181 State St
Portland, ME 04101
USA
Will Woodson (flute, uilleann pipes) and Caitlin Finley (fiddle) play sparky and driving traditional Irish music that’s grounded in the textures and rhythms of the rich Irish-American soundscape of the 1920s and 30s. With roots in the living Irish musical cultures of Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, and a tremendous admiration for the first generation of recorded Irish musicians, the duo conjure up the sounds of the dance halls, vaudeville theaters, and house sessions central to Irish-American music from the first half of the twentieth century. Their 2019 debut album, The Glory Reel, recorded with the brilliant Chris “Junior” Stevens on piano and button accordion, is full of swing, lift, and exuberance, drawing largely upon the repertoires of North Connacht and Ulster, regions that have had a significant impact upon the style and repertoire of the duo. The flute playing of John McKenna, the piping of Michael Carney and Patsy Touhey, the music of Donegal fiddle legends John and Mickey Doherty, and of course the foundational 78s of Coleman, Killoran, and Morrison are all at play here; a diverse set of influences that are channeled by the two into punchy, powerful, and joyous music.
Chris “Junior” Stevens – Accordion/Concertina
One of the foremost exponents of the Concertina and Button Accordion in the Irish style, Christian “Junior” Stevens has spent two decades surrounded by the thriving Irish music community in America. He has studied with the legendary Noel Hill, and received a performance degree in Piano from the University of Massachusetts. In 2017, he was named a Master musician by the Maine Arts Commission, receiving an Artist Fellowship. He is a talented performer with a unique style, and has been featured on many recordings and stages from local dance halls to the Library of Congress.
Miles Isacke – Banjo & Guitar
Miles is a product of the Portland, Maine Irish music scene through and through. He came to the music through local Irish sessions. Miles plays with a rhythmic and driving guitar style drawing influence from a range of Traditional Irish players. He is also an accomplished and powerful Tenor Banjo player. He has performed with many excellent traditional music groups, including the Hanz Araki Band and Skipper’s Alley.
Tom Rota – Uilleann Pipes
Tom started playing the Irish pipes over 25 years ago and is still trying to figure it out. His first pipes teacher was Bill Ochs from New York City and he has since had the opportunity to study with some of the finest pipers around. After receiving a Masters in Music from the University of Limerick in 2002, Tom moved back to Maine and formed the long -running and mildly popular Irish traditional group Boghat. A staple of the Portland session scene, Tom can regularly be heard playing around town. Tom currently plays with the Vacationland Ceili Band. Tom plays pipes by Koehler & Quinn and enjoys a fresh pint of Guinness.
Alden Robinson – Fiddle
Alden learned to play the fiddle as a child in coastal Maine. He studied for a while at University College Cork in Ireland. He has toured with Irish trad band The Press Gang and also plays for dances with “Riptide”. In 2017 he served as an Arts Envoy to Lithuania with the State Department. He plays locally for dances, concerts, and sessions and teaches at Maine Fiddle Camp.