SÉAMUS EGAN
SÉAMUS EGAN
The great Séamus Egan, flute, tenor banjo, whistles, mandolin, guitar, pipes, piano, and just about anything else that can be blown, plucked, or otherwise cajoled into making music.
It’s been said that Séamus doesn’t like being introduced as the guy who won four All-Ireland championships in four different instruments by the age of 14, so disregard this piece of information if you like. Child prodigies come and go, and he has far outgrown that moniker in the last 40 years, but it does speak to something essential: he has flawless, seemingly effortless technique, and that is something that takes thousands of hours of dedicated woodshedding, even for someone blessed with natural talent. And yet, there has always been something more to his playing. An energy, an expressiveness, a boldness. Additionally, he has taken each of the instruments he has mastered and created his own particular relationship with them, making the most of their specific qualities. From the fluidity, overtones, and octave slurs of the wooden flute to the percussive nature of the banjo, to the soft round notes of what is perhaps his secret weapon, the nylon-stringed guitar, Egan has forged a musical style that pays homage to traditional mentors like Mick Moloney and Matt Molloy but which uses that foundation as a launch pad for his own musical explorations. Equally at home playing blistering reels, haunting laments, or plaintive melodies, he seems to know exactly how to wring the essence out of a tune, by syncopating the rhythm with just the right ornamentation, or by giving it room to breathe with a split-second pause.
Egan has built an illustrious career as a composer, bandleader, and recording artist that continues to push boundaries and produce new and exciting music. As the driving force behind the group Solas, he assembled an all-star cast of hot young trad musicians and upped the ante for what could be done with a traditional combo. As the band evolved over the ensuing years, Egan and the crew explored new territory, dipping into pop and Americana, composing more original tunes and songs, and bringing in a variety of singers and instrumentalists to expand their vision. After 20 years of being at the forefront of the folk music world, Solas recorded the excellent “All These Years” album, bringing together band members past and present, took a brief anniversary tour, and then announced that they were going on a hiatus.
Not one to sit still, Egan assembled the Séamus Egan Project, teaming up with a loose confederation of younger acoustic instrumentalists, and in 2020 produced the hypnotic “Early Bright”, followed by 2022’s evocative “Good Winter”. Just in time for a 30th anniversary tour, Solas re-formed and are now touring the US and Europe. Their current lineup includes Winifred Horan, John Williams, Alan G Murray, and Nuala Kennedy. While keeping all these plates spinning, Séamus is an avid runner, and still gives the occasional master class for aspiring musicians, something he has done throughout his career. We can all look forward to more great music from Séamus in the future, while savoring his incredible back catalog and appreciating the huge influence he has had keeping Irish music fresh and relevant over the decades.