Live at The Druid presents Séan Gavin & Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, master pipers and master musicians — a powerful duo.
Seán Gavin, is one of the most highly regarded Irish musicians of his generation. Master uilleann piper and flute player, he is the first and only musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal. His latest recording, The Boys of 25, with accordion maestro Colm Gannon “is a superb bit of pure drop music that stands tall on strength of Gavin and Gannon’s musicianship. There are no frills here, just straight traditional music played with extreme class. “ – Daniel Neely/ Irish Echo
He has toured with the groups Bua and Téada, both have gleaned top praise from Irish music critics. Seán was Musical Director for the PBS program “I Am Ireland", and for the long running Atlantic Steps. He has lectured on traditional music at the University of Chicago, St. Andrew's in Scotland, and many other locations. Seán is now back in his native Detroit where he continues to play, teach, and promote traditional Irish music. His latest project is the Irish Music Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that encourages people of all ages to explore the ancestral music and song of Ireland. IMI connects a broad network of players, learners, and enthusiasts worldwide.
Caoimhín Ó Fearghail (Kwee-veen) comes from An Rinn in the Waterford Gaeltacht. He received the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award and was chosen as Best Folk Instrumentalist at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards. His music is greatly influenced by that region as well as diverse players throughout Ireland. With a start on the tin-whistle at the age of eight, he has since mastered uilleann pipes, flute, guitar, and bouzouki, as well as being an accomplished singer and Irish speaker. A frequent teacher and performer, Caoimhín has taught pipes and performed at many piping events, including Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, the William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh, and the Northeast Tionól in the US. He has many albums to his credit, and has toured worldwide with Caladh Nua, Danú, and others.