www.dedannan.com

For many years ‘De Dannan’ were the forerunners in the Irish traditional music world but after 33 years, 14 albums and a number of changes in the line up, the group disbanded in 2003. In August 2009, Frankie Gavin unleashed a new ‘De Dannan’ line up and after much acclaim following the band’s live performances, on September 23rd ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’ will release its long awaited new album entitled ‘Jigs, Reels & Rock ‘n’ Roll’. The World Launch of the new album, which will take place at The Quays Music Hall in Galway city, will also coincide with Frankie Gavin’s attempt to enter the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ on the same day (Arthur’s Day) as the ‘Fastest Fiddle Payer in the World’. The album will also be launched internationally at performances at the ‘World Expo’ in China and at the ‘Shanghai Arts Festival’ on September 25th & 26th respectively. Other engagements within the period include an album launch in Monaco, a performance for Price Albert and a performance for former US President Bill Clinton in Dublin. A 32 county ‘Up Close & Personal’ tour of the Island of Ireland is also planned to coincide with the album release.

Frankie Gavin is one of the genuine legends of Irish music and the current ‘De Dannan’ ensemble (now known as ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’) is led by Frankie on fiddle, flutes & whistles with Damien Mullane on accordian, Eric Cunningham on percussion, flutes & whistles, Mike Galvin on bouzouki & guitars and Michelle Lally on vocals. The new 15 track album contains many pulsating traditional instrumental tracks combined with a selection of evocative vocal pieces while true to ‘De Dannan’ albums of years gone by the album contains instrumental versions of some well known contemporary songs. On this occasion ‘The Beatle’s’ ‘Here Comes the Sun’ and ‘Gasoline Alley’, a song penned by Ronnie Wood and Rod Steward are given the unique ‘De Dannan’ Irish traditional treatment. Indeed Frankie and the band have performed along side the ‘Rolling Stones’ in the past and as a result of the mutual music respect which exists between the musicians, guitarist Ronnie Wood guests on the new album aptly named ‘Jigs, Reels & Rock ‘n’ Roll’.
In establishing the new ‘De Dannan’ in 2009, Frankie assembled a group of fiercely talented performers who during the first performance as a band in the USA received a number of standing ovations at Sander’s Theater at Harvard University, Boston-and the first was before the intermission! Rob Fabroni, Producer of the ‘Last Waltz’, who saw the band perform in the USA during their first tour in March 2009 summed up the thoughts of many in the hall: “this is the best incarnation of ‘De Dannan’ I have ever witnessed and I believe I have seen them all…sensational”.

‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’ will join an exclusive club this month having performed for 3 U.S. Presidents; these performances include engagements at ‘The White House’ and at the ‘US Capitol Building’. The band toured China in July 2010 with the ‘Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra’ and played such venues as ‘Shanghai Grand Theatre’ and ‘Beijing Opera House’. The tour was also aired on ‘China Central TV’ to over 500 million viewers.

‘Jigs, Reels & Rock ‘n’ Roll’ will be available in stores nationwide from September 24th.

For details on live dates visit www.dedannan.com. ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’s’ tour of China is supported by Culture Ireland.

For further information contact Eric Cunningham; eric@dedannan.com +353 (0)87 2270498