Concerts In Hartford CT

Celtic Airs concert series: Spring, Summer, Fall 2008

Venues: W = Wilde Aud., M= Millard Aud., both at Univ.of Hartford.

Doors open at 7:00PM, concerts start at 7:30PM

3/8/08 Dervish (M) World’s #1 Irish traditional band. “Simply a brilliant and uncluttered testimonial to musical imagination and talent.” (The Irish Times)

4/11/08 Munnelly/ Flaherty/Masure (W) “Munnelly’s accordion playing is magical.” (Living Tradition) “Helen Flaherty is a natural performer who has captured hearts around the world.” (Q Magazine) “Philip Masure is one of the most sought after guitarists on the Celtic scene.” (The Irish Post)

5/16/08 North Sea Gas (W) Scottish vocal trio making their 2^nd Celtic Airs appearance. “Their vocal harmonies are rich and melodic. Their creative use of instruments is inspiring. First class musicianship!” (Mairi Anderson, Edinburgh Folk Festival)

7/19/08 Slide (W) Irish quintet, 3 strong albums to their credit. “Slide is the future of Irish music.” (Radio 1 , Ireland) “Youthful swagger with traditional expertise.” (John O’Regan, Folk Roots Magazine)

8/15/08 Tannahill Weavers (W) With the Battlefield Band & Silly Wizard, they forged the Scottish traditional music revival. “The band’s potent mixture of traditional ballads and fiery instrumentals leaves their audiences spellbound.” (Irish American News)

9/20/08 Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies (W) England’s acclaimed folk songwriter and a great band! Fan favourites; is there anyone who DOESN’T enjoy them?? “Jez Lowe writes the greatest contemporary folk songs since Richard Thompson.” (Boston Globe)

10/10/08 Malinky (W) Scottish quintet with “Magnificent vocal talent.” (Scotland On Sunday) I’ve waited 3 years to present this band who are “Absolutely fabulous.” (Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2)

11/14/08 Gan Bua (W) A Chicago based quintet that includes FOUR All Ireland champs! I discovered them in Irish Music Magazine who called them “A superb band that keeps the music moving down the path of tradition.” One listen to their live CD and I HAD to sign them up!

Want tickets?? They go on sale 2 months before the concert date, ONLY through the University of Hartford Box Office, open M-F, 10AM-6PM. Call 1-800-274-8587 or

1-860-768-4228. Purchase on line at hartford.edu/hartt

Thank you for your continued support of WWUH Radio AND these wonderful artists!!

See you at the next concert.

Tickets go on sale two months before the concerts and are only available through the University of Hartford Box Office. They’re open Monday – Friday, 10:00AM – 6:00PM. Call 1-800-274-8587 or 1-860-768-4228. On line purchases can be made at any time via www.hartford.edu/hartt.

All shows are in Wilde Auditorium at the Univ. of Hartford.
All shows will start at 7:30 PM

Steve's WWUH Program Guides: JAN-FEB 2008

Well, it’s hard for me to believe it’s already 2008!! I’ve been a WWUH volunteer for fifteen years now and in my fourteen years of hosting Celtic Airs, have broadcast more than 700 programs! That may seem like a long time, but believe it or not, there are a significant number of WWUH volunteers who’ve been around longer and have broadcast far more programs than I have. We have a VERY dedicated team here!

The Celtic Airs/ WWUH Concert Series is well into it’s 13^th year and will present concert #118 on January 11^th, 2008 when Pipeline return to the University of Hartford’s Wilde Auditorium. This duet is composed of Dermot Hyde (uillean pipes, whistles, small pipes and vocals) and Tom Hake (guitar, bouzouki, Celtic harp). Both members worked in live theater for years before they met…….. in a theater performance. Their theater experience is obvious in their stage presence and style. “They combine frighteningly beautiful music with and unrivalled and original sense of entertainment.” Audiences are treated to “a mesmerizing collage of sound interspersed with a witty and informative stage patter.”

