Rowan Leslie – The Kesh (2023)
Rowan Leslie, an Irish fiddle virtuoso and composer from County Antrim unveils his latest EP, The Kesh. This musical offering represents a deliberate return to his roots, featuring delightful, elegant and magnetic traditional tunes carefully curated from various corners of Ireland. The selection and arrangement of these beautiful Celtic flavored melodies were skillfully crafted in collaboration with his longtime musical colleague, Graeme Armstrong.
Leslie says about the new set: “This EP is a return to my roots; traditional tunes from across Ireland selected by me and arranged with my longtime musical collaborator Graeme Armstrong.”
Rowan Leslie’s musical career commenced at the age of seven, immersing himself in the rich traditions of his home village, Broughshane, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Under the tutelage of Johnny Murphy, a distinguished fiddler and craftsman from Ballymena, Rowan refined his skills, inheriting the legacy of the legendary Belfast fiddler Sean Maguire.
His musical studies led him to Newcastle University, where he earned a BMus in Folk and Traditional Music in 2014. The influences from some of the finest fiddlers across English, Scottish, and Irish traditions left an indelible mark on Rowan’s musical style. Further enrichment came from his time at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, culminating in the ALCM diploma in Irish Traditional Music from the London College of Music in 2013.
Immersed in the Irish dance tradition, Rowan began accompanying dancers at the age of thirteen, traversing Italy and Spain for various Celtic festivals. His involvement extended to movies, portraying the role of the fiddler in the award-winning ‘Moon Dogs’ at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2016. A six-month tour with the iconic Giffords Circus in England highlighted Rowan’s commitment to his craft.
Rowan’s role as a composer started at thirteen, focusing primarily on traditional-style dance tunes and airs. His versatility extends to other genres, evidenced by a composition for the Royal Northern Sinfonia, performed at the University of Newcastle in 2014. Collaborating with Johnny Murphy and pianist Rose Murray, Rowan released a CD of Irish dance music in 2009.
His solo album, Itchy Fingers, followed in 2010, paving the way for a four-track EP of original compositions in 2017, titled EP: Originals. The release of his second album, Escaping The Dawn, in December 2020, accompanied by Graeme Armstrong, Andrew Waite, and David Foley, marked another milestone in his career.
Rowan’s dedication to preserving and spotlighting his heritage is evident in the collection ‘Contemporary Fiddle Tunes from the Northeast of Ireland,’ published by Mel Bay. This book, featuring tunes from his native County Antrim and neighboring County Derry, underscores his commitment to the preservation of musical traditions.
Currently based in Glasgow, Rowan wears multiple musical hats, performing under his name, leading The Iconic Ceilidh Band, and contributing to the local Glasgow cover band, The Raggaels. Beyond his performances, Rowan’s role as a fiddle instructor extends to both individuals and groups, including a notable weekly Zoom session initiated during the pandemic. This virtual initiative brings together musicians worldwide to play traditional Irish tunes collectively.
In 2022, Rowan Leslie took a significant step with the launch of Ash Bespoke Music. This music agency stands as a testament to his expertise, providing musical accompaniment for events and special occasions.
Musicians: Rowan Leslie on fiddle; and Graeme Armstrong on guitar.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.