Fri. Mar 31

8:00 P.M.

Northern Arizona University
Cline Library Auditorium
Flagstaff AZ 86011
928-600-1365
928-523-5661
Press Release

Sat Apr 1

6:00 P.M.

Hassayampa Inn
122 E Gurley St
Prescott AZ 86301
928-771-1218
lizndavidmcnabb@aol.com

Sun. Apr 2

7:30 P.M.

Berger Center
1200 W. Speedway (1/2 mile W. of I-10)
Tucson AZ 85745
800-594-8499
Press Release
www.rhythmandroots.org

Since its birth in 1996, Solas has been loudly proclaimed the most popular, influential, and exciting Celtic band ever to emerge from the United States--the first truly great Irish-American band. The Philadelphia Inquirer said they make mind-blowing Irish folk music, maybe the world's best. The New York Times praised their unbridled vitality. And the Austin American-Statesman called them the standard by which contemporary Celtic groups are judged. The band interprets a wide range of original, traditional and contemporary material in surprising ways. Songs by contemporary artists--Dylan, Waits, Drake--are given a Celtic tinge, making explicit their connections with the deep, ultimately Celtic roots of American music.

The Solas sound today is anchored by founders All Ireland fiddle champion Winifred Horan and Seamus Egan, who plays flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, whistle, guitar and bodhran. Seamus is an All-Ireland Champion on 4 of these instruments! They are two of the most respected musicians anywhere in acoustic music. Mick McAuley from Kilkenny plays accordion and concertina; Eamon McElholm from Tyrone plays guitar and keyboards. Deirdre Scanlan is the band's latest vocal discovery, gorgeously filling the role carved out by founding vocalist Karan Casey.

The following is taken from the Solas Web Site: www.solasmusic.com

SEAMUS EGAN ( flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, tin wistle, low whistle, guitars, bodhran)
born in hatboro, Pa., and raised for a time in Foxford, Mayo, seamus has released three acclaimed solo albums for Shanachie; 1985's Traditional Music of Ireland; 1990's A Week in January; and 1996's When Juniper Sleeps. He also performed on a soundtrack tied to the 1995 Oscar winning movie Dead Man Walking and more recently wrote a "crisply pulsative score," said Billboard Editor-in-Chief Timothy White, for the Irish stage show Dancing on Dangerous Ground.

WINIFRED HORAN (fiddle)
A violin graduate of boston's prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, this native New Yorker previously toured and recorded with Cherish the Ladies and The Sharon Shannon Band. A nine-time Irish stepdancing titlist, and an All-Ireland fiddle champion, Winifred has made guest appearances on many albums including: Richard Shindell, Patty Larkin, Seamus Egan, Pierce Turner, Karan Casey, Liz Carroll, Sharon Shannon, Mick McAuley,Eileen Ivers and Cathy Ryan to name just a few. Her eagerly awaited solo album titled "Just One Wish" was released on Shanachie Records in October of 2002 to much critical acclaim.The album appeared on many top ten lists including the Boston Globe, the Irish Times, the Irish Echo and PhiladelphiaWeekly. Winifred also recorded and released another album this year titled "Winifred Horan and Friends" for the Cracker Barrel chain. (to read reviews on these albums, check our review page.)

MICK McAULEY ( button accordion, concertina, piano accordiaon, low whistle, backing vocal)
From Callan, Kilkenny, Mick started on the button accordion at age nine, rapidly becoming a virtuoso on it and other instruments. Among the many musicians he has recorded or performed with are Ron Havana, Niamey Parsons, and Karan Casey.

DEIRDRE SCANLAN (lead vocals)
Just before joining Solas in 1999, Deirdre released her solo debut, Speak Softly, which attracted widespread praise in Ireland. A native of Nenagh, Tipperary, she also appeared on a recording by Nenagh Singers Circle and played fiddle with the Paddy O'Brien Ormond Ceili Band in her home county.

EAMON McELHOLM (guitars, vocals, keyboards)
Eamon was born and raised in County Tyrone in the North of Ireland. He was brought up playing all types of music from Irish traditional to rock and classical and so when it came to writing his own material he had plenty of influences in the melting pot. For the last number of years he has been heavily involved with well-known Irish band 'Stockton's Wing' as singer, songwriter and guitarist. More recently he has worked throughout America and Europe with people like Cathal Hayden, Dezi Donnelly and Mike McGoldrick. Playing a mixture of instrumental roots music alongside his own original songs.

A few years ago Eamon was awarded the Performing Rights Society/ John Lennon Songwriters Award, at the time he was a student in Manchester, England. He graduated with a first class honours degree in Popular Music and Recording from University College Salford. The course was one of the first of its type in Europe and employed people like Bill Leader, and George Martin "The fifth Beatle" as lecturers.

As well as writing songs, Eamon has written numerous instrumental pieces that have been recorded by many Irish groups and artists. He plays guitar, piano and cello and frequently appears on other artists' albums. He has toured extensively throughout the world performing in music venues and concert halls.