Béal Bán – Rita Farrell, James Patrick Gavin, Colette O’Leary, Tad Sargent

Band members :

Rita Farrell is a London born uilleann piper, flute, and piano player. With family roots firmly in County Leitrim, her involvement with traditional music started at a young age under the guidance of Marian Gill and Damien Mullane before learning the pipes from leading uilleann piper Emmett Gill.

Farrell is a graduate in architecture from Queen’s University Belfast where she conducted research into soundscapes in Irish music as part of her Masters programme. A regular public performer on the pipes, Farrell features on Na Piobairi Uilleann albums The Rolling Wave, A New Generation of Uilleann Pipers and Mná Na bPíob Uilleann:Vol.1. She has since become a prominent member of the London music scene and continues to teach from her home in the city. She is currently a member of the board of Na Píobairí Uilleann in Dublin.

James Patrick Gavin: Known for his consistently strong collaborative work at the forefront of London’s thriving folk scene with TEYR, The Rad Orchestra and Jez Hellard, multi-instrumentalist and composer James Patrick Gavin creates music that dances a line between tradition and irreverence. His work has been described as ‘High energy brilliance’ – Folk Radio UK, ‘Hugely impressive’ – fRoots, and ‘Dazzling’ – RnR Magazine.

‘The sound of today’s London Irish’ – Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 2.

James’ solo album Chewing The Fat presents a wealth of new, original material navigating the lay-lines between three generations of his London Irish and Fermanagh heritage. “Magnificent” – FolkRadioUK.  James is a founding member of contemporary trio “Gavin Fairhall Lever” representing folk music born of their diverse roots.

Colette O’Leary: Accordionist and composer Colette O’Leary was born in Sliabh Luachra, Co. Kerry and raised in Dublin. Twice All Ireland champion, Colette was a former member of highly acclaimed “Bumblebees” (Bumblebees and Buzzin’) and “The Long Notes” (The Long Notes and In the Shadow of Stromboli).

“Colette is a highly respected piano accordionist and her solo album “The Attic Room” combines breath-taking virtuosity with a genuine love and feeling for the music she plays” – Hot Press.

“Colette is one of the best at coaxing genuine sounds from the stomach Steinway, a sterling musician” – Irish Voice New York.

Festival appearances include Glastonbury, Celtic Connections, Celtic Colours Cape Breton, Lorient Interceltique Brittany and Tonder.

TV credits Late Late Show, Sult, Feilte, Ionad Cois Locha (TG4), Horo Geallaidh (BBC Alba). Theatre – Dancing at Lughnasa, Abbey Theatre.

Tad Sargent was born and raised in London.  His family are originally from County Mayo. He first started playing Irish music in sessions hosted by London legends such as Mick O’Connor, Paddy Gallagher, Paul Gallagher and many more. Starting on the bodhrán, he went on to play bouzouki/guitar and can be heard on notable albums such as Brian McNeill, Crossharbour, Matt Tighe, Barrule, Tony Christie, Cara and many more. On stage, he has played with Luke Daniels, The Kelly Family, Talisk, Ranagri, The Long Notes and Cara Dillon.

He was also the resident bodhrán and guitar teacher at the Irish Cultural Centre for over 8 years. In his last year teaching, he had the pleasure of teaching King Charles III and Queen Camilla how to play the bodhrán!