A chairde,

Beidh Len Graham agus Brian Ó hAirt ag tabhairt ceolchoirme i Rockaway, Nua-Jersey, amárach, Satharn {an 5u).

Paul

Eolas daoibh:

IAANJ CONCERT 9/5/09

LEN GRAHAM and BRIAN O'hAIRT

Doors open 7:30, Session to follow, come prepared to play and sing!

$20 or $15 for IAANJ Members, reservations advised! 352 Richard Mine Rd. Rockaway Tnsp. NJ directions at www.iaanj.com

Len Graham

Traditional Singer and Storyteller



Irish singer Len Graham offers traditional songs in English mostly from the North of Ireland, with memories from a lifetime of collecting and singing. Len's extensive repertory of songs covers the whole gamut of themes and human experience as portrayed in early classic ballads, broadside ballads, local songs, come-all-ye's, lyric folksongs, music hall pieces; songs on politics, murder, love, emigration and much more.

Len Graham is one of Ireland's best known traditional singers who has gained an international reputation, not only for his inimitable singing style, but also for the breadth of his knowledge of Irish folk music. Poet and writer Ciarán Carson says; "By definition, any traditional singer is obliged to the past, but he assimilates the songs in the here-and now, and re-makes them in his own voice, continually. Those who know Len Graham's singing will recognize artistry and the spontaneity of his voice; but there is no spontaneity without recollection. To be here, you must have been there; and Len has, many times."



Brían Ó hAirt's (Brian Hart) anomalous voice stands as a testament to the power of tradition. His ability to share the mind's eye of an older generation of singers has afforded him great acclaim at his young age. He became the youngest and first ever American to win the coveted Sgiath Uí Dhálaigh shield at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Listowel, Co. Kerry in 2002-adding his name to the shield's long list of noted singers including Joe Heaney, Frank Harte and Paddy Berry.

His dedication to traditional song and more specifically to the sean-nós style of singing encouraged him to learn the Irish language to an uncanny fluency and along the way introduced him to the close-knit singing community of the Conamara Gaeltacht where Irish is still the commonly spoken language.



Len Will be offering a workshop in Singing prior to the show, and Brian will offer a class in Sean Nos Dancing,. So if interested RSVP ASAP! Workshops will be from 5:00-6:30, which will allow for a quick dinner in the area before the show if one wishes. Workshop fees are $25 payable directly to the teachers, do not include in ticket price.



You may mail for tickets by sending a check made out to IAANJ, with a SASE, and mail to: Iris Nevins. P.O. Box 429, Johnsonburg NJ 07846. Reservations encouraged at least via email or phone 908-813-8617. Do not include workshop fees in checks.



Here are their bios and links to hear some samples:

Len's links: www.storyandsong.com & www.chivalry.com/len_graham/
Brían's links: www.buamusic.com & www.myspace.com/brianohairt