An hour of traditional Celtic music with unique and innovative arrangements. Patsy O’Brien and Dick Hensold in concert includes a variety of songs from Britain and Ireland accompanied by guitar and Northumbrian smallpipes (a quiet bagpipe from Northeast England) and a variety of whistles. Music also includes traditional and historical tunes from Cape Breton Island, Scotland, Ireland, and Northumberland with a good measure of original music in the traditional style. In addition to this broad range of Celtic music, the performance highlights an impressive range of expression, from the jaunty and humorous to the soulful, led by Patsy’s warm and multi-colored baritone voice, Dick’s variety of pipes and whistles, and the nimble instrumental virtuosity of both musicians. (Please note that none of the various bagpipes used in this concert are very loud.) This event is part of Celtic Junction’s Fall Outdoor Concert Weekend.

Dick Hensold, Northumbrian smallpipes, Scottish reel pipes, whistles and recorder. The leading Northumbrian smallpiper in North America, for the past 20 years Dick Hensold has performed and taught in England, Scotland, Japan, Canada, and across the United States. He is an active composer, writing music both in the traditional Celtic idiom, and in more elaborately-scored pieces in the same style. This repertoire is featured on his solo CD, Big Music for Northumbrian Smallpipes, released in 2007. He is also a studio musician and theater musician, and is a 2006 Bush Artist Fellow.

“The piping is fluent and assured… his technique is impressive… delightfully interpreted” — FolkWorld CD Reviews

“North America’s foremost smallpiper” –fRoots

Patsy O’Brien, vocals and guitar. As well as supplying the driving guitar rhythms of Celtic/World Music diva Eileen Ivers’ last European tour, and collaborating with many giants of the Celtic/World music scene (Paddy Keenan, Cathie Ryan among them), award-winning artist Patsy O’Brien hosts guitar workshops all over the country, and NPR saw fit to feature one of his song arrangements on the prestigious All Songs Considered. With 4 critically-acclaimed solo albums under his belt along with numerous live and studio collaborations, Patsy’s songwriting reflects his penchant for seamless genre-hopping, and a strong interest in roots Americana as well as jazz influences.

“Ireland’s best-kept musical secret” ­­— Irish Examiner

“Provocative, genre-defying excellence.” — FreeWorldMusic

Check out Sunday’s line-up:

• Patsy O’Brien and Dick Hensold in Concert at 12:30pm
• Adrienne O’Shea, Ian McKenna, and Joe De Georgio in Concert at 2pm.
• Dáithí Sproule and Laura MacKenzie in Concert at 3:30pm
• Two Tap Trio at 5pm.