We are very excited to kick off our 2020 House Concert Series with the return of JigJam, from Tullamore, Ireland!
JigJam are a multi-award winning quartet from the heart of the midlands in Ireland. Blending the best of traditional Irish music with Bluegrass and Americana in a new genre which has been branded as ‘I-Grass’ (Irish influenced Bluegrass), their onstage energy along with their virtuosic musical ability has captivated audiences throughout the world.
Jamie McKeogh, Cathal Guinan and Daithi Melia all hail from Tullamore, Co. Offaly with Co. Tipperary born Gavin Strappe completing the quartet. All four members grew up immersed in Irish traditional music and culture which is reflected by the band collectively achieving over twenty All-Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions. They have now developed their own unique style of music influenced by American Folk music whilst staying true to their Irish roots. Described as ‘The best Irish group so far in bluegrass’ this sharply dressed outfit deliver an energy-fuelled, foot-stomping live performance. All multi-instrumentalists, JigJam interchange between banjos, guitars, fiddles, mandolins and double bass onstage which creates an experience which is pleasing to both the eye and the ear.
Date: Friday, April 17, 2020 at 7PM Location: 1206 Mowery Ridge Rd., Frenchville, PA Bring your favorite beverage and if you like, you may bring a snack to share (optional). RSVP: ann@oakmountainhideaway.com
What a privileged it is to be hosting four members of The Crannua Collective at Oak Mountain Hideaway House Concerts!
The Crannua Collective features three generations of writers steeped in the the transatlantic tradition. They have come together to construct a new and original voice, creating a contemporary body of work, drawn from their collective and individual music history.
In 2015, Cormac De Barra was the Irish Cultural liaison for the World’s Fair in Milan. Knowing Ashley’s passion for writing within the Irish tradition, Cormac invited her to join him for a week, to curate a group of writers who also draw from the tradition to create contemporary works. The original members of The Crannua Collective (Moya Brennan, Éamonn De Barra, John Doyle, Cormac De Barra and Ashley Davis) collaborated during that week, producing live recordings and shows. From this work, John envisioned that they would create an album, blending the Gaelic traditions and Irish vocal traditions with Ashley’s traditional American roots. As the project grew, so did the collective. The group added new instruments and writing talents, as Dave Curley, Colin Farrell, Mick McAuley, Gawain Mathews and Cathy Jordan joined in 2017. Through this growth, the album’s transatlantic vision came into greater focus. This Collective would create a collection of original, contemporary works, drawing from the furthest Gaeltacht in Donegal to the Kansas prairie. It is with great pleasure that we offer you this new music, grown by The Crannua Collective from seed to flower.
We will have two of the founding members, Ashley Davis and Cormac DeBarra, as well as Dave Curley and Colin Farrell with us for this concert. Here is a little background on each of them.
Ashley Davis
Ashley is a singer and composer whose work spans many genres. A native of Kansas, she studied music first in Nashville and went on to immerse herself in the sean-nós Gaelic singing tradition in Ireland. She has released five solo albums to date, toured as vocalist with the group Lúnasa, and has collaborated with many artists including Sara Watkins and Paddy Moloney. We are very happy that Ashley has pulled together these members of the Crannua Collective to play here! www.ashleydavisband.com
Cormac De Barra
Raised in Dublin, Cormac De Barra is the third generation of harper in the family, and was taught first by his grandmother. He has been playing professionally since age 17, performing across the globe and with many artists including Hazel O’Connor, Brian Kennedy and The Chieftains. We have had his brothers, Éamonn (Slide and also a member of The Crannua Collective) and Fionán (Runa) here before. What a treat to have yet another fantastically talented member of the De Barra family play here! www.voicesandharps.ie
Dave Curley
Returning again, with yet another Irish group (he’s in high demand, …a testament to his talents) is Dave Curley. Dave is a Galway man and is regarded as one of Ireland’s leading traditional male vocalists. He is also a virtuoso on mandolin, banjo and guitar and is a member of various traditional music groups, most notably Slide and One for the Foxes. We are always excited to have Dave play and sing here at Oak Mountain Hideaway! www.davecurleymusic.com
Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell hails from Manchester and has been performing on the world stage for over two decades now. Equally at home on the whistle as he is on the fiddle, he has made a name for himself performing and recording with an array of great musicians in Europe and the US, including such groups as Flook, Grada, Karen Casey, The Elders, Julie Fowlis, The Michael McGoldrick Band and is currently playing with the band Lúnasa. Colin previously played here with John Doyle and we are thrilled to have him back! www.colinfarrellmusic.com
Date: Friday, June 12, 2020 at 7PM Location: 1206 Mowery Ridge Rd., Frenchville, PA Feel free to bring your favorite beverage and if you like, a snack to share (optional). RSVP: ann@oakmountainhideaway.com
We couldn’t be happier that The Black Feathers are returning to Oak Mountain Hideaway! If you’ve seen them before, you’ll be as happy as we are, if you haven’t seen them, you are in for a treat!
