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** Tickets onsale 25.03.22 **Sharon Shannon is a musician who likes to surprise. While she is known for
her arrangements of traditional Irish tunes and Irish-influenced compositions,
she has always been eager to explore new styles, and to meet and work with
other musicians. The accordionist from Ireland has achieved legendary status
throughout the world and has made the much-maligned accordion 'cool' in her
home country. Renowned for her collaborations, not just in Irish traditional
music, but through all musical genres, Hip-Hop, Cajun, Country, Reggae,
Classical and Rap.
Sharon has recorded and toured with a who's who of the Irish and Global
Music Industry, including Bono, Adam Clayton, Sinead O’Connor, Jackson
Browne, John Prine, Steve Earle, The RTE Concert Orchestra, The
Chieftains, The Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy, Alison Krauss and
Shane MacGowan - a list that is testament to Sharon's versatility as well as
talent.
While crossing–over into many genres of music, Sharon’s style is uniquely
traditional Irish and she has been hugely influential in promoting Irish music,
not only in her own country, but in the USA where she has collaborated with
John Prine and Steve Earle/ Canada with Natalie Mc Master/ Japan with the
Kodo Drummers/ Malawi with Umoza Children of Mzuzu.
Sharon came from a traditional music household based in the cultural
hinterland of Co Clare- an area steeped in musical tradition. Sharon’s
accordion style is uniquely based on the traditional fiddle playing of Tommy
Peoples. All her musical life she has spent ‘bringing the traditional music of
Ireland to the world’.
She has entertained US Presidents Clinton at the White House and Obama in
Dublin, and Irish Presidents Robinson and MacAleese on presidential visits to
Poland and Australia respectively. She recently accompanied Irish president
Michael D. Higgins on his official tour of China. She has a personal
relationship with the President and performed at his inauguration in Dublin
Castle.
The genre-defying star has achieved multi-platinum album sales and has had
several number chart topping albums, singles and DVDs in her home
country. Her album Galway Girl went 4 times platinum in Ireland with the title
track winning her the Meteor award two years running for the most
downloaded song. She also celebrates being the youngest ever recipient of
the Meteor Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2015, Sharon received an IBAM Award in Chicago for her ‘unique
contribution to Irish Music’ Other recipients were Darina Allen and actor Liam
Neeson.
Sharon’s talents have even made their way into the world of film with her
music featuring in several Hollywood movies and playing a cameo role in the
Neil Jordan movie ‘Ondine’. She also worked on a stage production of JM
Synge’s ‘The Playboy of the Western World,’ directed by Jim Sheridan.
A prolific composer, Sharon continues to defy genres and in 2012 released an
album of original Irish music recorded with the RTE Concert Orchestra called
Flying Circus. This is again a milestone, in that she is the first Irish artiste to
have composed and recorded an album of original and newly composed Irish
traditional music with a full Concert Orchestra.
This release was followed by an intimate, live collaboration with Alan Connor,
In Galway, recorded at O’Connor’s pub. It wasn’t until her 2017 release,
Sacred Earth, did we see Sharon’s truly eccentric genius in this varied
collection of African and Reggae sounds, fused with traditional Irish music.
Sharon’s list of collaborators is as extensive as her musical repertoire. In
2013, Sharon co-wrote an album for the High Kings, she is also a frequent
collaborator with legendary musician Donal Lunny and, in 2018, even
released a collaborative album with Leinster and Ireland rugby star, Robbie
Henshaw. The Secret Sessions was recorded alongside Henshaw and his
family and was released in aid of South Westmeath Hospice.
Sharon regularly performs on tour and at festivals in Ireland, UK, France,
Belgium, Holland, Spain, China, Australia, New Zealand and North America.
In the latter half of 2019, Sharon toured extensively across Japan, Europe and
the UK.
During the lockdown period, Sharon achieved viral status when she received
a Facebook Challenge from Robbie Henshaw to learn a new skill. After five
days of intense practice, the viral ‘Jolly Roger’ Facebook video was born.
Sharon subsequently recorded The Jolly Roger as part of an album The
Reckoning which as released in November 2020.The Reckoning is an
amalgamation of cultures and musical influences to create one of Sharon’s
most unique and original albums to date.
Sharon is a passionate animal lover and does a lot of voluntary work and
fundraising for various animal rescues and is a patron of Madra (Mutts
Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption) based in Co Galway.
Sharon supports many other charities and is an ambassador for Missionvale
Ireland which provides support to relieve poverty and provide education
Missionvale township in south Africa. Sharon released the album, A Thing
Called Love: Songs For Leo, in aid of Galway charity Rosabel’s Room, of
which Sharon is an ambassador.
In recent times, Sharon has expanded her work beyond her music, recording
and uploading Podcasts regularly to her Patreon page to offer fans a deeper
understanding of her music. In conjunction with the NUIG Music Department,
Sharon recorded a masterclass series which is used as part of the NUIG
Music Degree. These will be made available online with new lessons
uploaded on an ongoing basis.
Sharon released a a double live album in July 2021. Recorded in February
2020 and featuring longtime sidemen Jim Murray and Jack Maher on acoustic
guitars and vocals, Live at De Barras showcases the talent and power of the
Sharon Shannon Trio
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bristol Folk House, 40A Park Street,Bristol, United Kingdom