TRAD FEST w/ TREMOLO
Whelanslive.com presents
Featuring
TREMOLO
+ ALPACA JAMBOREE
Tremolo consists of four accomplished musicians from the Irish traditional music scene, brought together by their shared taste in melodic, soulful music. Whilst remaining at all times innovative and refreshing, their technical ability never stands in the way of them remaining true to their collective musical passion
“Tremolo is an act of creating a “shudder-effect” in music as in the tremolo arm of a guitar. It is also a name of a group of four guys accomplished in their own solo projects…. musicians from the traditional Irish music scene. Technically they are amazing but couple that with their love for melodic and passionate sound -Tremolo become a dragon that breathe fire into the scene and remind us: this is what Irish music should sound like.”
Baxter Labatos, The Celtic Music Fan.
Donall Donnelly (Fiddle)
Donall Donnelly is a talismanic fiddle-player who adds a dynamism and drive to the unique sound of Tremolo. Growing up in the rich fiddle tradition of Co. Tyrone, Donall quickly developed a reputation for his technical virtuosity and style. Since becoming ‘Fiddler of Dooney’ champion he has gone on to tour worldwide, supporting bands like Capercaille, the Michael McGoldrck band and playing festivals ranging from Womad to Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
In 2007, Donall was invited to play with the legendary Dutch bandoneonist Carel Krayenhof in the world-famous ‘Concertgebouw’- Holland’s National Concert Hall. This remarkable showcase of Dutch composition and Irish music featured the much-loved Irish balladeer Niamh Parsons and was hailed as a successful fusion of international musical cultures.
Donall has appeared on innumerable BBC radio and television programmes including ‘An Stuif Ceart’ and more recently, in a music video on RTE 1’s the ‘Reel Deal’- featuring the top traditional musical talent of Ireland. Whilst possessing a consummate technical ability and energy, Donall’s playing retains a sweetness and subtlety that oozes personality, energy and warmth.
“The “Fiddler of Dooney” champion Donall Donnelly has moved on, found his musical inspiration and has delivered a debut album of stunning proportions.”
“Tremolo is imaginatively stunning traditional music with a twist and Donall Donnelly on the strength of it will remain a creative force for some time to come. It is as exciting, creative and free spirited as it is well composed and played.” – Tradconnect.com
“One of Ireland’s greatest young fiddle players- Donall Donnelly…….. an excellent debut featuring driving tunes of the highest order.” – The Irish Times
“Donall has delighted and entertained audiences all over the UK, Ireland and France with his finesse and originality. He’s set for great things to come” – BBC Radio London
Donncha Moynihan (Guitar)
Donncha Moynihan is a guitarist of immense ability and taste who infuses subtlety and warmth into everything he plays. Donncha is Cork-based and was a founding member of the much lauded traditional group Calico in early 1998. Calico went on to release two award-winning albums- ‘Celanova Square’, voted ‘Best New Folk Album’ by worldwide readers of the Irish Music Magazine and ‘Songdogs’ which was released to acclaim a few years later.
Donncha used the launch-pad of these early successes to establish himself as a luminary guitarist in the traditional music scene throughout Ireland. He has toured extensively with various traditional Irish bands worldwide including Lunasa, At the Racket, Bavan, Alan Kelly and The Red Hat Band. Donncha is in much demand as a recording artist and it is no surprise that he features on a multitude of recordings across the broad spectrum of irish traditional styles.
In addition to his highly renowned career as an instrumentalist, Donncha runs a successful recording studio (The Rise Studio) where he has engineered and mixed a broad range of both traditional and contemporary albums. This ability to deconstruct the music in a studio setting transmits a clarity of vision and purpose to all of the band’s music and Donncha’s clever chord structures lay the perfect foundation for the exciting melodies that make up the unique Tremulo sound.
Stijn van Beek (Uilleann Pipes, Low Whistle)
Stijn Van Beek is an innovative uilleann piper who instills an unique and cutting edge eclecticism to this musical line-up. Hailing all the way from Arnheim, ‘County Holland’, Stijn was drawn to the sound of the pipes at a young age. After mastering this challenging instrument on his own he studied music at University College Cork for two years.
Returning to Holland in 2005, Stijn continued his studies in music at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Utrecht and garnered a vast body of experience playing with an array of musicians from diverse musical backgrounds. Stijn has played with world-renowned tango bandoneonist Carel Kraayenhof, on Carel’s ‘Guardians of the Clouds’ album and none-other than renowned film composer Ennio Morricone.
Stijn regularly performs in an eclectic range of bands. He has toured and recorded an album with Mapi Quintana who mixes music from her homeland Asturias with jazz influences. Incredibly in 2008, Stijn was invited by the Irish frontman of the famous Dutch Indy rock group Moke to play as a guest musician. He was asked back to play uilleann pipes on their single ‘The Long Way’ and appeared on the main stages of the biggest Dutch pop festivals- ‘Pinkpop’ and ‘Parkpop’ playing in front of crowds of 80,000 people. With a piper of such dynamism in your ranks, the music of Tremulo will never want for diversity and imagination.
Karl Nesbitt (Bodhran, Flute, Bouzouki)
Karl Nesbitt adds precision, verve and versatility to this unique musical ensemble. As a multi-instrumentalist Karl is highly accomplished on flute, bodhran and bouzouki. His talents not only lie as a musician, but also as an in-demand arranger of music, composer and album producer.
From a background steeped in traditional Irish music, Karl is as skilled a soloist as he is an accompanist and his ability to look at the music from both perspectives adds an invaluable dimension to the band’s overall musicality. Karl’s debut album-“Vista Point” set a new bench-mark in the traditional irish music scene, causing the Irish Examiner to hail him as “master of the flute, bodhran and bouzouki”.
Karl has performed with some of the best musicians in irish music in various majestic settings across Europe, the Uk and China. He has carved out a reputation for himself as a band arranger and for two years in succession in Brittany, he organised and orchestrated the music for a band representing Ireland at the Festival Interceltique in L’orient. Add to that years of experience teaching instruments and winning the All-Ireland Fleadh Championship and you have an accomplished musician of consummate style and class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIs-X3yYlNETRAD FEST EVENTS
Fri 27th – THE BONNY MEN & MOSSY NOLAN Sat 28th – WICKER BONES & LYNCHED Sun 29th – BUNOSCIONNTICKETS
€10 available online from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] (50c per ticket service charge applies on phone or credit card bookings)