Dáithí Sproule & Laura MacKenzie
Dáithí Sproule, well-known for his pioneering guitar styles, deep knowledge of Irish song, and his place in the internationally acclaimed ensemble Altan , is a brilliant musician and a virtual font of cultural knowledge and lore. He has been a major force behind the success of traditional Irish music in today's popular culture. Multi-instrumentalist Laura MacKenzie has received numerous honors and awards for her work in traditional music, and has performed across the nation. Sproule and MacKenzie have been making music together in various ensembles for two decades and now offer a wonderful concert duo, featuring a rich gamut of traditional Irish and Scottish music plus Dáithí's recent compositions.
In conjunction with concert dates, both Dáithí and Laura offer clinics and workshops, such as: Traditional Songs in Irish and English, Irish Myth and Legend, Guitar Accompaniments, Learning the Tin Whistle, Irish Flute Techniques, Irish and Scottish Repertoire, Piping Hot Bagpipes, and more.
GREAT NEWS: Both Laura and Dáithí are both currently Bush Foundation Artist Fellows, one of the nation's most prestigious artists awards, and a great honor for both.
Their record label called for a duo CD this year, and it was released with great celebration as "The Pinery" on New Folk Records. "The Pinery" is truly a duet creation, throughout the instrumentals (airs, reels, jigs, double hornpipes) and the songs. MacKenzie's arsenal of wind-powered instruments (flutes, whistles, pipes, and concertina) are all featured, joined by Sproule's fresh and innovative guitar accompaniments and solos. They are both esteemed singers as well, and selections from their treasure trove of traditional song are presented in beautiful arrangements.
For Dáithí Sproule:
"A seminal figure in Irish Music" -- The Rough Guide to Irish Music
"One of Irish music's greatest guitar accompanists" --Steve Winick, All Music Guide
For Laura MacKenzie:
"High Priestess of Celtic music" -- Minnesota Public Radio
"Celtic music wizard" -- Minneapolis Star Tribune
Additional information on Dáithí and Laura:
Singer and guitarist Dáithí Sproule has long been internationally acclaimed in the world of Irish and Celtic music. He is most renowned as guitarist and vocalist with the Irish supergroup, Altan, arguably one of the biggest names in Irish traditional music. Along with his association with Altan, Dáithí continues to perform and record with Irish and American traditional luminaries such as Liz Carroll, Billy McComiskey, Tommy Peoples, Séamus and Mánus McGuire, Peter Ostroushko , Randal Bays and James Keane. In addition to his performing life, Dáithí is a composer of tunes and a writer of academic articles on early Irish poetry, legend and history and of short stories in the Irish language. Dáithí has released a solo CD of his guitar arrangements and compositions, "The Crow in the Sun" on New Folk Records.
An award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer, Laura MacKenzie, has been recognized as a Master Folk Artist by the Minnesota State Arts Board. Her musical talents span a number of wind-powered instruments including wooden flutes, whistles, many bagpipes, concertina, gemshorn and voice. For many years Laura has been at the heart of the revival of Irish music and dance in the Upper Midwest, including her time as a founding member of the Northern Star Ceili Band. In addition to her concerts with Dáithí Sproule, Laura performs solo and with Laura and The Lads, Willow Brae, Piper's Crow, and the Doon Ceili Band. As a guest artist, Laura has recorded with Peter Mayer, Ann Reed, Diane Jarvi, Chuck Suchy, Peter Ostroushko, Jeff Victor, Dean Magraw, Marty Haugen, Ann Heymann, Katie McMahon, Gary Rue, Boiled in Lead, Lorie Line and has released two of her own CDs on the New Folk Records label, "Laura and the Lads" and "Evidence".
For PRESS PHOTOS, go to:
http://www.lauramackenzie.com/press/2688
http://www.lauramackenzie.com/press/2687
For more information about Dáithí, please visit:
www.daithisproule.com.