The Chieftains: Ireland’s Traditional Music Ambassadors in Seattle
SEATTLE - The internationally acclaimed Irish musical ambassadors The Chieftains, bring their traditional Celtic music to Seattle audiences on July 14 at The Paramount Theatre.
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THE CHIEFTAINS
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With a career that spans four decades and 40 albums, The Chieftains are not only Ireland's premier musical emissaries but also the most enduring and influential creative force in establishing the international appeal of Celtic music.
Paddy Moloney, the group's founder and front man, first brought together a group of local musicians in Dublin in 1962, fashioning an authentic instrumental sound that stood in sharp contrast to the slick commercial output of most Irish music at the time. The group's first four albums, recorded between 1963 and 1974, established their worldwide reputation.
Master fiddler Seán Keane joined in 1968, making his band debut at the Edinburgh Festival. Keane was born in Dublin in 1946 into a musical family. Both of his parents were fiddlers, but he chose to start out on the pipes. At the age of 14, he was in several performing bands and by 16 quit school.
A year later Keane entered a fiddle competition and came to the attention of Seán ÓRiada, who invited him to join the Irish band Ceoltóirí Cualann. This not only got him accepted into the Dublin music scene, but also got him acquainted with Moloney, a member of the band at the time.
Bodhrán player Kevin Conneff was enlisted in 1976 to replace Peadar Mercier, who retired from the band to spend more time with his family. Born in 1945, Conneff was born in the heart of Dublin in a district known as Liberties. His family loved music, especially by legendary Irish tenor John McCormack and Caruso.
As he notes, he wasn't exposed to traditional Irish music in the same way other members of The Chieftains were. He preferred pop music in his early years, but gradually came to appreciate the traditional music of his country. He began singing it and learned how to play the bodhrán.
The newest member of The Chieftains, flutist Matt Molloy joined the group in 1979 as the replacement for Michael Tubridy. A native of County Roscommon, Molloy is widely recognized as the best flute player in Irish traditional music and was formerly in The Bothy Band and Planxty. He started playing at the age of 12, going on to excel at traditional music festivals (called fleadhanna cheoil) where he won numerous competitions.
The Chieftains perform on July 14 at 7:30 PM at The Paramount Theatre. Tickets range from $25 to $40 and tickets are on sale now at The Paramount Box office, The Moore Theatre Box Office, by calling (206) 292_ARTS, or online at www.theparamount.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
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