George O'Brien - Arizona Irish Music Society
Seisiuns (pronounced "sessions") are not simply an opportunity for musicians to get together and "jam." Seisiuns are where musicians learn about the music and in turn pass on what they have learned. Seisiuns are the vital link in the continuation of Irish music and the oral tradition. Arizona seisiuns are thriving.
Reflecting this view of seisiuns is a song called "Pass It On" by Shay Veno of the Clare Voyants. By "passing on" knowledge about songs, how to play certain instruments, and using different rhythms, stories, and wisdom -- seisiun performers are part of a centuries long chain. At the end of that chain is the future of Irish music.
Seisiuns link the Irish cultural past to the future, but they also link Irish musicians through out the world. In a real sense, each seisiun musician is participating in a kind of cultural ritual shared by literally thousands of musicians in the farthest corners of the earth. If you want to know what keeps Irish culture alive, just go to a seisiun.
Visiting musicians frequently drop in such as when several musicians from the Riverdance company sat in on several seisiuns. Another time a song writer for The Eagles sat in. When Arizona musicians travel, often they seek out seisiuns in the cities they are visiting. They are "passing it on."
Are seisiuns only for polished musicians? Not at all. Even the rankest amateur is welcomed and encouraged. There is no obvious distinction between performers and audience. Anyone can pick up some "bones" or "eggs" and play along.
There are weekly seisiuns at the Dubliner Pub and Grill (40th St. and Thunderbird) every Sunday after 9:00 P.M. and the Bandersnatch Brew Pub, 125 E. 5th St. in Tempe every Wednesday after 9:00 P.M.