The ability to write songs that are both modern and ancient is a rare thing. The product of an arcane art of weaving in traditional influences so thoroughly that they become the warp and weft of fresh creations.
The Black Feathers, made up of Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler, are two such talents. They first became aware of the magic between them while collaborating on several musical projects, becoming The Black Feathers and life partners in 2012.
“Once in a blue moon, the whole soars far above the sum of its parts. That’s what happens when The Black Feathers perform live.”
Black Mountain News, North Carolina
Americana, Folk, and Acoustic Indie Rock sensibilities coexist comfortably in their musical world, with Hughes’ guitar work buoying the kind of harmonies often only heard in family bands. Their music quickly draw the interest of listeners, but it is the stage chemistry that will keep them riveted.
Having already built up a loyal following in the UK, The Black Feathers have been spreading their wings across the US. They have performed at Philadelphia Folk Festival and AmericanaFest, and have also been awarded official showcases at the North East Regional and Far-West Folk Alliance conferences.
Date: Monday, July 27, 2020 at 7PM Location: 1206 Mowery Ridge Rd., Frenchville, PA Bring your favorite beverage and if you like, a snack to share (optional). RSVP: ann@oakmountainhideaway.com
Annie Sumi is an Ontario-based folk singer-songwriter with a sound shaped by varied musical influences, from Joni to Feist to Nick Drake, and a dash of mystical songstress Kate Bush emerging in this album.
Sumi’s debut album charted on college radio (Earshot!) for 10 straight weeks and a few tracks earned airplay on CBC Radio from coast to coast. The album also earned numer-ous accolades, including nominations for Best Contemporary Folk Recording and Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2016 Hamilton Music Awards, and Best Singer-Songwriter at the 2015 Toronto Independent Music Awards.
“You can’t leave an Annie Sumi performance and feel anything but inspired. She fills the stage with joy and it spills over into the audience. Her songs manage to pull you into her world.”
Leah Morise, House of Harmony
Date: Friday, August 28, 2020 at 7PM Location: 1206 Mowery Ridge Rd., Frenchville, PA
Please bring: Your masks (must be worn when purchasing merchandise), a lawn chair or blanket, your favorite beverage and a personal snack to enjoy, bug spray (optional).
In this new age of COVID 19 we need to be careful so we ask that you follow social distancing, and wear your masks when necessary. This will be an outdoor show and in case of inclement weather, it may be cancelled.
RSVP by: August 24. If you cannot attend but would like to support the artist and our concert series, feel free to mail a check to Oak Mountain Hideaway, 1206 Mowery Ridge Rd., Frenchville, PA 16836
Heron Valley are an energetic, young folk band from Scotland who have serious enthusiasm for the music they play. Their roots lie in Scottish and Irish traditional music, while taking influence from various Folk, Country and Bluegrass styles. The six-piece, energy fueled group comprises:
Alex Mackechnie – Fiddle / Accordion / Guitar Nick Hamilton – Drums / Banjo Abigail Pryde – Vocals / Guitar Euan McNab – Bagpipes / Whistles / Guitar Arlene Mackechnie – Piano Callum Cronin – Bass Guitar
Heron Valley tour as a 5-piece line-up in the US. The band will convey their unique Scottish sound and energetic performance to ensure their audiences are absorbed by the enthusiasm. This will comprise of a lineup of Bagpipes, Fiddle, Vocals, Whistles, Banjo, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bass and any other instrument they can get their hands on.
As both singer and songwriter, Jim Malcolm is one of the most distinctive voices in Scottish music, “one of the finest singing voices in Scotland in any style”. He was lead singer of the phenomenal Scottish band Old Blind Dogs for seven years, touring extensively throughout Europe and North America and playing at many of the biggest folk festivals. In 2004, Jim was songwriter of the year in the Scots Trad Music Awards, and he has been nominated three times for Scots Singer of the Year. He has a huge repertoire of songs from the Scottish tradition and is a noted interpreter of Burns. These old songs are complemented by his own original and award-‐winning songs, which are at once completely modern and accessible, yet an authentic addition to the cannon of Scottish music. Jim plays expressive guitar in mainly DADGAD tuning, and simultaneously plays tunes on harmonicas to a standard you’ll seldom hear elsewhere. “Given the right song, he’ll melt you in your seat,” as one critic wrote. What’s more, Jim’s between-‐song wit has developed to an art form all of its own. Not to be missed!
