De Dannan
Frankie Gavin &
The Musical Force of Nature
Without Equal In The World Of Irish Music... When Keith Richards first introduced me to Frankie Gavin’s playing I was quite impressed. I did some research and found out about his history with ‘De Dannan’ which was further impressive. Shortly after meeting him I produced Keith’s ‘Wingless Angels’ album which Frankie guested on and of course later went onto play on ‘The Stones’ ‘Voodoo Lounge’ album and toured with the guys in the US. For me Frankie’s band, ‘De Dannan’ has always been about ensuring the listener is introduced to an exceptionally high caliber performance due to the supremely talented individual members we have come to expect as part of the line up. The fact that the band’s leader is unquestionably the greatest living Irish fiddle player demands that those next to him on stage compliment and augment his incredible artistry. Frankie has been up to the task in seeing that happen. The ‘De Dannan’ line up changed over the years many times and in doing so launched the careers of those who have gone on to have very successful solo careers. I believe I have heard all the different ‘De Dannan’ line-ups since Frankie first formed the band but I can honestly say that the latest offering (now called ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’) is genuinely in a league of its own. I witnessed them on stage in the US recently and they were sensational. They simply blew the auditorium apart and left the audience knowing they had indeed witnessed something very special. They are truly without equal in the world of Irish music. Do yourself a favor and go see them perform live and remember to fasten your seat belt and be prepared for a jaw dropping musical roller-coaster ride as well as an exhilarating musical education.
Rob Fraboni
Rob Fraboni is a California-born record producer and audio engineer well-known for his work with Bob Dylan, The Band, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Tim Hardin, The Beach Boys, Joe Cocker, and Bonnie Raitt, and as Vice President at Island Records where he remastered the entire Bob Marley catalog. He produced the soundtrack on Martin Scorsese’s groundbreaking concert movie, The Last Waltz, which included an all-star cast of famous rock and roll performers. Referred to as a ‘genius’ by Keith Richards in his bestselling autobiography ‘Life’, he is considered one of the most influential recording producers in rock and roll history.
The Symphony...
The Band...
Frankie Gavin Damien Mullane Eric Cunningham Mike Galvin Michelle Lally
Fiddle, Viola, Flutes & Whistles Accordion Bodhrรกn, Snare, Flutes & Whistles Guitar & Bouzouki Vocals
The De Dannan of the 21st Century Frankie Gavin is one of the genuine legends of Irish music and widely regarded as the greatest Irish fiddle player in the world. From his first TV appearance when he was six, to seven solo albums, his adventures in the realms of Jazz, Gospel, and Klezmer, through to appearances and recordings with such luminaries as Earl Scruggs, Stephane Grapelli, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, and the ‘Rolling Stones’, ‘the prince of Irish fiddlers’ is one of the outstanding performers of the past thirty years. Frankie is also the original founding member and band leader of internationally acclaimed traditional super group ‘De Dannan’. For many years ‘De Dannan’ were the forerunners in the Irish traditional music world but after 33 years, 14 albums and a number of changes in the line up, the group disbanded in 2003. The band at that point had been responsible for bringing singers Dolores Keane, Mary Black, Maura O Connell and Tommy Fleming, amongst many others, to international prominence. In August 2009, Frankie Gavin unleashed a new ‘De Dannan’ line up which in his own words “reflects a ‘De Dannan’ of the 21st century”. The current ‘De Dannan’ ensemble (now known as ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’) is led by Frankie Gavin on fiddle, flutes & whistles with Damien Mullane on accordion, Eric Cunningham on percussion, flutes & whistles, Mike Galvin on bouzouki & guitars and Michelle Lally on vocals. In establishing the new ‘De Dannan’ in 2009, Frankie has assembled a group of fiercely talented performers, a group that can only be described as one of the world’s finest Irish traditional bands.‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’ have performed everywhere from ‘The White House’ & ‘US Capitol Building’ to ‘Beijing Opera House’, and in addition has performed with a long list of musical luminaries which includes ‘The Rolling Stones’. The band has also performed for a whole host of dignitaries which includes US Presidents Bush, Clinton & Obama. A new album featuring the most recent ‘De Dannan’ line up, entitled ‘Jigs, Reels & Rock ‘n’ Roll’, which includes a guest appearance by Ronnie Wood of the ‘Rolling Stones’ was released at the end of 2010. Frankie Gavin entered the ‘Guinness World Records’ as the ‘fastest fiddle player in the world’ on the day of the album launch. ‘Electrifying’ is an adjective that’s too often used to describe certain performances but this is one instance where it’s absolutely unavoidable. If you’ve never been lucky enough to see ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’ perform live, prepare to be... shocked.
Frankie Gavin & De Dannan are the jewel in the crown, and as the musicians hit top gear some of the fast reels in particular are mesmerizing. Carl Dixon, The Irish Examiner August 2009
The VIP Fans...
US President Barack Obama, Taoiseach Brian Cowen (Irish Prime Minister), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (US House of Representatives) with ‘Frankie Gavin and De Dannan’.
The Band with Mary Robinson (President of Ireland) & Loretta Brennan Glucksman (Chairman of the American Ireland Fund).
The Band with Joe Biden (US Vice President), Martin McGuinness (Deputy first Minister Northern Island Assembly) & Gerry Adams (President Sinn Féin).
President George W Bush with Frankie Gavin, Eric Cunningham & Joe Fallon after a performance at ‘The White House’.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco following a band performance in Monaco.
