Celtic Soprano Cathie Ryan Brings Irish Tunes to Keene State
KEENE, N.H., 2/22/10 - Celtic soprano Cathie Ryan and her band will set toes a tapping to an Irish beat during a Wednesday, March 10, concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Alumni Recital Hall of the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond at Keene State College. In addition to this performance, Ryan will conduct a lecture- demonstration on Irish Mythology in Music at 2 p.m. the same day in the same location. The lecture-demonstration is free and open to the public. Tickets to the evening concert range from $24 for adults to $13 for children.
In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, Ryan will perform traditional Irish ballads along with jigs and reels. The program also will include many of Ryan’s original works. She is an accomplished songwriter who has released four CDs that feature her signature blend of Irish American contemporary and traditional song. Her music also reflects the influence of the Irish and American folks songs she learned growing up in Detroit as a child of Irish parents and visiting her grandparents in Ireland.
The Hartford Courant says that one hears the sounds of the old and new worlds in her music. “Cathie Ryan has the soul of a true folksinger and a crystalline voice that turns even simple songs into gems.”
Since her acclaimed seven-year tenure as lead singer of Cherish the Ladies, she has toured with her own band for over 13 years. Ryan’s shows are renowned for their blend of song, story, and the virtuoso playing of her award-winning band that includes three outstanding musicians.
Patsy O’Brien (guitar, banjo, and vocals) is an award-winning songwriter with three critically acclaimed CDs to his credit. He is also fast becoming one of Irish music’s most respected guitar accompanists. His playing moves from driving rhythm to delicate and melodic finger picking.
Matt Mancuso (fiddle, trumpet, octave mandolin, guitar, and vocals), the star fiddle player in Lord of the Dance, is an extraordinary musician whose playing is spirited and exuberant, yet underpinned by deep technical mastery.
Brian Melick (percussion) has a career in world music that spans over 30 years and includes playing with a diverse range of musicians. His mastery of world music rhythms and his exuberant playing keep him in high demand as a percussionist.
For further information about the performance and the lecture-demonstration, call the box office, 603-358-2168, or visit www.keene.edu/racbp, where you can view video clips of Cathie Ryan and other upcoming performances at the Redfern Arts Center.
