News

Celtic Fiddle Festival at the Orcas Center in Eastsound, Washington (Orcas Island) September 17th, 2010.

October 2010 will see Kevin being inducted into the 4th Annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame. Kevin has called Oregon his home for over two decades and is proud to receive this honor. He will be in the company of other musical luminaries such as Rebecca Kilgore, Linda Hornbuckle and Tim Hardin. The Hall of Fame has added a new category this year, and Pink Martini is the first Artist of the Year.

New Release from Loftus Music coming in October!

Three Colours Ginger by Brongaene Griffin
(with Gerry O'Beirne and Kevin Burke)



Brongaene (also known as Bronnie) Griffin is a highly talented fiddle player from Portland, Oregon. Her interest in Irish music began when she was a teenager. Already a very accomplished player of American Old Time and Bluegrass tunes, a chance meeting with Kevin Burke led to Bronnie becoming his fiddle student. Kevin later introduced her to producer/guitarist Gerry O'Beirne and the seeds were planted for this unique and exceptional recording project.

In keeping with the cat "theme" of the album Bronnie is donating part of the proceeds of this recording to benefit various cat rescue organizations. She has been a dedicated animal welfare worker for many years and she even persuaded Kevin Burke to record four "cat poems" in celebration of her feline friends. These readings have been deftly woven into the CD by producer Gerry O'Beirne and engineer Billy Oskay.

"Three Colours Ginger" is a charming collection for both music-lovers and cat-lovers alike.

Seamus Heneghan, Matt Molloy and Kevin enjoying some lively tunes.

Photo taken April 30th, 2010 at the 15th annual Féile Chois in Louisburgh, Co Mayo, Ireland.

Open House Reunion!

(photo by Rebecca Sullivan)

It has been over a decade since Sandy, Mark, Paul and Kevin last performed together but Open House is reuniting this week for some exclusive California concerts. For those who are unfamiliar with the band Open House's repertoire contains music from many different genres - Irish, Blues, Old Time, Balkan, Latin American, Klezmer and more. Sandy Silva's magnificent dancing and foot percussion add an exciting rhythmic and visual presence to the band; Mark Graham has some new hilariously quirky songs to go along with his virtuosity on the harmonica and clarinet; Paul Kotapish skillfully uses his array of fretted instruments to form the rhythmic 'engine' of the band and Kevin Burke contributes his trademark lyrical fiddle playing to round out the group. The members of "Open House" are delighted to have an opportunity to perform again and are looking forward to giving fans and newcomers alike a chance to enjoy the uniquely entertaining facets of this engaging group of musicians. You can find a list of the concert dates here, or go to the Open House Facebook page.

Back in November/December of 2009, Kevin was invited to play in the Annual Christmas Revels Show in Portland, Oregon. The theme for the season was Celtic/Irish, so Kevin's beautiful playing was a special addition to the show. Anyone in or around Portland, Oregon who hasn't been to a Christmas Revels show should check it out. It is always a nice family outing for the holiday season. Credit for these beautiful photos goes to Dale Peterson. Photos courtesy of Portland Revels.

Kevin and Betsy Branch

February 2010

Kevin & Cal present the world premier of "The Irish Session Suite"
Traditional Music from Ireland arranged for String Quartet

Saturday, March 6th, 2010, 7:30pm
The Aladdin Theater
3017 SE Milwaukee, Portland, OR

Irish fiddle virtuoso Kevin Burke and Portland composer and arranger Cal Scott will present the world premier of their new work, "The Irish Session Suite" , in concert at The Aladdin Theater on Saturday, March 6th. The suite is a challenging new musical collaboration melding classical and folk traditions. It will be featured on the duo's forthcoming album, Suite, which will be released nationally on March 16 on Burke's Loftus Music label. Copies of the new CD will be available at the concert.

"The Irish Session Suite" consists of ten traditional tunes arranged in four movements for string quartet. Burke's fiddle will lead through Cal Scott's scored arrangements, accompanied by three of the Northwest's finest musicians - Andrew Ehrlich, violin, Concertmaster of the Portland Chamber Orchestra; Anna Schaum, viola, formerly of the Oregon Symphony; and Justin Kagan, cello, formerly of the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

For more than 30 years Kevin Burke's recordings and performances have reflected his lifelong love affair with the music of Ireland, the diversity of his musical tastes and his refusal to be restricted by what are often seen as insurmountable musical boundaries. "The Irish Session Suite" continues this musical journey by putting traditional tunes into a classical setting in a way that complements both styles and asks neither style to compromise.

Kevin and Cal will also be playing additional pieces from their new CD Suite. The album of original and traditional music also features guest appearances from Beoga, one of Ireland's hottest young bands, and Portland double bassist Dave Captein, who has played with such luminaries as Mose Allison, Wynton Marsalis and Larry Coryell. It will be distributed nationally by Portland's Burnside Distribution Company.

Kevin Burke and Cal Scott are two of Portland's most distinguished traditional-based musicians. The duo's debut album, Across the Black River, was named a top notable world music album of 2007 by the NY Times, calling Burke "one of the great living Celtic fiddlers."