The Makem and Spain Brothers
Every generation has a few acts that define where a musical genre is going, performers so confident in their chosen field that they are able to completely embrace the genre and yet introduce something new to it. In Irish folk music today, that act is the Makem and Spain Brothers.
Not in the past 30 years has a group taken the international stage with such vocal power and stage presence, capturing the essence of their genre, while standing out as something truly unique. A host of various instruments and five male vocals, using precise three-part harmonies blend perfectly for what many have described as a wall of sound. The Makem and Spain Brothers are at their best onstage where their talent and enthusiasm draw in fans who have never experienced the joy of folk music.
The band of brothers who were once considered the new kids on the block, have honed their craft over 15 years of international performances and are now one of the truly stalwart, road-tested Irish vocal groups available. They have played before millions of people from Canada to Texas, from California to the Caribbean and over to Ireland, highlighting national PBS specials and popular Irish talk shows along the way.
The Makem Brothers, Shane, Conor and Rory, were born in Drogheda, County Louth, about an hour north of Dublin. They continue the lineage of one of Irish music’s dynasties, begun by their grandmother Sarah Makem, who was sought after by song collectors for her store of traditional Irish songs. Their father is the late Tommy Makem, the modern day Bard of Armagh. Now considered an icon, he helped to bring Irish music out of the corner and into the international spotlight, where it has remained ever since.
The Spain Brothers, too, learned Irish songs at their father’s knee. Mickey’s rich, baritone voice and Liam’s mastery of stringed instruments quickly found a home when the Makems met the Spains and the brothers realized the power of their combined talents.
But folk songs are engrained in both families and their songwriting contains the timeless qualities of folk classics, songs of the worker, songs of the sea and Irish culture. They tell the tale of Ireland and its people - a culture that has undergone terrible strife, but remains strong.
Where is Irish music going? There are instrumental bands bringing it down uncharted roads, moving it forward and keeping it living. But there is only one band that is driving Irish folk songs into the 21st century internationally. That band is the Makem and Spain Brothers.
For more information, visit www.makem.com/brothers/.
Poor Angus
Poor Angus is an award-winning quintet, formed by best friends Brian LeBlanc and Andrew Bryan. Irish session enthusiasts, they met at a local pub on a Tuesday night and played together in a previous band for a couple of years. Upon meeting piper Ross Griffiths at the same session, and noted local folk singer Scott Cameron Smith, they decided that they had to get together and bring this music to a wider audience. With an award winning album under their belts and two years of playing festivals and events around North America, the lads are preparing to record their second album for release in Summer 2008.
Scott comes from an extensive East Coast and folk music background, and his mellow narrative style ranges ably between the softest ballads, to the raucous Jacobite fighting songs which the band performs.
Andrew's fiddling is masterly, having been a student of classical violin from an early age, and he never fails to impress, having performed in the Thunder Bay Philharmonic among other projects which he has tackled. He possesses an innate ability to learn any instrument he picks up, and can play piano at the concert level as well.
Brian LeBlanc has been a Celtic music enthusiast for many years, and switches between bodhran, guitar, mandolin and octave mandolin between songs. He also performs lead for several of the more raucous songs, suited to his infectious energetic stage presence.
Ross Griffiths can make the bagpipes do things which astound audiences, and at every show, people comment that they never knew the pipes could sound that way. Often these comments come from seasoned pipers, who recognize that they are in the presence of a world class piper. Ross has competed internationally for 15 years, and his compositions are performed by the world's champion pipe bands. Vocally, these four meld beautifully and their signature acapella performances often leave audiences speechless and agog. He has shared the stage with many world class musicians, notably Rod Stewart and Paul McCartney.
DJ Moons is an outstanding musician, whose bass and keyboard playing adds an extra dimension to the Poor Angus sound and helps us fill the stage with a solid low end or raucous piano, whichever is called for.
This then, is the essence of the band. The synthesis of these five talented individuals creates a show which preserves the essence of traditional Scottish, Irish and East Coast music, but interprets it in a more modern style without giving in too much to the current wave of "celtic-rock". A Poor Angus show is lively, fun, appeals to all ages, and is equally suited to pub or concert hall. Having performed with the likes of The Proclaimers, Jeremy Fisher, Irish Mythen, Switchback, Blue Rodeo and Matt Mayes, Beolach, Samantha Robichaud and Denmark's ZAR, Poor Angus is an enthusiastic, emerging talent which will grace any venue with style.
