The Oliver Plunkett Sunday 4th October 10.30pm €15
Treelan
Original Irish traditional music, with African, Jazz and World rhythm influences
“Three superb musicians reaching across countries and continents, constructing sonic bridges that aspire towards human sharing. Yet another inspired music experiment in Ireland for the world.”
Míchéal Ó Súilleabháin (Director, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance)
Éamonn Cagney: Percussion
Martin Tourish: Piano Accordion
Niwel Tsumbu: Guitar
Three of Ireland’s top musicians have combined to form a new, groundbreaking and virtuosic trio, Treelan.
The Trio’s sound extends beyond the boundaries of Irish traditional music, with African, Jazz and World rhythm influences. Éamonn, Martin and Niwel are infused by a musical electricity, energy and passion that makes for an incredible live show.
Treelan was recently featured on RTÉ Radio 1’s Arena, Raidió na Gaeltachta and The Journal of Music in Ireland. Sponsored by the Arts Council Deis award in late 2013, the Trio completed an innovative project wherein their composition process was documented online for a week in a series of video blog shot by videographer Colm Walsh (online here: http://eamonncagneytrio.wordpress.com/video-day-1/).
The public response to Treelan’s online blog and subsequent Irish tour has been outstanding, and they are currently recording a new album of original music to be released in the summer of 2014.
Treelan are available for concerts, media opportunities and other live collaborations and are touring.
Éamonn Cagney is a percussionist, composer and performer from Co. Donegal. Playing djembe, conga, bodhrán and a myriad other hand-drums and percussion, his knowledge and talents span many forms of music, and his original compositions reflect influences from Ghana to Gweedore. Éamonn has established himself as one of the premiere musicians in the country, having worked with Conor Linehan (Abbey theatre), Mel Mercier, Julie Feeney, Steve Cooney, Laoise Kelly, Kila, Micheal Buckley, Afel Bocoum, Nana Tsiboe, John Spillane, The Irish Chamber Orchestra, Liam O’Maonlaí, Kate Ellis, Ma Xiaoue (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon OST) and many others.
Éamonn’s debut solo album Convergence came out in 2011, and he directs his own group, Convergence Ensemble.
“Éamonn Cagney is a superb percussionist…and a top-class musician”
Míchéal Ó Súilleabháin (Director, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance)
Niwel Tsumbu is a virtuoso guitar player who moved to Ireland in 2004 from the Democratic Republic of Congo. An exceptional talent who quickly became a prominent face on the Irish scene, Niwell has collaborated extensively with some of the most celebrated names in Irish Music, such as Sinéad O’Connor, Liam O’Maonlaí, Conor Linehan and Dónal Dineen, among others, as well as international stars such as Ma Xiaohui (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack), Senegalese legend Baaba Maal, and Nigel Kennedy. Niwell has released 3 albums to critical acclaim (Nzela Molayi, Song of the Nations, and S’all Vibration), and was funded by Cork City Council Arts Office to write a symphony known as ‘The Big Bang Symphony’ with The Clear Sky Ensemble, an assembled group of musicians from across the world. Niwel is currently working on two operas scheduled for completion later this year.
Martin Tourish is an accordionist, composer, producer and PhD candidate from Co. Donegal He is a current member of Traditional music supergroup Altan. From the success of his debut album, Clan Ranald, Martin is listed in The Rough Guide to Ireland as a piano accordionist of note, while a track from the album appears in The Rough Guide to Irish Folk Vol. 2. In 2008, Martin won TG4’s prestigious ‘Young Musician of the Year’. His compositions are played by, amongst others, Altan and The Chieftains, and his published writing includes articles for The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland. He has presented the Irish music television show Geantraí, performed nationally and internationally for the President of Ireland, and played in venues such as The Royal Albert Hall.