Produced by Myles O’Reilly but shot completely by Simon O’Neill because Myles was too hungover. Rachel Sermanni plays “Song to a Fox” and “Little Prayer” from her debut album Under Mountains, live in McCarthys Bar in Dingle, Co. Kerry, during Féile na Bealtaine.

Directed and edited by Simon O’Neill.
Produced by Myles O’Reilly.

Rachel Sermanni is a Scottish folk musician from Carrbridge, in Strathspey.

“Rachel’s debut album ‘Under Mountains’, produced by Ian Grimble and released in September of last year is a thing of beauty. Falling somewhere between the quirky Nu-Folk of Joanna Newsom and the more mature sophistication of Norah Jones, this is an impeccably produced collection of songs that showcases the outstanding vocal talents of Ms Sermanni.”
Entertainment.ie

http://www.rachelsermanni.net/

In April 2013 I was invited on board the good ship Hansard to accompany Glen and his band around Italy for a few days while touring Italy in Europe to promote his debut solo album, Rhythm And Repose. Created over a year and a half while living in New York City, Rhythm And Repose was recorded by Patrick Dillett (David Byrne, Arto Lindsay, Laurie Anderson) and produced by Thomas Bartlett (Doveman, The National, Antony and the Johnsons) and is Glen’s first release since The Swell Season’s Strict Joy (2009).

http://www.glenhansardmusic.com/songofgoodhope/

http://johnsmithjohnsmith.com/

More from Reijseger Fraanje Sylla

Ernst Reijseger – Cello
Harmen Fraanje – Piano
Mola Sylla – Vocals, M’bira, Xalam, Kongoma

This trio creates personal music, evoking strong reactions of audiences. Like spirituals maybe, played by an atheist, a vegetarian and a mussel man.The musicians all contribute with original compositions. Their different backgrounds and individual vocabulary connect miraculously natural.Reijseger, Fraanje and Sylla got to know each other well over the past years and shared many adventures, both as a performing trio as in other projects, such as film scores for Werner Herzog’s ‘My Son My Son What Have Ye Done’ and ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’. Playing together became addictive.

When producer Stefan Winter asked Reijseger what project he wanted to record next, Reijseger said: “This trio is it, because I have found, completely by coincidence, this great pianist and this angel of a singer, that make me play differently and vice versa times three. It is a living organism, this trio. Not a concept. In fact its concepts change all the time. New approaches occur and are recognized by its members. No democracy, but sensitive cooperation.”

The concerts and soon to be released live-to-two-track recording reflect this approach. The trio plays ‘readings’ of their material. This means that the form occurs while performing. No structure is set beforehand. The trio rehearses just options and practices in communicating musically. This clears the way for surprising music with heartfelt expression.

A brief history

Mola Sylla (Senegal) met Ernst Reijseger (Netherlands) just after he played his first concerts in Amsterdam with his group Senemali in the late 80’s. Since then Amsterdam has been Sylla’s home base.
Ten years after this first meeting Sylla asked Reijseger to play a duo concert together. They kept playing together and were also part of several larger projects (f.i. with trombone player Ray Anderson, guitarist Franky Douglas and djembé master Adama Dramé).
In 2007 Harmen Fraanje (Netherlands) asked both Ernst Reijseger and Mola Sylla to join in a trio concert. It was clear to all three that they wished to continue playing together.

Previous releases with Reijseger, Fraanje and Sylla in different combinations

‘Moondive’
A three day project with Ray Anderson – trombone, Michel Godard – tuba and serpent, Lesley Joseph – bass, Eddie Veldman – drums and DJ Kikke / Ruben van Roon – beats, samples and percussion. Televised and recorded as ‘Moondive 3’ in 1998 by VPRO television.

‘Janna’
Reijseger, Sylla and percussionist Serigne Gueye, leading to several tours through Europe and South America after the release of the cd “Janna” by the label (2003, Winter & Winter)

‘Boompetit’
Eric Vloeimans – trumpet, Anton Goudsmit – guitar, Harmen Fraanje – piano, Ernst Reijseger – cello
(2004, Challenge Records)

‘Requiem for a Dying Planet’
Film scores for Werner Herzog’s films ‘The White Diamond’ and ‘The Wild Blue Yonder’. Played by the Sardenian Choir ‘Tenore e Cuncordu de Orosei’, Ernst Reijseger – cello and Mola Sylla – voice.
(2004 Winter & Winter)

‘My Son My Son What Have Ye Done’
Reijseger’s score for Werner Herzog’s film, played by Harmen Fraanje – piano, Mola Sylla – voice, Luciano Biondini – accordion, Alan Purves – percussion, Sandip Bhattacharya – tabla and voice, Ernst Reijseger – cello, cello quartet.
(2009, Winter & Winter)

‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’
Reijseger’s score for Werner Herzog’s film, played by Harmen Fraanje – piano, organ and Wurlizer piano, Dutch Chamber Choir, Ernst Reijseger – five string cello
(2011, Winter & Winter)

Ernst Reijseger – Cello
Harmen Fraanje – Piano
Mola Sylla – Vocals, M’bira, Xalam, Kongoma

This trio creates personal music, evoking strong reactions of audiences. Like spirituals maybe, played by an atheist, a vegetarian and a mussel man.The musicians all contribute with original compositions. Their different backgrounds and individual vocabulary connect miraculously natural.Reijseger, Fraanje and Sylla got to know each other well over the past years and shared many adventures, both as a performing trio as in other projects, such as film scores for Werner Herzog’s ‘My Son My Son What Have Ye Done’ and ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’. Playing together became addictive.