For more information, visit www.poorangus.com/.
Allison Barber
Allison Barber brings a purity of voice and an earthy soulfulness to traditional Irish music. With a “sean-nós style beyond her years” (Irish America Magazine) and a talent that touches hearts and souls, this fresh singer/songwriter captures her audiences’ attention from the first note.
Allison lives in New York, in high demand as a singer in the traditional scene. Allison has had the privilege of performing and recording with a variety of renowned musicians and groups, most recently lending her voice to Jameson's Revenge as well as Tony DeMarco and The Atlantic Wave.
Born in Boston, Allison grew up amid the sounds of Irish music from a young age. She began performing at age 13, starting her vocal and piano training in classical music at the Boston Conservatory. After completing her undergraduate degree in acting and music at Ithaca College in New York, Allison moved to Edinburgh where she traveled extensively throughout Scotland and Ireland to reconnect with the traditional, folk and sean-nós styles of singing. She honed her skill and style by performing everywhere from street corners to various local pubs. Allison returned to New York, where she began studying Irish Gaelic at the NYU Glucksman Ireland House. She has been performing in the Irish traditional circuit there ever since.
Allison recently released her debut album, Traveling Home, with Yonas Media. This traditional album combines Allison’s haunting vocals with the energetic sounds of dynamic traditional musicians Tony DeMarco, Darren Maloney, Martin McCormack, and Isaac Alderson to name a few. The CD also features original songs by Allison. Pulling from her own experiences while traveling, Allison’s innovative and down-to-earth writing echoes with a sense of truthfulness her audiences can relate to. Having been highly influenced by traditional artists Karan Casey, Mary Black, Karen Matheson and Cathie Ryan, Allison creates a unique style of her own where traditional Irish meets American folk.
For more information, visit Allison Barber's MySpace page.
Charlie Zahm
Charlie Zahm is a Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival favorite. Since 1992, Charlie has recorded twenty CDs of Celtic Maritime and American Music. As comfortable on stage as before an outdoor crowd, Charlie is a consummate Celtic entertainer with hundreds of songs in his repertoire.
His newly released CD is a live recording with his band entitled Charlie Zahm - An Evening of Classical Melodies that was produced with Franklin Springs Family Media of Nashville.
One of the few entertainers to sing live with Scotland's famed "Black Watch," Charlie is one of the most sought after Celtic entertainers on the East Coast. This summer don't miss it when he once again takes us from swells on the high seas and to the gentle breezes of warm summer nights with his ballads, melodies and wonderful baritone voice.
For more information, visit www.charliezahm.com.
Fiddlers 3
Mass-Appeal, Intensity, and Virtuosic skill; these are the trademarks of the Celtic-folk band, Fiddlers 3. Known for transforming every venue they play into an animated party, Fiddlers 3 is a wildly-energetic spectacle on an unparalleled scale!
It was late 1996 when three siblings Stefan, Andrian and Elaina stepped onto a church stage with their violins after only a few short months of lessons. Their ages at the time were 12, 10 and 9. Joining them was Mom Mary Ann on accordion and Dad Lorne with a set of spoons and washboard to complete the group. Today, the family continues to bring to the stage their own eclectic blend of Celtic-Folk music. The group's success inspired all three of these championship fiddlers to go on to study music at McMaster University. After witnessing their performance, the intensity, passion and drive of their music will leave you speechless and with all the foot tapping you may need a new pair of shoes.
Fiddlers 3 have received "International Acoustic Music Award 2008", "2008 TOP 10 CD of the YEAR" Award and have been named "Ontario's Best Performer/ Entertainer (Variety) 2007" and "Entertainer of the Year 2006" by Festival & Events Ontario. They have performed with acts including Ashley MacIsaac, The Chieftains, Teenage Head, Natalie MacMaster, The Barra MacNeils, Colin James, Alannah Miles, Tom Wilson, Slainte Mhath, The Irish Descendants, J.P Cormier, and Great Big Sea.
