Seattle Folklore Society: Master Traditional Irish Fiddler Gerry O' Connor in Concert w/Don Penzien

• Gerry O'Connor, fiddle
• Don Penzien, guitar

The Seattle Folklore Society is pleased to present in concert Irish traditional fiddle master Gerry O’ Connor. Gerry has taught and performed all over the world; at major festivals such as Willie Clancy Week in Ireland, halls, and schools, and with other top Irish musicians such as The Chieftains, Bothy Band, Planxty, and De Danann, along with his own bands La Lugh and Skylark. He recently finished some solo tours to Egypt at the Irish Embassy, special concerts in Sweden, and a stint with the Zingaro Theater show in Paris, plus tours with the Irish Rovers. Accompanying Gerry is guitarist Don Penzien, who has worked with many top Irish musicians also, such as John Whelan, Kevin Doyle, and Haley Richardson.

About Seattle Folklore Society

http://www.seafolklore.org

About Gerry O'Connor, fiddle

Gerry O'Connor is an undeniable fiddle master from Dundalk, Co. Louth, where he grew up in a family of musicians, dancers and singers, all taught at home by his mother, Rose. From an early age Gerry was involved Irish music, winning numerous All Ireland awards in a range of duets, trios, and céilí band titles. Gerry's style is in the form of the fluid, lyrical fiddle-playing of the great Sligo masters, and his love for the music shows in his obvious delight in playing.

Gerry has played and recorded with Lá Lúgh (Eithne Ní Uallacháin, Sony Music) and Skylark (Len Graham, Gary O'Briain, and Máirtín O'Connor), recording four CDs on the Claddagh label. He has toured and recorded with members of all the legendary traditional music ensembles, including Planxty, Bothy Band, De Danann, Boys of the Lough, and The Chieftains. Lá Lugh's album Brighid's Kiss was voted Album of the Year in 1996 by readers of Irish Music magazine, and Gerry's solo CD Journeyman was rated in the top five Albums of 2004 by The Irish Times, and was heralded as a milestone in the recorded music of the Oriel region of South Ulster.

Speaking of his home area, Oriel, Gerry is a four times winner of The Fiddler of Oriel competition, and has lately adjudicated both it and the Gael Linn's Siansa and RAAP /RTE sponsored Breakthrough competitions. He is the Traditional Arts coordinator at the Creative-Connexions Irish/ Catalan Arts festival in Sitges, teaches fiddle at the Willie Clancy Summer School in Ireland, and at master-classes throughout Europe, as well as forays to renowned Swannanoa and other US music camps and festivals.

In 2018 Gerry was awarded "Ceannródaí," the prestigious Bardic Award by Comhaltas for his valued contribution to the Traditional Arts. In the same year he launched his second solo album Last Nights Joy and published The Rose in the Gap Dance Music for Oriel, from the Donnellan Collection. The music had not been heard or performed for a hundred years, and he is obviously proud to be performing pieces from his own home area.

About Don Penzien, guitar

Don Penzien has long been a top-flight performer of Irish traditional music. He frequently is on the road playing concerts and festivals with Gailfean, The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, and Haley Richardson and he has served as accompanist for numerous other well-known performers (e.g., Gerry O’Connor, Randal Bays, Tim Britton, John Williams, Pat Broaders, Gabe Donohue, Ben Jaber, Tony DeMarco, Billy McComiskey, Sean Clohessy, Bridget Fitzgerald, Kevin Doyle). Widely recognized for his reserved backing style, Don’s dexterous work on DADGAD-tuned guitar provides solid, driving rhythms to traditional tunes as well as perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs. Don is a Michigan native with strong roots in Irish culture and an affinity for Irish traditional music. He now resides in NC where he works as Professor at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.