Line-Ups
The Niall Ó Callanáin Band
Máire Breatnach
Niall Ó Callanáin
Bouzoukis
Composer and Arranger
Band Members
Jimmy Faulkner - guitar
Jimmy Faulkner is one of Irelands leading session guitar players and is well known as an accomplished blues and jazz guitarist. He has played with many of Ireland’s most recognised performers including Christy Moore, Paul Brady and Máirtín O’Connor, and has regularly appeared on many best selling albums in many genres of music released over the last few decades. In the 1980’s, he formed and toured with his own Django Reinhardt tribute band Hotfoot.
Kevin Shields - flute / whistles
Although the youngest member of the band, Dundalk flute player Kevin has years of experience as a studio and touring musician. Steeped in the musical tradition of Co. Louth, his ability to improvise has gained him much praise and he is well sought after for recording and session work. He has toured extensively throughout Europe and North America, and has also appeared on many recordings by many traditional, folk, rock and jazz artists.
Mario Ngoma - percussion
Mario Ngoma has been living and working in Ireland since 1988. In his native Angola, he collaborated with artists such as Felipe Mukenka and Waldemar Bastos. During the late 70’s he moved to Portugal where he worked with Carlos Mendes, Paulo de Carvalho, Julio Pereira, Lara Li and Vitorino to name but a few. As well as performing with his own trio called Afrobeat with Mario Bento and Mario Garnacho, Mario was invited to play with the prestigious MB4 while living in Brazil. Since his arrival in Ireland, Mario has played with artists such as Clannad, Tír na nÓg, Antonio Breschi, Balen Lopez de Munain, Máirtín O’Connor, Scullion, Lá Lúgh and Katell Keineg and currently tours with Hazel O’Connor.
Martin Curry - bass / double bass
Martin Curry is a musician with a varied musical background including jazz, blues, dance and folk. He spent eight years with renowned jazz guitarist Louis Stewart, jazz ensemble Ozone and has played with many visiting artists including Larry Willis (ex Blood Sweat & Tears), Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Arnie Lawrence, Spike Robinson and Honor Heffernan. Martin also plays with popular blues bands Raindogs and International Blues Band and recently played in Ronnie Scott’s, London with celebrity Dublin Blues Band and the actor Patrick Bergin.
|
|
|
|
All above photos by Colm Keating
"First night nerves were nowhere to be seen at the inaugural Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival. Niall Toner, Máire Breatnach and Niall Ó Callanáin upped the tempo with two short but intricately woven sets, Breatnach and Ó Callanáin swing shifting through a plethora of original tunes, The Roundabout and The Parallel set of polkas guaranteeing them a rapt attention from their audience." Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford Arms, 27th September 2002. - Irish Times, 05/10/02