In late 2007 after intense demand, Fiddlers 3 released their highly anticipated 3rd CD 'Volume 3: The Rhythm Chapter' and it gained immediate approval from fans and critics alike. 'ENCORE!' released in 2003, won the Kweevak CD of the YEAR (Critic's Choice) Award 2004 and Viewer's Choice Award 2004. Fiddlers 3 are the only Canadian band to win both awards simultaneously in the same calendar year. This award followed the success of their debut self-titled CD, which won the Viewer's Choice Award in 2003. In the download charts of Napster, eMusic, Apple iTunes, and Sony Connect, Fiddlers 3 are consistently listed as the #1 download.
No matter what the venue - corporate function, festival stage, theatre performance - the energetic rhythms and enthusiastic melodies of Fiddlers 3 have their audiences - young and old - always wanting more.
"WE DARE YOU TO KEEP YOUR FEET STILL!" ®
For more information, visit www.fiddlers3.com.
Siusan O'Rourke & Zig Zeitler as STONECROSS
Known for the past 6 years as one of the Best Irish Duos that tour throughout the US and Ireland, Siusan O'Rourke and Zig Zeitler have been booking equally as many dates recently showcasing their own Originals and Americana Roots Music.
Well founded on strong vocals and woven together with a broad mix of instrumentation, they have been bringing their music to fans of American traditional and Irish Music at festivals, special performances and workshops throughout the Midwest, East Coast, and across the ocean. Siusan O'Rourke on guitar, is the lead vocalist, a true alto and a second generation Irish American from Brooklyn, New York who was mentored by her family.
As of Late she has been writing and performing many of her own tunes which are written with the flavor of some of the best Americana Roots material this side of the turn of the Century.. wonderfully crafted and Catchy as a Cold!
The instrumental landscape is accomplished by the remarkably versatile musician and songwriter, Ziggie Zeitler. Zig's background is Blues and World Music, and he toured extensively and had a successful run with his Zydeco Cajun Band for many years. He has 16 CDs of his own and has written and arranged songs for several other artists. He has a wonderful open style to his leads on Bouzouki while peppering it with the rhythms of other World Music. Zeitler brings crisp leads on the mandolin, banjo, guitar and harmonica thrown in for the rebels of the crowd. They have performed at some of the Largest Venues throughout the Midwest including Chicago, New York, Puerto Rico and Ireland. However, they are equally at home in small intimate settings, always connecting with their audiences.
Siusan and Zig are outstanding performers and instructors and they are available for workshops and clinics.
For more information, visit www.MySpace.com/STONECROSSWorldMusic.
* Note: if the sound file doesn't play automatically when clicked, you may download the sound clips here. Just right click and save to your PC and then play.
Makem & Spain Brothers: Highland Paddy
Poor Angus: Ceilidh House Sample
Allison Barber: Traveling Home
Charlie Zahm: Bonnie Ship the Diamond
Fiddlers 3: Jerusalem Ridge
Dancers & Roving Entertainers
O'Shea-Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance
The O'Shea-Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance is one of the longest established Irish dancing schools in the country. Founded by Rita O'Shea-Chaplin in Galway Ireland 50 years ago, the school has been located in the greater Boston area since the early 1960's. Rita and her instructors teach children and adults of all ages. Their students have won many local, regional and national championships and their ceili and choreography teams have captured many North American titles. The O'Shea-Chaplin dancers have performed all over the U.S.A., and have conducted tours in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Russia. They have performed with:
- Michael Flatley, of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance fame
- Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops
- Tenor John McDermott and Ronan Tynon
- Pop/Rock acts such as The Push Stars, Solas, and Black 47.
- They have captivated the audiences at the Fleet Center at the St. Patrick's Day Boston Celtics game.
- The dancers have been featured on local television during their performances at First Night Boston, as well as the Discovery Channel and Country Music TV.
Their combination of traditional and contemporary dances and costumes is truly exciting to watch.
For more information, visit www.bostonirishdance.com.
Ed the Wizard
With his long-flowing beard and fairytale garb, Ed the Wizard casts a spell as a wandering medieval wizard, captivating audiences with his fascinating illusions and a dash of comedy. Yet Ed the Wizard is also an educator, extolling the power of reading to entice children from grades 1-5 to learn.
"Everything that I do onstage illusion-wise is within the capability of the students," says Ed, and he backs this up by constantly visiting schools and libraries with his "Reading Is Magic" program, which he started nearly nine years ago. At fairs and festivals, he walks the grounds like a wandering wizard of yore, entertaining children and adults alike.
For more information, visit www.edthewizard.com.
