Music Around the World Travels to Ireland

By gilewitz on Wed, 08/19/2009 - 3:49pm

As if there wasn't enough great music in Europe, America, and New Zealand, how could one possibly leave out Ireland - where it sometimes seems that music was practically invented on this Emerald Isle. (And also, most of the jokes you might have heard or tried to tell them!)

During my travels I have been more than fortunate to share my music around the world, as well as absorb the musical cultures of our world's lands. I have always felt there is an indigenous blood-line of music that runs through so many regions - the music of Spain, blues and roots music of the Delta, the classical and baroque periods from Europe, and without a doubt - the music and luck of the Irish!

During my 5th tour of Ireland and second invite to the Clonakilty International Guitar Festival in 2008, I was once again absorbed into their open-arm attitude to the International music scene and bared witness to some truly extraordinary musicians while having an opportunity to share my craft and performance as a part of the mix.

From the impromptu pub sessions, sharing a meal with an amazing pipa lute soloist Liu Fang (www.philmultic.com) and her manager, Risheng Wang, hearing pickers from near and far -- S. Africa (Guy Buttery), Australia (Lucky Oceans), France (Pierre Bensusan), and Ireland (Gavin Moore) to name a few -- I can never forget the fantastic castle visits and shore-line excursions that make touring this beautiful land a magical memory. Looking forward to the 2009 festival.