Irish fiddler Kevin Burke & American guitarist Cal Scott Present New CD and U.S. Tour

Renowned Irish fiddler Kevin Burke has teamed up with American guitarist Cal Scott for an exciting new collaboration in traditional music. They release their debut CD Across the Black River on May 8, 2007 as the premier recording on Kevin’s new label Loftus Music. The title comes from one of Kevin’s compositions, named for a river in County Sligo where his Mother grew up (also recorded by Lúnasa on their album Sé). Guest musicians on the album are Johnny B. Connolly (accordion), Michael McGoldrick (flutes), and Phil Baker (bass, of the group Pink Martini). The duo will be touring the East and West coasts in May and June. See tour dates below.
 
 Kevin and Cal first met in Portland while working on a documentary about "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. Cal, a film composer from Oregon with a background in American roots, folk and jazz, and creator of more than thirty PBS documentary scores, was commissioned to compose the score. He engaged Kevin as a consultant on the project."We enjoyed working together so much," says Kevin, "that when the score was done we continued to spend time together, playing, recording and exchanging musical ideas."

The CD Across the Black River has them dipping into both their backgrounds, with Irish jigs and reels, Scottish airs, and bluegrass tunes along with fresh compositions. There is a French-musette-style waltz written by Cal, with Johnny ‘Box’ Connolly on accordion; a swingy reworking of Bill Monroe’s "Evening Prayer Blues," with Kevin’s fiddle multi-tracked and Cal’s sparkling mandolin; and a lovely air written by Scotland’s Phil Cunningham in remembrance of his brother Johnny.

Since the early 1970s Kevin Burke has been a well-known figure in the Irish music world. He was a member of the legendary Bothy Band and with current groups Patrick Street and Celtic Fiddle Festival. His on-going interest in American music has led to recordings and collaborations with Arlo Guthrie, Tim O’Brien, The Dillards and his own acclaimed group, Open House. Kevin was awarded an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2002 for his contributions to traditional music, and will be performing in New York City in October as part of the Heritage Fellowship’s 25th anniversary.

Tour 2007

April 26, Decatur, GA, Eddie’s Attic, http://www.eddiesattic.com
April 27, Knoxville, TN, Laurel Theater, http://www.jubileearts.org
April 28, Nashville, TN, The Station Inn, http://www.stationinn.com
Apr 29, Birmingham, AL, Birmingham Botanical Garden, http://www.bbgardens.org
May 5, Roseburg, OR. www.fiddlefool.com
May 11, Philadelphia PA, Irish Center, www.philadelphiaceiligroup.org
May 12, Charlottesville, VA, Westminster House, http://www.brimstunes.org/events.htm
May 13, Washington DC, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, www.fsgw.org
May 14, Gettysburg, PA, Stone Jug House Concert
May 15, Voorhees, NJ, House Concert, http://www.harpagency.com
May 16 (sold out) & May 17 – Assonet, MA, House Concert, http://www.musicbythebay.org
May 18, Millville, NJ, Wheaton Arts Center, http://www.wheatonarts.org
May 19, Paramus NJ, Central Unitarian Church, www.hurdygurdyfolk.org
May 20, Easton, CT, Tressler’s Barn, http://www.shamrockirishmusic.org
May 24, Kevin solo – Dublin, Ireland, Vicar St – Concert for Michael O Domhnaill
June 22 & 23, Portland, OR, Alberta Street Pub
Aug 10-12, Canton, MA, Irish Connections Festival, with Johnny B. Connolly
Oct 13, Kevin solo – NYC, World Music Institute, in a concert of National Heritage Fellowship honorees

Buy Across the Black River