‘FRANKIE GAVIN & DE DANNAN’ TO ENTERTAIN PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA AS PART OF THE BAND’S U.S. TOUR
Irish traditional super group ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’ is set to perform at the U.S. Capitol Building on St Patrick’s Day (March 17th, 2010) for President Barrack Obama and other distinguished guests including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the United States House of Representatives), An Taoiseach Brian Cowen (Prime Minister of Ireland), First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin Mc Guinness (Leaders of the Northern Ireland Assembly).
The March tour will also see the band perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Sander’s Theatre at Harvard University, Boston and The Metropolitan Club on 5th Avenue, New York amongst other dates. The group will also launch a special (pre release) recording, to celebrate the occasion of their performance for the President of the United States, at a reception at the Regis Hotel in Washington D.C. hosted by Irish Ambassador to Washington, H.E. Michael Collins.
For many years traditional super group 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, original founding member and world famous fiddle player Frankie Gavin unleashed a new De Dannan which in his own words "reflects a De Dannan of the 21st century”.
The De Dannan line up is led by Frankie Gavin 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
Frankie Gavin, who himself has performed with a whole host of musical luminaries from Stéphane Grappelli to the Rolling Stones, and is considered the world’s greatest Irish fiddle player, said of the band’s planned tour of the United States:
“It is with great pleasure that we were able to accept the invitation to perform at the US Capitol Building for such esteemed guests, while I am also delighted to be embarking on the first tour of the USA with this new De Dannan line up. I believe the band will wow audiences far and wide and I know it will be the first of many trips to the USA. This tour also coincides with the release of the first material this band has recorded together and we have arranged that President Obama will receive the first copy. ”
Frankie Gavin & De Dannan will be releasing a complete new album in April 2010. The album also features special guest Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones. Several international dates are planned for 2010 including a tour of China with the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra which will be aired on China Central TV to 100 million viewers.
“Frankie Gavin and De Dannan are the jewel in the crown, and as the musicians hit top gear some of the fast reels in particular are mesmerizing” – The Irish Examiner, August 2009
For a full list of dates & information on the band visit: www.DeDannan.com
For Band Management & Press information (Ireland) contact: eric@dedannan.com
For press enquiries in the USA contact:
Susie Arons
Executive Vice President
Rubenstein Communications
T: 212-843-8033 E: sarons@rubenstein.com