News

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."