When producer Stefan Winter asked Reijseger what project he wanted to record next, Reijseger said: “This trio is it, because I have found, completely by coincidence, this great pianist and this angel of a singer, that make me play differently and vice versa times three. It is a living organism, this trio. Not a concept. In fact its concepts change all the time. New approaches occur and are recognized by its members. No democracy, but sensitive cooperation.”

The concerts and soon to be released live-to-two-track recording reflect this approach. The trio plays ‘readings’ of their material. This means that the form occurs while performing. No structure is set beforehand. The trio rehearses just options and practices in communicating musically. This clears the way for surprising music with heartfelt expression.

A brief history

Mola Sylla (Senegal) met Ernst Reijseger (Netherlands) just after he played his first concerts in Amsterdam with his group Senemali in the late 80’s. Since then Amsterdam has been Sylla’s home base.
Ten years after this first meeting Sylla asked Reijseger to play a duo concert together. They kept playing together and were also part of several larger projects (f.i. with trombone player Ray Anderson, guitarist Franky Douglas and djembé master Adama Dramé).
In 2007 Harmen Fraanje (Netherlands) asked both Ernst Reijseger and Mola Sylla to join in a trio concert. It was clear to all three that they wished to continue playing together.

Previous releases with Reijseger, Fraanje and Sylla in different combinations

‘Moondive’
A three day project with Ray Anderson – trombone, Michel Godard – tuba and serpent, Lesley Joseph – bass, Eddie Veldman – drums and DJ Kikke / Ruben van Roon – beats, samples and percussion. Televised and recorded as ‘Moondive 3’ in 1998 by VPRO television.

‘Janna’
Reijseger, Sylla and percussionist Serigne Gueye, leading to several tours through Europe and South America after the release of the cd “Janna” by the label (2003, Winter & Winter)

‘Boompetit’
Eric Vloeimans – trumpet, Anton Goudsmit – guitar, Harmen Fraanje – piano, Ernst Reijseger – cello
(2004, Challenge Records)

‘Requiem for a Dying Planet’
Film scores for Werner Herzog’s films ‘The White Diamond’ and ‘The Wild Blue Yonder’. Played by the Sardenian Choir ‘Tenore e Cuncordu de Orosei’, Ernst Reijseger – cello and Mola Sylla – voice.
(2004 Winter & Winter)

‘My Son My Son What Have Ye Done’
Reijseger’s score for Werner Herzog’s film, played by Harmen Fraanje – piano, Mola Sylla – voice, Luciano Biondini – accordion, Alan Purves – percussion, Sandip Bhattacharya – tabla and voice, Ernst Reijseger – cello, cello quartet.
(2009, Winter & Winter)

‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’
Reijseger’s score for Werner Herzog’s film, played by Harmen Fraanje – piano, organ and Wurlizer piano, Dutch Chamber Choir, Ernst Reijseger – five string cello
(2011, Winter & Winter)

Legendary jazz players Louis Stewart and Jim Doherty perform for Castle Suppers.

http://www.louisstewartjimdoherty.ban

http://www.beechparkrecords.com

The Rite of Spring by Ériu Dance Company. With Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Company.

Directed and Choreographed by Breandán de Gallaí

This event was part of an extensive contemporary arts programme for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2012. For further information visit http://www.cavanarts.ie

http://www.lunasa.ie

Ed Boyd – Guitar
Kevin Crawford – Flute & Low Whistle
Trevor Hutchinson – Double Bass
Sean Smyth – Fiddle & Low Whistle
Cillian Vallely – Uilleann Pipes & Low Whistle

Róisín O’s debut album is available here – http://roisino.bigcartel.com/
Join our mailing list here – http://eepurl.com/fqF0c
For more info visit http://www.roisino.com/

I was asked to make a behind-the-scenes document of some of Ireland’s renowned writers, musicians and singers, as well as emerging artists, gathering at the home of the President of Ireland to make a special programme dedicated to Irish people worldwide. The performances of all the artists were filmed in Áras an Uachtaráin allowing viewers everywhere to experience the historic and beautiful home of the Presidents of Ireland.

Speaking about the project, President Higgins said:
“I am very grateful to all the artists who responded so positively to my invitation to be part of this worldwide call to Irish people to celebrate an Irishness of which we can all be proud. I am very pleased that RTÉ and The Gathering 2013 agreed to be partners in this important initiative.

Throughout our history, literature, music and art have been a source of great strength, have helped us cope with adversity, have not only soothed the loss which they described so well but also opened the space for new possibilities of renewal and change and created joy. I hope the programme will encourage Irish people everywhere to engage with the valuable resource that is our culture, to look to our creative possibilities and to project our Irishness into the world in the positive way that has been the achievement of our artists and cultural workers.”

The special programme features President Higgins in conversation with Bono, Séamus Heaney, Druid Theatre’s Garry Hynes and playwright Tom Murphy and Christy Moore. There are music performances from Steve Cooney, Glen Hansard, Lisa Hannigan, Martin Hayes, Imelda May, Christy Moore, Róisín O, Iarla O Lionaird, Peadar O Riada, David Power and The Script.

The programme also includes poetry and drama. Actress Marie Mullen performs the final scene of Tom Murphy’s play Famine; poet Louis de Paor reads ‘An Glaoch’ a bilingual poem he created for this project; Paula Meehan recites her poem ‘Home’; and in ‘Airspace’ Joseph O’Connor reflects on the richness and diversity of the Irish experience and perspective.

RTÉ Director-General Noel Curran says: “We are particularly delighted to premiere this special programme on our international digital platforms, both extending an invitation to the Irish abroad and profiling a wealth of Irish creative talent to an international audience. As Ireland’s public service multi-media organisation, RTÉ is committed to supporting and nurturing Irish culture and we hope that our international platforms will provide access for a global audience to join us this St Patrick’s Day.”