John McSherry & The Soma Band
JOHN McSHERRY & THE SOMA BAND – Ireland
John McSherry, the outstanding and internationally celebrated uillean piper and whistle player, has released his new album Soma. From now on he will be touring as John McSherry & The Soma Band. The Band can vary in size from two to four other musicians thus offering promoters a choce between a trio, a quartet and a quintet, but always showcasing John’s extraordinary talents.
John Mc Sherry is hailed as one of the finest exponents of the art of uilleann piping in the world today – ‘a true master’ – Irish Music Magazine . He has taken piping and whistle playing to new heights with his unique style. Winner of two All Ireland Championships and the prestigious ‘Oireachtas’ piping competition, he has toured the world as both a solo performer and a member of several outstanding bands – Tamalin, Lunasa and Coolfin. He is a composer, producer, arranger and established studio session musician of world class renown, recording and performing with everybody from Clannad and Donal Lunny to Nancy Griffiths and The Corrs.
With him in The Soma Band will always be the son of the celebrated fiddler Gerry O’Connor and renowned singer Eithne Ni Uallachain, Donal O’Connor. Donal has inherited a musical legacy of at least five generations of fiddle playing and countless generations of traditional singing. Donal’s playing was described recently by the press as ’immaculate’, ‘electrifying’ and ‘…born out of naked talent and consummate professionalism…’-The Irish Times. He has toured Europe and the USA extensively from a young age as both a lead and backing instrumentalist with a number of bands including La Lugh, amongst others.
The trio will also include one of three fine guitarists, Tony Byrne, Donogh Hennesy, or Michael McCague.
For the quartet, John will add Francis McIlduff on bodhran, and the five piece will add keyboards to the mix.
John McSherry & The Soma Band will always feature virtuosic uilleann piping, whistle playing and fiddle, combined with dynamic guitar. Adding bodhran playing, and in the quintet sensitive keyboard accompaniment, will enrich the sonic landscape. In all the combinations, the music is bound to capture the imagination of all who listen. The pedigree of each individual musician is outstanding, their experience and sheer mastery of the music evident for all to see but it is when their considerable talents are combined, that you can expect the unexpected.
Upcoming Gigs
No gigs booked at the moment.