BBC Folk Awards Best Musician nominee Dan Walsh combines ‘virtuoso playing and winning songwriting’ (MORNING STAR). Describing what Dan does is no easy task but at the heart of it is British, Irish and American folk music delivered with a healthy dose of funky grooves – all performed with his unique and dazzling take on clawhammer style banjo helping to challenge all preconceptions about the instrument. Add to all that poignant songs, astonishing musical departures and lively humour and the result is a truly memorable live show which has wowed audiences across the world from intimate seated rooms to huge dancing crowds in festival fields.
Walsh has recorded seven solo albums to much critical acclaim. Most recently, he returned to his first love and recorded ‘O’Neill’s Tunes’ – a collection of traditional Irish tunes played in his unique take on clawhammer style, which was described as ‘expertly played’ and ‘difficult to find any fault with’ by Songlines magazine, as well as receiving airplay on BBC Radio 2. He is an in-demand performer with a hectic touring schedule across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Europe. He has also released two banjo tablature books, including a very successful book of clawhammer arrangements of Irish folk tunes, which inspired the O’Neill’s album.
He is also an in-demand session musician, particularly on banjo which he has played on countless albums, but also has a sizeable number of credits on guitar and mandolin. He has worked with Universal Studios on film soundtracks and recorded in top London studios, including British Grove, RAK and Air Studios. He has performed or recorded with a wide variety of musician’s including Darius Rucker, Ward Thomas, Imelda May, Joss Stone, Seth Lakeman, the Levellers, Duane Eddy, Martin Simpson and even the City of London Sinfonia (although rumours of a collaboration with Beyonce turned out not to be true after a hilarious misunderstanding by Wikipedia and a Daily Mail journalist). Both solo and as a member of the award-winning Urban Folk Quartet, this unique and eclectic musician has stunned audiences across the world.
Venue: Christchurch Irish Society hall is situated up the long driveway, directly next to Domain Park, and there is plenty of well-lit off-street parking.
Doors open 7pm. Performance starts at 7.30pm - online bookings will close prior to the event start time. After this time only door sales will be available on the night and will be dependent on the number of seats available in line with the Hall capacity.
Please bring cash for tea, coffee, biscuits and cake available during the break, also bar facilities for cold refreshments throughout the night, Eftpos available at the bar for purchases only, no cash-out facility.
Folk Club and Irish Society members please remember to bring your membership card for licensing purposes. Non-members sign in at the bar if making purchases