Both men are gifted multi-instrumentalists, a talent which allows for a highly varied presentation of music influenced by the seven Celtic nations. Dermot is also blessed with a song writing talent and “writes some of the best traditional songs heard in Celtic music today.” His compositions generally make up a portion of a Pipeline set list. Tom Hake loves to provide background information on their selections for the evening as well as “tantalizing string accompaniment to Hyde’s melodies.”

Start your 2008 concert experience with a lovely night of music provided by Pipeline on January 11^th at 7:30PM in the Wilde Auditorium.

On November 4^th, 1994, the second Celtic Airs concert featured an unknown quartet form Scotland called The Old Blind Dogs. On a memorable night, they enthralled a sell out audience. Now in their 15^th year, and through multiple personnel changes, they remain a major force in the Scottish neo-traditional music scene. A return appearance is planned for Saturday February 9^th in the Wilde Auditorium.

The Old Blind Dogs began life as a quartet but performed as a quintet much of their professional lives. They’ve now reverted to the quartet format and feel they’re better for the streamlining.

Only Jonny Hardie (fiddle, guitar, vocals) remains form the original group. He’s now joined by 2005 Scots Traditional Instrumentalist of the year Aaron Jones (guitar bouzouki, bass and vocals) and highly acclaimed piper Rory Campbell (border pipes, whistle, vocals). Keeping with the Old Blind Dogs tradition of “alternative percussion”, Fraser Stone brings his African-based percussion talents to the current ensemble.

When Jim Malcolm departed, the remaining members decided to share the singing duties with admirable success as witnessed by their latest studio release, “Four On the Floor” released in 2007. With no front man to rely on, the harmonies have taken on a new verve.

The Dogs have always been known for their impassioned live shows regardless of who was in the line up at the time. Hardie says “We work hard on stage. Perhaps we err on the side of being too frenetic!! We don’t pace ourselves, we just go for it.” That’s the attitude that endears them to long time fans AND first- timers!

Don’t miss Old Blind Dogs in the comfortable confines of the Wilde Auditorium on Saturday February 9^th, 2008 at 7:30PM. Tickets for all WWUH/Celtic Airs Concerts

are sold exclusively by the University of Hartford box office, open Monday to Friday 10:00 AM til 6:00 PM. You can call them at 1-800-274-8587 or 1-860-768-4228. On line shoppers can use the secure website at www.hartford.edu/hartt.

Celtic Airs continues to be broadcast Tuesdays 6-9 AM on WWUH, 91.3 FM. I hope I can count on you to be among my listeners each week and look forward to meeting you in person at one of our concerts, scheduled monthly throughout 2008.

December 2007

You frequently hear WWUH show hosts say that “we are a listener supported, volunteer staffed radio station.” Our staff does it’s volunteer work 24/7, 365 days a year. Our listeners get two opportunities a year to do their thing, our spring and fall fundraisers.

Once again, you came through during this October’s fall fund drive! During the fall fundraiser, we look to sign up new listeners who have discovered WWUH some time after the “Spring Marathon.” We also hope to get the attention of established listeners who somehow missed their opportunity to donate to WWUH in the spring

Fortunately for us, many of you who made a donation last spring are dying to show your commitment to WWUH and your favorite DJ by making a pledge in the fall as well. Our hats are off to you “two-timers”; you insure our continued success.

The Celtic Airs/ WWUH concert series takes a brief hiatus in November as we catch our breath and prepare to plunge into the holiday season. On December 16^th, we’ll present the 2007 version of our always popular holiday shows, this year featuring Ireland’s Grada.

Our earliest holiday shows featured Susan McKeown, Aiden Brennan and the late, great Johnny Cunningham. This trio appeared three consecutive years and set a high standard for the years to come. Last year’s concert featuring Teada was a sellout success; I expect nothing less for 2007!

This year’s show will begin at 7:00 PM, thirty minutes earlier than usual because it’s a Sunday. We encourage you to bring children “of an appropriate age” who you think would enjoy this evening of music, song, storytelling and dance.

