Alan
Kelly and the Mosaic Band
featuring: Frank Kilkelly (Guitar, vocals)
& Damian Evans (Upright bass)
Mosaic,
the most recent album from Roscommon
born piano accordionist Alan Kelly, has
been voted one of 2000's Top Ten
traditional albums by both the Irish Times and Hot Press. Produced by
guitarist Arty McGlynn, 'Mosaic'
features many new compositions from both Alan and Arty, as well as traditional
music from Scotland, Finland and of course Ireland.
Since the release of his
debut album 'Out of the Blue' in
1997, Alan has toured the U.S. Canada and Europe extensively. He was voted 1997
newcomer of the year by Irish Music Magazine and also took part in the 1999 "Best of Irish" nation-wide tour with Michael McGoldrick,
Karen Casey and Cathal Hayden.
Alan's live performances
have become something of a special event with the Irish Times stating “this was a brilliantly talented, effortless and exuberant performance”.
Alan's rich armoury of tunes, his infectious zeal for the accordion and his
on-stage mastery of the crowd, allied with his wonderfully articulate playing
was richly supported by the spirited backing of Frank Kilkelly on guitar and
Damian Evans on double bass.”
“
A spectacular performance from a group of musicians who play in the premier
league of their respective instruments. The Lensois people have seen a
performance to savour and as an audience
'dansant', they have ably played their
part in a musical event 'de la plus haute qualite…Alan Kelly &
distinguished guests…le verdict du jury Lensois..Le Prix D'honneur!”
Alan has also
been touring with Scots fiddler Johnny
Cunningham and vocalist Susan McKeown. He also featured on Michael
McGoldrick's recent album 'Fused' and
continues to tour regularly with this band, as well as guesting with "Lunasa",
one of Ireland's most popular traditional groups, on their most recent Irish
tour promoting their album 'Otherworld'
“Alan Kelly is the man who made the piano
accordion hip in Ireland again. Mosaic
delivers the goods and promises maximum satisfaction…” Folk Roots
“Kelly's stunning debut places him in
league with the best piano accordionists in the world. Believe the hype.”
Irish Voice, New York
FRANK
KILKELLY (Guitar/Vocals)
Frank
grew up in Castlebar, Co.Mayo, and learned his craft playing in countless
sessions around the west coast of Ireland. From 1986 to 1998 he lived in London,
where he played and recorded with a string of well-respected acoustic groups,
including Zumzeaux and The Kimbara Brothers, as well as regular work with Luke
Daniels, Brendan Power and US dancer Ira Bernstein. From 1995 to 1997, he toured
in Europe and the USA with Irish singer Sean Keane, and also with piano
accordeon player Alan Kelly. Equal passion for Irish traditional music and swing
jazz have led to a guitar style which keeps Frank much in demand. Since moving
back to Ireland in 1998, he has been touring and recording with Christy O'Leary,
Maggie Boyle as well as with Alan.
In May
2000, his new tutor book/CD entitled Accompanying Irish Music on Guitar was
published, and in July, he toured Ireland in a trio with Brendan Power and Gino
Lupari, appearing at the prestigious Galway Arts Festival. He continues to be
very busy in the healthy, varied acoustic music scene in Galway.
DAMIAN
EVANS (Upright Bass)
Born in
Australia, Damian Evans played in the jazz scene in Perth for three years,
performing with, among others, UK born Danny Moss, a regular feature on the
European jazz circuit, and Grammy award winning Lucky Oceans. In 1992 he left to
travel the UK and eventually found himself in Galway, Ireland.
Since
then he has performed and recorded with some of the most respected musicians to
be found, including, Sharon Shannon, Donal Lunny, John Prine, Cathal Hayden and
Alan Kelly with whom he is currently performing.