About
There's long been a give-and-take in Irish music between the home country and its North American offshoots. Seamus Egan, an undisputed master multi-instrumentalist, is one link in this long chain, putting his mark on the sound of the Irish flute, tenor banjo, guitar, mandolin, and whistles. He has helped define the sound of Irish music today and has inspired countless young musicians.
While born in Philadelphia, Seamus and his family moved to County Mayo, Ireland when he was four years old. It was there that he came under the tutelage of Martin Donoghue, whose unlimited patience for teaching had a great impact on Seamus. Upon moving back to Philadelphia, he quickly connected with Mick Moloney, a brilliant musician, folklorist, and respected scholar of Irish music.
"Mick Moloney was certainly a huge influence on me growing up," Seamus recalls. "Hearing his banjo and mandolin playing as a child was what drew me to those instruments ... He took me on my first tours and introduced me to a whole world of experience and music."
By the time he was 14, Seamus had already won four all-Ireland competitions. Several years later, he went on to co-found the band Solas, combining virtuosic instrumental solos, lively rhythms for dancing, and vocal balladry. After twenty years, Solas remains one of the most renowned and influential groups in Irish music performing today.
"I think the identity of Irish music is so strong," he says, "that its DNA is evident even with the most radical of innovative approaches. It's the blood that flows through anything I might put my hand to," including this newest project from the 48-year-old master musician. Deeply rooted in the past, Seamus can blaze through traditional Irish reels and original compositions alike, all with his signature approach. Bringing together friends and musical guests, The Seamus Egan Project will explore the wide breadth of his catalog of music.