‘Exquisite musicianship’ – Ralph McTell
Songlines ****
The Times *****
RnR *****
BANJO BROTHERS
What do you get when an American bluegrass banjo and an Irish tenor banjo join forces? In the case of Coleraine’s Damien O’Kane and California’s Ron Block… fireworks!
A spectacular sound like nothing you could ever imagine, a union of transatlantic cultures melding two styles and two approaches creating a life affirming, uplifting, truly captivating effect. With two bold, highly acclaimed recent albums to his name the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Album nominated Damien thought it was high time to join forces with a musician he had long admired, Alison Krauss & Union Station banjo star and multi award winner Ron Block (14 Grammy’s and 6 Bluegrass Music awards and that’s just for starters ). Widely regarded as two of the greatest exponents of the banjo they have collaborated to create arguably their own genre, Banjophony, something never heard before…subtle, awe-inspiring, energetic and majestic. They also happen to be highly regarded vocalists in their fields and illuminate that on their most recent release.
With a full band line-up, the banjo maestros are joined on stage by Scotland’s leading ‘Bass Man’ Duncan Lyall on bass and moog and Ireland’s Stevie Byrnes on guitars and stomp.
TOURING
- January & July 2024
- Festivals – Taking interest