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Event
AN EVENING OF IRISH SONGS
Two of Ireland's most respected "trad" performers, Ciaran Sommers and Larry Egan are here in the US to perform incredible music that will lift your souls and move your feet. Their impeccable ability to perform "as one" takes the listener on a dizzying journey of Irish melodies through paces one might find on a thrill-ride. This is a rare opportunity to witness two of Ireland's best young interpreters of Celtic song, music of the long past made relevant by Ciaran and Larry.
Ciarán Somers is from Muine Bheag, County Carlow in the south east of Ireland. His first interest in playing music began with tin whistle lessons at the age of eleven with Micky Byrne and the local Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann (Organisation of Musicians in Ireland) branch. He developed a love for the North Connacht style of playing from an early age having attended classes with Seamus Tansey and Peter Horan from County Sligo.
Ciarán holds BA in music from the Waterford Institute of Technology and a Masters Degree in Music Technology. He is an experienced instrumental teacher having given workshops in the United States, Japan and throughout Europe. He is on the teaching staff of the annual Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay County Clare. He can be heard playing on a number of albums including Wooden Flute Obsession, a compilation CD of Irish Traditional Music played on the wooden flute. 2009 saw the release of 'Faoi Bhláth' - a duet recording with virtuoso fiddle player, Dave Sheridan and accompanied and produced by Guitarist, Nicolas Quemener from Brittany, France.
Ciaran works as a full time high school music teacher in rural Carlow where he is kept busy directing a number of choirs and musical groups.
Larry Egan comes from a musical family on the boarders of counties Carlow, Wicklow and Wexford in the south east of Ireland. He got his first tuition on the accordion from his Father and later took lessons with Liz King and Eilis Egan. By the age of ten he had several all-Ireland titles for playing the two row button accordion and also had success in duet playing competitions with his brother Patrick on concertina. Larry's family have been in the bar trade for generations and they still run 'Egans Bar' at a rural crossroads in Co. Wicklow. An informal gathering of musicians takes place each Saturday night
Moving to Cork in the south of Ireland to attend University there, Larry recorded 'The Kitchen Recordings' album with Banjo player Sean O'Driscoll in 2004. This recording has been subject to critical acclaim and has firmly placed Larry as a house hold name in Irish traditional music and as one of the top players of the button accordion today.
Larry now lives in Dublin where he works as a master brewer for Guinness. Larry plays regularly in the 'Cobblestone' bar near Dublin city centre with a host of musicians from around Ireland.
DUET Larry and Ciaran first met in Larry's fathers pub at the Saturday night music session at the ages of 8 and 10 respectively. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship in music. As soon as they were old enough, the two took to the road over the summer holiday season from high school to experience the music festival circuit and the adventures therein: Camping in the damp Irish weather, learning to drive, sampling Guinness for the first time, the lure and excitement of meeting young musicians of the opposite sex, and of course, it was here that they both served their musical apprenticeships, meeting and playing with master musicians from all parts of Ireland.
Having both gone their separate ways to attend University, Larry and Ciaran were approached to join a newly formed group ' The Geantraí Players' in 2004. That same year they represented Ireland at the International festival of world cultures at the Tokyo National Theatre and were guests of the Chinese Embassy in Beijing for St. Patrick's day celebrations in 2008.
Their last visit to Rhode Island was in 2010 where they performed at a number of house concerts and other venues. Three years on, their show promises to be a mixture of high energy dance music, haunting slow airs and the occasional tall tale all served with a liberal helping of humour. Keeping them on their toes on the night is the tour director Mr Tom Kendzia.
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LocationThe Granite Theatre (View)
1 Granite Street
Westerly, RI 02891
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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