ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY
LEAHY 2008
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Sat,
Feb. 9 Chandler
Center for the Arts $30, $34 & $38 |
Sun,
Feb 10th 888 N. Euclid, Rm. 203 •
Tucson, AZ, 85721-0158 $15, $25, $38 |
Tue,
Feb. 12 Del
Web Center $28
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The following is taken from the announcment by Chandler Center for the Arts
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Leahy is a group of extraordinarily talented brothers and sisters who are returning to the Chandler Center for the Arts to thrill audiences once again with another great evening of Celtic, country and pop music featuring incredible Irish step dancing. LEAHY is a name that defines all that is good about family entertainment at its most sincere and exciting best. When it comes to delivering a never-to-be-forgotten experience, Leahy is a guarantee. "The stage overflowed with energy...they were fresh, vibrant, and engaging..." The Buffalo News |
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The following is taken from the announcment by Chandler Center for the Arts from their previous visit:
"Leahy is composed of nine extraordinarily
talented brothers and sisters who have been performing their entire lives.
At the center of this exceptional group is the
oldest brother, Donnell who is one of the greatest fiddlers on the planet.
Influenced by Celtic, country, classical, and pop music…their mom had
them learning to step dance before they were ten and their father made sure
they all knew how to play a multitude of instruments before the rest of us
finished public school. Their recognition increased with the release of a
student documentary about the family entitled “Leahy: Music Most of
All.” The film won an Academy Award in 1985 for Best Foreign Student
Film. Their debut CD received a total of three Juno Awards – as Best
Country Group, Best Instrumental Group and Best New Group. Leahy has become
Virgin Canada’s largest selling domestic group with their CD reaching
Double Platinum status in Canada. They were catapulted into an international
spotlight when Shania Twain invited the group to join her worldwide tour,
gaining them legions of fans that continuously rewarded the group with standing
ovations, often before their set had even concluded. Leahy is a name that
defines all that is good about family entertainment at its most sincere and
exciting best. When it comes to delivering a never-to-be-forgotten experience,
Leahy is a guarantee."
www.leahymusic.com
"We dare you to define the musical style of Leahy. These nine brothers
and sisters are difficult to pigeon-hole. Call what they do Celtic, folk,
rock, pop, country, classical, or even simply "Canadian," one thing
is for sure: the audiences they play for call them PHENOMENAL!
The Leahys were raised on a farm near Lakefield,
Ontario, Canada, where their roots run deep. Ancestor Michael Leahy arrived
there in 1825 from Ireland and brought with him a rich musical tradition that
was passed down through the generations. Each of the Leahy children learned
to play the fiddle from their father, while their mother (who was born and
raised in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia), taught them how to sing, dance, and play
the piano. The family quickly gained 
popularity
as they travelled across Canada, the United States, and Europe, playing and
developing their own brand of music. This was strengthened by the film Leahy:
Music Most of All which won an Academy Award in 1985 for Best Foreign Student
Film.
In 1997, Leahy burst on the Canadian music scene
with their debut self-titled CD. Not only did this instrumental CD achieve
Platinum status in Canada, it reached No. 4 on the Billboard World Music Charts
in 1998. In addition, Leahy was awarded two Junos in 1997 for Best Instrumental
Group and Best New Group and another Juno in 1998 for Best Country Group or
Duo. The band's classic "black-Irish" look, and fresh, friendly,
energetic personalities didn't hurt them either as they won fans in all age
groups and through all cultures. It was easy to see that Leahy and their brand
of music had an enormous impact on the traditional music scene and its acceptance
by 
mainstream
culture.
Thanks to Leahy's performance at the 1998 Juno Awards in Canada, Canadian music diva Shania Twain was immediately entranced and secured the band as her opening act on her world tour. As well, they appeared in two of Shania's US television specials in 1999. Leahy was catapulted into the eyes of millions of fans who never knew what they were missing until the moment they saw them on stage. For two years they warmed up the crowd for Shania and each time left them standing and crying for more.
"The experiences we had touring with Shania
can't be duplicated," said fiddler Donnell. "We were forced to win
the crowd in just 30 
minutes."
Be that as it may, Leahy received rave reviews without exception. One reviewer gushed: "If opening acts could do encores, Leahy would have been working overtime. An enthusiastic standing ovation (rare for a warm-up act) followed their half-hour set."
During 2000, the band has been composing and recording their second, as yet untitled, CD that is slated for release in June 2001. Compared to the first, their new CD captures the development of Leahy's musical style and creative voice. Most notably, it's not solely instrumental; for the first time in their professional musical careers, Leahy has recorded several vocal tracks. As well, eleven of the tracks are original compositions. In addition to writing the material, Leahy arranged and produced the entire CD.
"Recording this CD has been a challenging
but fulfilling experience," said pianist Erin. "We feel that it
reflects both the origins and evolution of our music which includes vocals,
instrumentals, dancing, and a passion to play. We can't wait to share it with
our audience."
Once again, Leahy is breaking out of the pigeon-hole and blazing their own
path.
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