“Malcolm has one of those pure, warm folk voices (two parts Archie Fisher, one part Dick Gaughan) that one never tires of listening to” Dirty Linen
“Transcendent brilliance in songwriting and musicianship” Mojo
For more, visit: https://www.jimmalcolm.com/ Tickets: $20 Bring your favorite beverage and a snack to share (optional).
This fresh new trio from the heart of Connemara, Ireland combines Irish music and an intriguing blend of modern folk influences to produce a rich sound and exciting experience to delight listeners.
Featuring an unusual line-up of flute, whistles, harp, bodhrán, guitar and vocals (with some Irish dancing steps thrown in!), HighTime make a youthful and energetic statement.
Equal measures of music and tradition from old Ireland coupled with bold new arrangements make for a tasty platter of story, music, song and dance from these three young men; All hailing from the village of Ardmore on the rugged west coast.
Ciarán Bolger – Guitar and Vocals Conall Ó Flatharta – Flute, whistle & vocals Séamus Ó Flatharta – Celtic Harp, whistle, bódhran drum, Irish dancing & vocals
For more, visit: https://www.hightime.ie Tickets: $20 Bring your favorite beverage and a snack to share (optional).
Shane Hennessy is a virtuoso guitarist and songwriter from Carlow, Ireland. His energetic contemporary guitar playing style encompasses innovative fingerpicking, flatpicking, and hybrid picking techniques.
His cinematically vivid compositions tie in multiple influences from various world and ethnic musics, not least his background in Irish traditional music. He has caught the attention of big names like guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel and super-producer Nile Rodgers (CHIC).
Among Shane’s achievements to date include a sold-out show at Ireland’s National Concert Hall, a collaboration with Riverdance composer Bill Whelan, a stint as an opening act for Tommy Emmanuel, and a billing at MerleFest.
For more, visit: https://www.shanehennessy.ie/ Tickets: $15 Bring your favorite beverage and a snack to share (optional).
Hiroya is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan. He began playing the five-string banjo when he was thirteen, and took up the guitar shortly after.
In 2000, Hiroya received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and came to the United States. He formed his own group in Boston “INTEROCEANICO (inter-oceanic)” which consists of unique musicians from different continents including Latin Grammy Colombian singer Marta Gomez. The group released three acclaimed records (“The Other Side of the World”, “Confluencia” and “Where the River Shines”). Hiroya has released three solo albums (“Solo”, “Heartland” and “Places”).
Hiroya has been leading concerts internationally including several appearances at Blue Note in New York City with his group and Japanese National Television(NHK). In 2018, Hiroya won 2nd place in International Finger Style Guitar Championship.
“…chops, passion and warmth. Zealously recommended!” -Jazz Review.com
“HiroyaTsukamoto plays with fluid mastery, pristine tone, and greatwarmth. ”
The Memory of Magic, a new cd is a stunning new work from the musical heart and soul of renowned musician and fiddler Winifred Horan. Winifred has performed at Oak Mountain Hideaway previously with fellow former Solas band mate, Mick McAuley, along with Colm O’Caoimh. For this show, she will be joined by special guests, Utsav Lal and Dan Faiella.
Winifred Horan is an extraordinarily talented American fiddler of Irish descent. After classical training, she played with the all-female Celtic music ensemble Cherish the Ladies before becoming an original member of the Irish traditional music group Solas.
Horan was born in New York City, New York to Irish parents and studied piano (taught by her father, a carpenter and musician) and Irish fiddle playing at a young age. She attended and graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts, where she studied classical violin, and the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado. She played with multiple orchestras, including the Boston Pops Orchestra, and string quartets, before joining the all-female Celtic music ensemble Cherish the Ladies in 1990. She co-founded Solas in 1994, and is on fiddle and backing vocals.
Outside of her work with Solas, Horan was a member of and toured with The Sharon Shannon Band, and also performed with Irish singer-songwriter Pierce Turner. She was “featured fiddler” on When Juniper Sleeps, a 1996 solo album by Séamus Egan, and co-writer of certain tracks for the 1995 film The Brothers McMullen. She is, as of 2004, a nine-time champion Irish stepdancer and an All-Ireland fiddle champion, having won an All-Ireland Junior Championship at age eleven.
Horan released her first solo album, Just One Wish, in October 2002 on Shanachie Records. In 2006, she and fellow Solas member, accordionist Mick McAuley, released Serenade on Compass Records, with covers of “After the Gold Rush” by Neil Young and “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan. Horan composed two of the album’s tracks: “Little Mona Lisa” and “A Daisy in December”, which was featured during the third season of the American reality television competitive dance series So You Think You Can Dance.
Utsav Lal will be on keyboard and Dan Faiella on guitar.