The Grada Holiday tour has been a smashing success for the past three years, playing to sell out crowds in large venues all over Europe. The usual quintet is joined by Matt Mancuzo on fiddle and trumpet, percussionist Dave Hingerty and sensational young dancer Nick Gareiss. Additional special guests may crop up in various cities on the tour and talented local dancers are invited to join the troupe as well.

At just 20 years of age, dancer Nick Gareiss has emerged as one of America’s brightest dance prospects! Drummer Dave Hingerty is something of a celebrity back home in Ireland. Matt Mancuzo is an All Ireland fiddle champion from New York City who went on to study trumpet at Boston’s Berkeley School of Music.

The Grada line up remains intact since the last time we saw them. The playing of lead soloist Alan Doherty on flute presents an instantly recognizable part of the “Grada Sound.” Doherty, who is also quite the comedian, will be our MC for the evening. Colin Farrell returns on fiddle and whistles. Galway’s Nicola Joyce is the band’s lead singer whose talents also include dancing and playing fiddle, whistle, and bodhran. The boisterous rhythm section is composed of fellow New Zealanders Gerry Paul (guitars) and Andrew Laking (double bass.)

Seasonally themed numbers that encourage audience participation promise to keep us all involved in the night’s entertainment. Festive hats are recommended garb for the evening!! (per Grada’s request.)

The concert schedule for 2008 is already shaping up nicely with the following acts already committed to shows here at the University of Hartford: January- Pipeline, February- Old Blind Dogs, March – Dervish, April- David Munnely trio, May- John Doyle/Liz Carroll (tentative), June- Teada (tentative), August- Slide (tentative), September- Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies and October- Malinky (tentative.)

I sincerely hope you will continue to support and enjoy the concert series. Introducing new friends and family members to the delights of live Celtic music will certainly help to perpetuate the success of the series and the excellent reputation we’ve developed over the years among traditional musicians in Ireland and Scotland. You should be duly proud of the impression you’ve made on these world travelers over the past twelve years!

Please tune into Celtic Airs Tuesdays 6:00-9:00 AM on WWUH radio, 91.3 FM or streaming live at wwuh.org. I look forward to entertaining and informing you each week!

SEPT-OCT 2007

In September, the concert series will bring you something old and something new (but nothing borrowed and nothing blue!)

We’ll start out with the old on September 8^th when Lunasa will appear in the Millard Auditorium (reserved seating). This band takes it’s name from the ancient Celtic harvest festival honoring Lugh, the patron saint of the arts.

Well known Irish music critic Earle Hitchner says “Lunasa has managed to achieve an elusive goal for any Irish traditional band: and identifiable trademark sound.” He goes on to say that Lunasa is the most inventive and exciting instrumental band in the Irish tradition today.

The Lunasa sound is based on a melody line provided by the combination of uillean pipes, fiddle and flute with the distinctive rhythm underpinnings provided by the upright bass and percussive guitar style.

If you’re unfamiliar with Lunasa, allow me to provide a brief history. The band began in 1996 as a trio comprising fiddler Sean Smyth, guitarist Donogh Hennessy and Trevor Hutchinson on upright bass. After a successful tour of Scandinavia, they returned to Ireland and added John McSherry and Michael McGoldrick on flutes, whistles and pipes. To support a 1997 tour of Australia, Kevin Crawford was recruited to substitute for McSherry and/or McGoldrick who were often busy with other bands. This ensemble recorded the band’s first, eponymously named CD in late 1997. By 2000, McSherry and McGoldrick had departed and were replaced by Cillian Vallely of the well known Aramgh musical family. This revamped group recorded the bands 3^rd CD “The Merry Sisters of Fate” in 2001 (preceded by “Otherworld” in 1999), followed by “Redwood” in 2003 and “The Kinnity Sessions” in 2004. Founding member Donogh Hennessy left in 2006 and was ably replaced by Paul Meehan. This current line up recorded the bands most recent CD “Se:” in 2006.

