the band have made major festival and concert appearances across the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, and have recorded strings for Julie Fowlis on her latest album ‘Gach Sgeul’.
Chris Stout & Catríona McKay
Chris & Catríona have their roots in Scottish traditional music. They are driven to use this grounding as a starting point to challenge their instruments and to develop and explore new music. The result is a dynamic and adventurous fiddle-harp sound that retains the identity of their traditions yet allows the music to have a freedom and connection to other musical styles they are drawn to. Catriona McKay is from Dundee on the east coast of Scotland and Chris Stout is from Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands. They have performed, explored and sculpted their musical identities together for almost 20 years. As trustworthy collaborators they have been part of many projects and are both members of the internationally acclaimed band Fiddlers’ Bid.
Arty McGlynn, Nollaig Casey, Bríd Harper & Maeve Donnelly
Arty McGlynn, from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, is one of the most sought-after guitarists in Ireland, playing and recording with Christy Moore, Paul Brady, Donal Lunny, and The Chieftains. He also played as a member of Planxty, De Dannan and Van Morrison’s band.
Nollaig’s prodigious technique in both classical and traditional music has earned her many enviable opportunities and experiences, including a solo performance of Shaun Davey’s special commission with the RTE Concert Orchestra during the 2003 Special Olympics opening ceremony.
Bríd Harper, from Donegal but now living in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, has been hailed as one of the leading exponents of traditional fiddle playing of our time. She was Senior All Ireland Champion, Fiddler of Dooney and Oireachtas winner in 1988.
Since winning three All-Ireland titles in the early ‘70s, Maeve Donnelly has toured and recorded on both sides of the Atlantic, showcasing a wide and varied fiddle repertoire which demonstrates her incredible command of the instrument.