Rehears
CU
INE
M
OOM
RIC
EN E
TWE
BE IGHT
OF S
LO B BOX
MIC
OOM
RT B
CL IC -
M
D BY
PLIE
UP IC S
*M
TED SEA
HEN
W IKE
&M
HAIR
OX
O - SH
DI B
IN &
AV IE G
NK
FRA
B
S2 BAS
TR
MIX 5 MIKE GALVIN
ITOR
N IP O
1 ASS
BARRY BRADY
MON
M
NG B
LO IC -
MIX 4
EN TWE ED T BE AT SIGH HEN SE F O INE RRY W A AR L CLE KIE & B N FRA
HA
G IN
NN
LY
LAL
VIN GA
SN
IC
ER
1
M57
MIC
AR L
X
HI S
LE HEL
CLE
MI
3
MIX
T
LEF
AC G
E PAR LE S LE FIDD
BOD
BOD
8 TA 9
DS
E KI
AN
FR
*
FIDD
58 X SM F VO
57A 2A
NB HRÁ
N B5
HRÁ
X2
MI
X M VO 105 KMS
TR
S, S
LES
ARM
A
T
RIGH
58
E TAG
UP S
X SM
ON
*
S X5
HAIR
ED C
ACK
T-B AIGH
BE ARE
: SION STLA VER INE
BOX
011
PT 2
SE 089 LAN OM/22069 GE P VIMEO.C
VIOL
JR?
E TAG
UP S
57A
als...
E VO
ocke d h s o h w s Gues
M 498 2270 OM E (0)87 N.C +353 DANNA @DE
ERIC
AN
ANN
DE D
C
ay 4-W r Strip e Pow
Ronnie Woo d
The Moment...
in the stud io
Miss Worl d ...A Mo d el Fan
The Festival...
I invited ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’ to play ‘Austin Celtic Festival’ this year and in short... they were sensational. They were the talking point of the festival and indeed gave one of the most memorable performances seen here over the past 15 years. I would entice anyone to see this band live and indeed I know if you have them play your event audience members will be amazed. Donnelle McKaskle, Festival Director - Austin Celtic Festival 2011
Bobbio Festival, Italy, 2011
Cambridge Folk Festival, U.K., 2011
Celebrate Brooklyn, New York, 2011
Shanghai Arts Festival, China, 2010
Celtic Connections, Glasgow U.K., 2010
The Metropolitan Club, NYC
A venue where ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’ have played on numerous occasions for corporate events.
The Corporate Event... US Ambassador’s Residence, Dublin, 2009
U.S. Capitol Building, St.Patrick’s Day, 2010
Dancers performing with the band
The Joy of Christmas Tour...
The Up Close & Personal Tour...
The Reward... Frankie is just fantastique.
Stephane Grappelli
Frankie is an extraordinary violinist.
Sir Yehudi Menuhin
Rightly heralded as the greatest irish fiddle player, Frankie Gavin has nothing left to prove... Gavin is a true fiddle-playing genius, one who continues to inspire and dumbfound in equal measure. The Scotsman
Frankie with President James J. Browne on the occasion of he being awarded an honorary Masters in Music from the National University of Ireland, Galway
Any ensemble featuring Gavin ensures itself of excellence on fiddle... Gavin’s bowing often relies on an intense economy, with tight strokes, accents, and other embellishments yielding a powerful, protean mix of tone, detail, and imagination. His instinct for macro- and micro-improvisation is exceptional, especially when he darts from the melody and then nimbly nestles back in again after a vertiginous flight of fancy. Even when velocity occasionally overwhelms his playing, Gavin’s skill is undeniable and inescapable. Earle Hitchner, Irish Echo 2010
The Album... 1. Wild Irishmen 2. Heartbreak Pier 3. Gasoline Alley 4. Here Comes The Sun 5. If You Love Me 6. The Diamond Collection 7. High On A Mountain 8. G Minor Reel 9. Blusey Jigs 10. Summer of My Dreams 11. Polkas 12. Coleman Meets Killoran 13. Down The Moor 14. Planet Ireland 15. Damo’s Waltz
Album Launch in Shanghai, China 2010
The Autographs...
The Credits... BAND
PHOTOGRAPHY
TRANSPORT (USA)
Frankie Gavin - Fiddle/Viola/Flute/Piano Eric Cunningham - Bodhrán/Percussion/ Flutes/Whistles/Piano Damien Mullane - Accordion Mike Galvin - Guitar/Bouzouki/Piano Michelle Lally - Vocals
Michael Nestor Colm Hogan Mike Bunn Fanny Peters Mick Langan Claudio Florio Brian O’ Droma
Custom Coach & Limo Inc
CONDUCTORS FOR SYMPHONY TOUR
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Derek Gleeson Colman Pearse
Michael Nestor Design associates Kelly Design & Print
INSTRUMENTS Frankie Gavin plays a fiddle made by Dexter Fiddles Eric Cunningham plays bodhráns & tippers by Rolf Wagels & Christian Hedwitschak & flutes by Chris Dawson
HAIR STYLING Pat O’Neill
PRODUCTION Michael Nestor - FOH Audio Engineer Mick Murray - Lighting Engineer Alan Whelan - Production Manager Dan’O Callaghan - Stage Manager Martin Murray - Sound Technician Mikey Galvin - Instrument Technician Clara Annalisa - Merchandise Manager Ray Nash - Tour Manager
The Contact Details... MANAGEMENT (Worldwide)
BOOKING AGENTS (USA)
STAY IN TOUCH
Eric Cunningham eric@dedannan.com
CMI Entertainment (PACs & Festivals) mitchell969@aol.com
Facebook.com/FrankieGavinAndDeDannan Twitter.com - @DeDannan
William Reinert (Symphony)
BOOKING AGENTS (Worldwide) Frontline Talent Agency alan@frontlinetalentagency.com
The Sponsors...
bill@williamreinert.com
DeDannan.com
www.