Hopefully that brief description brings you “up to snuff” on Lunasa. Please note: I think the very best way for you to become familiar with the band is to see them in person September 8^th, 2007 at 7:30 in the Millard Auditorium.

As I said in a recent issue of the Program Guide, one of my greatest joys is presenting NEW, TALENTED bands to you. Remember, almost all the bands presented in the Celtic Airs concert series were new/unknown the first time they appeared here. The most recent examples were Bodega (7/6/07) and Cara (8/10/07).

The next newcomers I expect to impress and entertain you are Give Way, our guests on 9/21/07. This young band comprises the four very talented Johnson sisters from Scotland. I believe their musical skills and versatility and heir youthful energy will propel them to international renown.

Each of the girls began playing music around the age of five, and the family band first performed together in 1998. They were acclaimed after performing in Scotland’s prestigious Celtic Connections Festival in 2002. Their success in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk competition convinced Ian Green, of the well known Scottish traditional label Greentrax, to bring out their first album “Full Steam Ahead” in 2003. By 2005, they were ready to produce a very successful second album entitled “Inspired.”

This family band is composed of Fiona (21) on fiddle, whistle, guitar and vocals, Kristy (20) on accordion, keyboards and vocals and the twins Mairi & Amy (18). Mairi plays piano and bass and is an accomplished vocalist. Amy began her musical career on accordion but now devotes herself to drums and percussion. She too is a talented vocalist.

Folk Roots Magazine says a Give Way concert “is jolly good fun, hugely infectious. Their exquisite harmonies and bold tunes will put a smile on your face and stay in your head long after you’ve returned home.” I encourage you to come out to see Give Way on September 21, 2007 at 7:30pm in the Wilde Auditorium and see if that’s how they affect you as well!

Our October offering will combine the old and the new all in one evening of great music. We’re proud to bring back Julee Glaub and Jerry O’Sullivan joined by “newby” Mark Weems on October 26^th at 7:30pm in the Wilde Auditorium.

Julee was born in North Carolina. After graduating from Wake Forest, she spent seven years in Ireland absorbing traditional ballads from older singers and the Traditional Music Archives in Dublin. On her return to the USA, she came to New England to be closer to the heartbeat of Irish music in America and settled in CT , halfway between Boston and New York City. While living in Canton for seven years, she released her first solo CD “Fields Faraway” in 2001. About the time she returned to North Carolina in 2004, she released her second album “Blue Waltz”.

Once more a North Carolina resident, she joined forces with Marks Weems, a talented singer who plays guitar, fiddle, banjo and piano as well. They perform as a duet called Little Windows whose set list often includes Appalachian, Irish, and Old Time music. Their singing in tight harmony is “almost like hearing two voices coming from one person” according to one reviewer. I suspect the concert here will focus on Irish material to accommodate the considerable talents of the evening’s third musician, Jerry O’Sullivan on uillean pipes and whistles.

Jerry was born in New York City to Irish parents and began his performing career on Scottish Highland pipes. A few summers later, during one of the family’s annual summer visits to Ireland, he took up the uillean pipes. He perfected his skills on this difficult instrument with expert players in Ireland and New York City. By now he’s appeared on more than 90 albums with diverse artists and has toured extensively in the US and Europe.

Julee tells me she’s looking forward to meeting lots of old friends and introducing you to her new and old musical accomplices when this talented trio appears in the Wilde Auditorium on October 26^th at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the WWUH concert series go on sale 2 months before the date of the event and are only available from the University of Hartford box office, open Monday-Friday 10am-6pm. Call 1-800-274-8587 or 1-860-768-4228. Online purchases can be made anytime at www.hartford.edu/hartt .

I hope you’re tuning in to Celtic Airs every Tuesday from 6-9am and clueing your friends and family into doing so as well. See you at the concerts!

Steve Dieterich