What is the U.S. Electoral College? And what does it have to do with The Kesh Jig and The Humours of Glendart? This election adjacent exploration of two popular jigs takes a look at the stories behind jig (and Presidential) contenders, and the process used to choose a winner. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, links to videos, companion essays, and to contribute to this project, please head to&nbsp;   ___________________ Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters:&nbsp;John Sullivan, Heather Carroll, Michael Craine, Adele Megann, Karin Kettinring, Paul Davis, Edward O’Dwyer, the Irish &amp; Celtic Music Podcast, John Sigler, Randall Seamen, Ron Kral, Isaiah Hall, David Vaughan, Susan Walsh, Matt Jensen, John Ploch, Tom Frederick, Paul DeCamp, Jonathan Duvick, Gerry Corr, Mike Voss, Sean Carroll, Isobel McMahon, Bob Suchor, Rick Rubin, Ken Doyle, Chris Armstrong, Ian Bittle, and Chris Murphy

Episode 79-Kesh v Glendart

When you’re tracing a song through six generations, and you’re digging into distinct versions of dance tunes carried by players from East Clare, you never know what card games and shipwrecks you might also uncover. This special episode—the last new story for a while—weaves together stories from John Tunney and Mary MacNamara, who grew up around generations of music in rural Ireland, with the tale of an American kid who played cards with her grandparents. * Find Paddy Tunney’s (restrung) Stone Fiddle .. and  * Find Mary MacNamara’s  * Listen to other episodes, and stay tuned to future Irish Music Stories endeavors (including the  ___________________ Thank you to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to this month’s underwriters:Thank you to Sharon Murphy, Michael Craine, Jackson Galloway, Karin Kettinring, David Vaughan, John Ploch, Adele Megann, John Sigler, Randall Semagin, Mike Voss, Isobel McMahon, Heather Carroll, Ian Bittle, Rick Rubin, the Irish &amp; Celtic Music Podcast, Chris Armstrong, Jonathan Duvick, Susan Walsh, and Bob Suchor.

Episode 80-The Winning Hand

I wrote Blue Dress Waltz as a centerpiece on my Blue Dress CD. Maeve Gilchrist recorded it with me, and it made my heart soar to hear a room full of her students playing it on my birthday (best phone message ever!). I've performed the piece with my string quartet project and with Childsplay. And I've turned it into a classical flute and piano number, which was recently performed at Scituate High School by two impressive young musicians. The Blue Dress CD is available at http://www.mattandshannonheaton.com/discography/Discography_BD.html

Blue Dress Waltz

Tune 23 of my 30 Original Tunes for April project! This E Minor jig goes into G Major at the start of the second part. I wrote it after being around majestic redwood trees--who, surprisingly, don't root deeply; but instead twist roots around fellow redwoods to stay planted, nourished and safe.

Redwoods In Winter

The Irish Music Stories podcast is a show about traditional music--and the bigger story behind it. Here is a short chat with Medford Public Librarian Sam Sednek. Just like playing music together, the stories we tell each other bring meaning and dimension to our lives. The story is the center, no matter the setting or context. Read Sam's story at http://leaplittlefrog.com/category/raise-little-frogs/

Sam Sednek Audio Short on Storytelling

Just came across this recording from the solo show I did last year in Milwaukee. Great venue at Celtic MKE, and looking forward to a return visit this summer!

Paddy's Rambles Live In Milwaukee

Muskrat Mazurka.WAV

Here's a classic set of slides (tunes associated with Paddy Cronin and Denis Murphy). First tune played slowly for learning, second tune played with the Somerville gang at the Armory. We meet on the second Saturday of the month, 2-4pm. All levels welcome at this Guided Session.

GuidedSessionGangPlaysPaddyCroninsDenisMurphys

Irish Music Stories is the show about traditional music, and the bigger stories behind it. Full episodes at IrishMusicStories.org -- where you'll hear tales like this one, about how fiddle tunes link fiddle player Laurel Martin to the past, and can offer some perspective and comfort today.

excerpt from Irish Music Stories podcast

Something in Common

Just came across a quick kitchen recording of this great reel--Woman of the House, indeed!

HeatonsWomanofHouse.WAV

a quick set from the Heaton kitchen, recorded on a phone a few years back, with our pal Dan Gurney. Sharing this for John who loves the tune!

Heaton Kitchen

Tap Room Kitchen set

I wrote this on the occasion of my first social meet up since Covid-19 isolation! A brief (masked) garden visit with my dear friends Kieran Jordan and Vincent Crotty.

for Kieran

The Garden Party

Trailer for the November 2017 inaugural episode of .

Episode 01 Trailer

Boston-based Shannon Heaton specializes in Irish wooden flute and traditional Irish-style singing. She has been heralded as one of North America's finest traditional musicians (Massachusetts Cultural Council Traditional Arts Fellow 2016; IAN 2009 Female Musician of the Year; Live Ireland 2010 Female Artist of the Year). She is wildly creative teacher, and has published two flute/fiddle method books. Her latest, "First 50," is a collection of notated tunes with accompanying recordings. The book includes breathing marks for flute players and bowing for fiddle players, showing musicians how to play with minimal ornamentation and maximum rhythmic stability.

ShannonHeatonMusic

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