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Low Lily and John Whelan

Arcata Playhouse

John Whelan & Low Lily: “Crossing the Atlantic” Legendary Irish accordion champion John Whelan teams up with the acoustic Americana band Low Lily for an evening of transatlantic roots music. Exploring the musical traditions of Ireland and America, this diverse and energetic show will showcase the fine talents of these seasoned performers. Alongside energetic uptempo Irish jigs and reels will be traditional American and Irish folk songs, original songs and instrumentals on fiddle, button accordion, guitars, mandolin, double bass and lush, layered vocals. This show brings the generations together for a fresh new take on Roots music from both sides of the pond. Tickets $20 general and $18 students and Playhouse/Folklife members. Available at Wildberries Marketplace, online or call 707-822-1575 to reserve.

Although JOHN WHELAN grew up near London in Dunstable, England, he was raised on the fiddle and pipe music of Ireland. Dunstable has a large Irish community, and his father, Denis, was from Ireland’s County Wexford. “Ours was a very traditional household,” John says. “My father didn’t have any major vices – his only addiction was to Irish music.” Denis Whelan carried a reel-to-reel tape recorder to many shows, collecting hours of live music. Songs of home elicited sentimental tears, even when the words were not in English. “It was not the words but the emotion of the music that moved me”. At the age of 14, already a seasoned winner of numerous accordion championships, John recorded his first album, Pride of Wexford. Named in honor of his father, Pride of Wexford was no passing fancy - the album is still is print and selling steadily. Since his debut album, John has recorded six more albums, and has been featured on numerous compilations. He recorded several albums with Narada Records, has collaborated with such luminaries as Bernadette Peters, Johnny Cunningham, Tim O’Brien, and Kathy Mattea, and his music has been featured in numerous television shows and commercials. He appeared in the major motion pictures Ride with the Devil, The Drowning Plains, and Gods and Generals, and performed live on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Fox After Breakfast. http://johnwhelanmusic.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi1Ou89wakE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-th95wvUT48

The Brattleboro, VT-based band LOW LILY explores the roots and branches of American folk music, creating a unique brand of acoustic music that is rooted yet contemporary. Low Lily is Liz Simmons (vocals, guitar) Flynn Cohen (vocals, guitar, mandolin) and Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals, fiddle). They are all masterful players, composers and arrangers with deep relationships to traditional music styles ranging from bluegrass to Irish, Scottish, New England and Old Time Appalachian sounds. Liz has developed a unique vocal and guitar style that draws from her musical history in the folk and ballad traditions of Ireland, Scotland, England and America as well as contemporary folk music.  She has performed with EVA, Long Time Courting, the John Whelan Band, and others.  Flynn has toured worldwide with numerous notable acts in traditional and contemporary acoustic music, including  John Whelan and Americana singer/songwriter Adrienne Young. Lissa grew up in Maine as an active member of the folk community, graduated from The New England Conservatory of Music and has performed as a solo artist and with Solas and Childsplay, among others. Together as Low Lily, these young but well-seasoned musicians bring their considerable strengths, experience and history together to create an undeniably rich and versatile musical palette. 

“(Low Lily) takes roots music into areas that have not been explored fully and it sounds exceptional and refreshing… (respectful) of another time with modern clarity and restrained power.” –No Depression 

 

DATES/TIMES

WHERE

• Arcata Playhouse

PRICE

• $20
• $18 adv.