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:: Biography Through friendship with Paddy Moloney, Matt Molloy was already familiar with the Chieftains when he joined in 1979 as one of the two non - Dubliners in the group, replacing Michael Tubridy on flute. The Chieftains 9; Boil The Breakfast Early is his first album with the Chieftains and it is clear from that album, the impact Matt is going to have on the group. Matt Molloy comes from a strong musical background and is known in the famed flute playing tradition of Sligo. Before joining the Chieftains, Matt was already known as an accomplished flautist playing with a number of groups and session artists. Molloy was born in Ballaghadereen, County Roscommon, Éire, an area well known for flute players. Coming from a strong musical background, his playing is influenced by the famed Sligo tradition of flute playing. Matt began playing the flute at age 8 and by the age of 17, he had won the All-Ireland Flute Championship and had a string of successes in National Fleadh Cheoil and Oireachtas. He moved to Dublin in the early 1970's where he started playing in the music scene and he became acquainted with Paddy Moloney. He was invited to join the group in 1979 when Tubridy left. During the burgeoning folk scene of the 1970's, Molloy was a founding member of the famous folk-rock group, The Bothy Band. After the Bothy Band disbanded in 1978, he appeared briefly with the reformed group, Planxty. Molloy has released several acclaimed solo albums and has worked with other accomplished musicians. He has teamed up with Paul Brady, Tommy Peoples, Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, Dónal Lunny and the Irish Chamber Orchestra among other artists. In addition to playing, Molloy owns a pub in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland
called Matt Molloy's, where he has recorded a live session album. His
pub is well known for having sessions including many different musicians.
He is known for his breathy style and energy in his playing. :: Instrument Profiles Flute: Matt has been playing the Irish flute since he was eight, and has become one of the masters. The flutes used in traditional Irish music are called concert flutes. These were the standard instruments found in orchestras during the 19th century, prior to the introduction of Boehm system flutes circa 1843. They are conical-bore, transverse flutes, typically constructed of blackwood. They are played using 'simple system' (keyless) fingering or 'old system' (four to eight keys) fingering. They have a more robust and breathy tone compared to metal flutes. The picture above shows Matt playing the Irish flute. See also: Tin Whistle: In addition to the flute, Matt plays the tin whistle, though not very often. The tin whistle is a vertical fipple-flute. The fipple is the duct in the mouthpiece that directs air to produce sound. The first tin whistles of the 1800's were rolled plates of tin forming a tube, with a wooden block in the mouthpiece carved to form the fipple. Today's tin whistles are made of metals including nickel-silver, brass and aluminum. They have a range of two octaves, and are made in a wide range of keys. & low D. |
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[Home] [Biography] [Albums] [Interview] [Bar] [Events] [Photos] [Links] [Contact] © 2003 Matt Molloys, Bridge St, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland, t. +353 (0)98 26655 Designed & Developed by: Murrough O'Kane Quick Links: Irish Traditional Music Resource Pages: Former Bands/Artists Matt Molloy has worked with:
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