Seán Gavin & Colm Gannon
Sunday December 7th 4pm
Seán Gavin, is one of the most highly regarded Irish musicians of his generation. Master uilleann piper and flute player, he is the first and only musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal. His recording, Music from the Lost Continent, with fiddler Jesse Smith, accompanist John Blake, and bodhran player Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh, was hailed by The Irish Echo as "traditional music at its best!" Seán has toured with the groups Bua and Téada, both have gleaned top praise from Irish music critics. He was Musical Director for the PBS program "I Am Ireland", and for the long running Atlantic Steps. He has lectured on traditional music at the University of Chicago, St. Andrew's in Scotland, and many other locations. Seán is now back in his native Detroit where he continues to play, teach, and promote traditional Irish music. His latest project is the Irish Music Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that encourages people of all ages to explore the ancestral music and song of Ireland. IMI connects a broad network of players, learners, and enthusiasts worldwide. https://irishmusicinstitute.org www.SeanGavinMusic.com
Accordion wizard Colm Gannon's playing is as vibrant and beautiful as the Connemara hills. Born in Boston of Connemara parents, he learned his music from his father and brother Sean. As a youth he played regularly with Seamus Connolly, Tina Lech and Jesse Smith. Colm won the All-Ireland on the button accordion in 1994, has toured widely with Riverdance, Dervish, and DeDannan and even performed with Dolly Parton. He has many recordings to his credit and is widely recognized as one of the young masters of the tradition. Colm has studied and lectured on the connections between American culture and Irish music, and the history of Irish music, particularly in Connemara, focusing on accordion players of the last century.