Artist Profiles: Dáithí Sproule

Dáithí Sproule (left) with Randal Bays

Dáithí Sproule is a commuting guitarist. Born and raised in Derry, he has lived for many years in Minnesota (United States).

After first inspirations from the Beatles, Daithi’s first traditional Irish songs were learnt from his friend, Sean O hEili and from singers in the Gaeltacht of Rannafast.

Daithi’s first album was with Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill and Micheal Ó Domhnaill (Skara Brae). He got seriously into accompanying the instrumental music when he began to sit in on the traditional sessions in the Four Seasons in Capel Street in Dublin during the 1970’s, where he received a great grounding in the traditional music of the whole country (and very much including Donegal tunes) from the fiddle-playing of John Kelly (Senior) and his sons James and John.

Daithi first went to the United States to record and tour with James Kelly and accordion-player, Paddy O’Brien, and since has recorded and performed with many wonderful musicians, including Tommy Peoples, Seamus and Manus McGuire, Liz Carroll and Billy McComiskey (in the group Trian), Randal Bays, and Peter Ostroushko.

He is also a member of Altan, one of the most important Irish bands in recent history. he also teaches DADGAD guitar and traditional songs at the Center for Irish Music in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Discography:

A Heart Made of Glass (Green Linnet, 1995)
The Crow in the Sun (New Folk Records, 2007)
The Pinery, with Laura MacKenzie (New Folk Records, 2009)
Lost River, Vol. 1 (New Folk, 2011)

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.

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