Dubliner
Seán was surrounded by traditional Irish music from
an early age. Both parents were traditional fiddlers
and he began playing the fiddle at a young age.
He attended Dublin School of Music where he received
classical training, but soon became one of Ireland's
most talented young fiddlers, winning awards and
such honours as the All-Ireland Championships and
the Fiddler of Dooney competition, from which he
earned the title of master fiddler. A member of
Ceoltóirí Cualann in the 1960's, Seán also performed
with some of the trios and duets formed by Paddy
Moloney in the 60's.
It was 1968 before he joined The Chieftains
on invitation from Paddy. He has recorded a well received
solo album, 'Seán Keane' and a duet album with fellow
Chieftain Matt Molloy, 'Contentment is Wealth'. He has
also recorded with Mick Moloney and his brother, James
Keane on the album 'Reel Away the Real World' in 1980.
Sean lives in Dublin with his wife Marie, and they have
3 children and 4 Grandchildren.
Tommy Peoples
Tommy
Peoples was born in Co.Donegal in 1948 near a little
village called St.Johnston,in the north east of
the county.His first fiddle lessons came from his
first cousin Joe Cassidy who sadly died earlier
this year (R.I.P.). From the moment he learned his
first tune Tommy fell in love with the music and
from an early age developed a style that was unique
whilst holding on to the Donegal influences in his
music. As a teenager Tommy went to live and work
in Dublin, where he became involved in the traditional
music scene of the mid sixties.His contemporaries
of that period included Sean Keane and Matt Molloy
of the Chieftains, Liam O' Floinn of Planxty, Paul
Brady and Mary Bergin.
It was during this time that Tommy helped
form a ceili band called "The Green Linnet"
of which Mary Bergin was also a member. In that early
period Tommy played his first professional performances
with his friend Matt Molloy at the Old Sheiling Hotel.
Tommy and Matt played as an intro. to the main ballad
groups. Ballad groups were at the height of their popularity
in these years... Lots more ::here::
Vincent Griffin
Vincent
was born on a dairy farm at Ayle near Feakle East
Clare and took up music at an early age. In the
1950's he was a member of the Shamrock Céilí band
and played in dance halls all over Ireland. He emigrated
to London in 1960 and became a member of the Hibernian
Céilí band playing for weddings and other functions.
In 1970 he returned to the family farm at Ayle which
he still operates today. He has made a number of
tours of the U. S. A and Canada and is an all Ireland
and all England fiddle champion. Vincent plays occasionally
in Lena's bar Feakle and Pepper's bar Feakle. He
teaches fiddle privately and teaches classes at
the Feakle festival in early August each year. Vincent
has a number of Albums to his name: Saturday night
at the Céilí (1962), Irish Music from Clare (1977),
Raudledum (1984), Vincent Griffin (2000) AYLECD001.
Maurice Lennon
Maurice Lennon is a name recognised
by many people in the now vast world that is Irish
Music. Maurice began playing traditional music
at the age of 13. At the age of 17 he won the
Senior All Ireland Fiddle Championship, following
in the footsteps of such great players as Seamus
Connolly, Brendan McGlinchy and Liz Carroll. He
was later followed by players such as of Desi
Donnelly, Eileen Ivers, and Martin Hayes. The
1980’s were to prove an exciting time for Maurice,
he was a co-founder of 'Stockton's Wing', who
went on to attain almost super-group status, in
addition to which he had the great pleasure of
sharing the same stage with a host of world renowned
artists including, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli,
Sammy Davis Jr., Stephan Grapelli, Michael Jackson,
as well as performing and appearing in the superb
Irish film, "The Field", which featured
Richard Harris, Sean Bean, John Hurt, and Tom
Berringer amongst others. Since ending his long
time love affair with "The Wing" Maurice
has been concentrating on developing his first
real love of composing music and writing lyrics.
His recent compositions have featured on Daniel
O'Donnell's Greatest Hits album, and have been
performed by the 'Nova Scotia Symphony Orchestra,
and the University of Louisiana choir. His composition
'If Ever You Were Mine' has been recorded by ‘Cherish
the Ladies’ and ‘Natalie McMaster’.
Working with such diverse producers as
Bill Whelan, John Ryan, Shaun Davey, P.J.Curtis, Steve
Cooney and now with Donal Lunny, Maurice is setting his
sights on working as a producer in his own right. Lots
more ::here::
Ciarán Ó Maonaigh
Ciarán
O Maonaigh, from Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal
has released his first album of traditional fiddle
music. Ciaran has already established himself as
one of the most best and most talented young musicians
in Ireland. The release of Ceol a'Ghleanna looks
likely to firmly cement that reputation. "Briseann
an dúchas fríd shúile an chait" - Is a "seanfhocail"
or proverb that Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh uses on the
liner notes to Ceol a'Ghleanna, the new album from
TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2004,
Ciarán O Maonaigh. A literal translation in English
is hard to render but essentially the meaning intended
is that "Nature will out". A grandson
of Proinsias O Maonaigh, the highly regarded fiddle
player and teacher from Gaoth Dobhair in the north
west Donegal Gaeltacht, Ciarán was fortunate enough
to grow up in a musical household. His aunt is Mairéad
Ní Mhaonaigh, leader of the renowned traditional
band Altan, who themselves draw much of their inspiration
from the music of Donegal. Ciarán learned his first
music from his grandfather. However he has also
absorbed much of the music of some of the great
names of the Donegal tradition.
Echoes of the music of the Doherty's,
Neillidh Boyle, Francie and Mickey Byrne, Con Cassidy,
James Byrne can be heard in his playing on this recording.
Uncompromising, driving and always inventive fiddle music,
steeped in a venerable tradition, distinguishes the music
on this album. From the opening notes of Miss Patterson's
Slippers Ciarán O'Maonaigh sets down a marker. This is
sparkling music played with a technical ability that belies
his young age and informed understanding of the nuances
and repertoire of the great Donegal fiddle tradition that
is his birthright. Ciaran is joined on the recording by
guitar player John Blake and fiddle player Dermot McLaughlin.
A recent feature article on Ciarán published in The Irish
Times finishes with the sentence "Ask him what his
vices are, and he answers simply, "playing tunes".
Not a bad habit to have! Lots more ::here::
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