Sessions on Sessions - House Concerts

Here we GO!!

Can't wait until our Sunday afternoon show in April! Who else is excited to see Mari Black?!

What a wonderful night we had with Randal and Don - thanks again, fellas! Coming up next, we've got another WONDERFUL fiddler on Sunday, April 13, at 4PM. We're so honored and excited to host multi-style fiddle virtuoso Mari Black, accompanied by the talented Kendall Rogers. More details to come, but you don't want to miss this!

Almost one week away, can't wait to host these amazing musicians next Thursday! Y'all don't want to miss Randal Bays and Don Penzien. Here's some info about them:

Randal Bays:
Randal Bays is a self-taught US-born musician who's been playing Irish fiddle for more than thirty years; he's now widely known as a master of that complex, ancient art, with a special love for the traditional styles of Counties Clare and Galway. He's "among the best Irish style fiddlers of his generation", according to Fiddler Magazine. Randal has toured and recorded with many of the great Irish musicians of the day, including James Keane and Daithi Sproule (in the band Fingal), James Kelly, Martin Hayes, Micheal O'Domhnaill and many more. He also has a string of great independent recordings to his credit, including his recent release with his family band, "A Rake of Tunes." Randal has performed all over the US, Europe and Canada, and is in great demand as a teacher of Irish fiddle. He co-founded and served for ten years as Artistic Director of the Friday Harbor Irish Music Week, and is now Artistic Director of the Cascadia Irish Music Week, bringing together students and teachers of traditional Irish music every summer in the Pacific Northwest.
Randal lives in Olympia, Washington.

Don Penzien:
Don Penzien has long been a top-flight performer of Irish traditional music. He frequently is on the road playing concerts and festivals with Haley Richardson, Gailfean, Brian Conway, Gerry O'Connor, Randal Bays, and The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, and he has served as accompanist for numerous other well-known performers (e.g., Seán Gavin, John Whelan, Liz Hanley, Nuala Kennedy, Tim Britton, John Williams, Pat Broaders, Gabe Donohue, Ben Jaber, Tony DeMarco, Billy McComiskey, Sean Clohessy, Bridget Fitzgerald, Kevin Doyle).
Widely recognized for his reserved backing style, Don's dexterous work on DADGAD-tuned guitar provides solid, driving rhythms to traditional tunes as well as perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs. Don is a Michigan native with strong roots in Irish culture and an affinity for Celtic music. He now resides in NC where he works as Professor at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Another house concert? Yes please! This time we're honored to host amazing Irish fiddle great Randal Bays, accompanied by the inimitable guitarist Don Penzien! Thursday evening, March 13. More info to come!!

A quick turnaround, but we're preparing for and excited to be hosting a band from Brittany, France! This time on a sunny Sunday afternoon - Oct. 20 at 4pm.

For more details, here's the band's info:

Prepare to be captivated by the Breizh Amerika Collective, a musical force that transcends borders, blending the ancient traditions of Brittany with the vibrant sounds of modern America. This year, the Collective returns with an electrifying lineup of artists who are not only masters of their craft but also fearless innovators. They fuse Celtic, swing, jazz and world music into a sonic experience that’s as rich and diverse as the cultures it represents. More than just a band, the Breizh Amerika Collective is a movement—a celebration of music, culture, and heritage that bridges the Atlantic and brings audiences into the heart of Brittany’s soul. Whether performing in bustling American cities or remote Breton villages, the Collective’s mission is clear: to create unforgettable musical experiences that honor the past while boldly exploring the future. This is not just another tour; it's a cultural exchange that deepens the ties between Brittany and America, with a spotlight on Louisiana’s unique heritage.

Julien Le Mentec - A stalwart of Breton music since 1989, Julien is a bassist, composer, and arranger who breathes new life into traditional Breton sounds. With a career spanning over three decades, he's been a driving force behind numerous groundbreaking projects, blending jazz, Celtic, and world music with Breton traditions. As a founding member of the fest-noz group Oliolio, Julien has continually pushed the boundaries of Breton music, making it accessible to new audiences across the globe. His involvement with the Breizh Amerika Collective since 2016 has led to unforgettable performances from San Francisco to Louisiana, and now, he's back to lead another exciting transatlantic journey.

Gweltaz Rialland - Hailing from Loire-Atlantique in Brittany, Gweltaz started playing the bombarde at the age of nine and quickly rose to prominence in the Breton music scene. A champion of Brittany, Gweltaz's passion for traditional Breton music is matched only by his curiosity for global sounds. His mastery of both the bombarde and saxophone allows him to effortlessly blend Breton traditions with jazz and world music. Gweltaz's dynamic performances have captivated audiences for years, making him an essential part of the Collective's mission to bridge cultures through music.

Thibault Niobé - Thibault's musical journey began with classical guitar but soon veered into the electric realm, driven by a love for rock ‘n’ roll. However, it was the raw energy of Breton festoù-noz that truly captured his heart. Since discovering Celtic music at 16, Thibault has become a versatile musician, proficient in both the Scottish bagpipes and the guitar. His ability to blend traditional Breton sounds with modern influences makes him a perfect fit for the Breizh Amerika Collective, where he continues to explore new musical horizons.

Together, these musicians form the core of the Breizh Amerika Collective, an initiative that not only creates original music but also brings awareness to endangered traditions while fostering lasting transatlantic connections.

We're 2 weeks away! Here's a nice taste of the East Coasters we'll be hosting on Wednesday, Oct 9 at 6:30. Y'all come on out!

Andy sitting in with The East Coasters

I don't know about y'all, but WE'RE gtting excited for hosting the East Coasters on October 9th!
Here's some info on the band you're not going to want to miss:

The East Coasters are a group of young Irish musicians from the East Coast of the US whose sound and arrangements are a rich blend of the music in their local communities.

MADELINE DIERAUF is from Western North Carolina, and began playing Irish music under the tutelage of Asheville’s Beanie O’Dell before quickly becoming immersed in Atlanta’s Irish music scene. Her music has taken her to many stages, from Wilkesboro’s Merlefest to IrishFest Atlanta and the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Her sensitive and thoughtful approach to the tunes and harmonies is a cornerstone of the band’s unique sound.

RICHARD OSBAN is a driving and dynamic guitarist based in Baltimore, Maryland. He cut his teeth on Irish music while living in Europe, and toured internationally with several Irish and Scottish music projects before returning to the US. He has performed on festival stages and been an instructor at many teaching festivals both in Europe and the US, and his deliberate approach to harmony reinforces and underpins the band’s groove.

CALUM BELL is a multi-instrumentalist who has been performing on New England stages since the age of seven, when he started touring with the Bell Family Band, and he can be found today playing six nights a week at venues in and around his native Boston. He brings a mastery far beyond his years to the Irish fiddle and flute, and regularly tours with international Irish music and dance shows in the US and Europe. His innovative approach to the music combines syncopation and creative harmonies with a deep respect for the tradition.