ICC Concert Session with Karen Ryan, Andy Martyn & Tad Sargent

Karen Ryan

Born in London to Galway and Mayo parents, it was a strong Connemara tradition of melodeon players and traditional singers on her mother’s side that initially fired Karen’s love of the music. She is a founder member of a number of musical projects, notably – The London Lasses & Artisan Row.

In 2011 Karen was given the Mayor of Camden’s ‘Unsung Heroes Award’ for services to music in the borough, having co-founded and directed Return to Camden Town Festival (now Return to London Town) since 1999.
In 2013 Karen released her debut solo album ‘The Coast Road’ accompanied by her husband, Pete Quinn (piano) on Cló Iar Chonnacht. She was awarded ‘Female Musician of the Year’ by Chicago Irish American News and ‘Instrumental Album of the Year’ by Live Ireland. Pete and Karen have recorded 8 albums to date, including 5 with the London Lasses, 1 with Artisan Row and ‘From Camden to Tulla’ with Clare accordionist, Andrew MacNamara.

Andy Martyn

Andy is a London Irish virtuoso of the button accordion who grew up playing with the best of London-based Irish traditional musicians of his and older generations in that golden London era of the 1970-80s.  He went on to gain renown through collaborations with Brendan Mulkere, John Carty, Alias Ron Kavana and London groups Slip Jigolos and Le Cheile among others. Andy’s distinctive style and mix of music is heavily influenced by his East Galway family and by the many musicians with whom he has played over the years. In 2022 Andy released the first album in his own name Will We Give It A Go?, including a combination of his own compositions and his unique interpretation of Irish airs and traditional tunes in collaboration with a compelling cast of renowned musicians, which Irish Music Magazine described as his “master opus”, adding “This album will outlive us all. Irish London and the wider Diaspora should be so very proud of Andy Martyn, thank goodness he gave it a go”.

Tad Sargent

Our former bodhran & guitar tutor, Tad has returned to the Irish Cultural Centre by way of producing the concert sessions series.  He has recently released a new album with Matt Tighe (fiddle) and you can find the album – Home Grown on Band Camp and most streaming platforms.  His previous bands and collaborations include recording/gigging with Crossharbour, The Long Notes, Béal Bán, Brian McNeill, Cara, Loic Blejean, Brian Kelly, Ranagri & Tony Christie.