Award-Winning Celtic Group to Perform at Commerce Bank Summer Concert Series at Ramapo College
(Mahwah) -- Celtic rockers Lenahan, acclaimed as “one of the world’s top Celtic folk-rock bands” (Washington Post), will perform Thursday, July 18 at 8 p.m. at Ramapo College of New Jersey in the Commerce Bank Summer Concert Series.
Twice named “Best International Irish Band” in Ireland and the UK, winners of five ASCAP Songwriter Awards, and internationally known for their creative fusion of traditional Celtic music with American blues, rock and jazz, and world music influences, Lenahan has recently sold out concerts at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and at performing arts centers, festivals and universities around the country and in Europe.
Based in New Jersey and New York City, Lenahan is also known for high- energy live performances. Fiddler Clarence Ferrari rocks the house with his dynamic approach to traditional Irish jigs and reels, and band leader Tom Lenahan is just as likely to play his pipes and dance with ladies in the audience as he is with children and even the occasional pooch. Lenahan’s rhythm section is comprised of Ryan Cavan on drums and Brendan O’Grady on bass who are able to switch seamlessly from reels to reggae and from jigs to jazz. North American and world champion step dancers Emily Endean and Lauren McGerrity join the band on their famous flying feet. Endean and McGerrity, along with Tom Lenahan, are New Jersey natives.
Particularly known for “boldly taking the bagpipes where they’ve never gone before,” Tom Lenahan’s music is featured in the Irish motion picture, Beyond the Pale, which won awards at the Galway and Houston International Film Festivals. Lenahan’s new CD, which was released on March 17, Brand New Bag, expands the boundaries of Celtic music by incorporating world music, blues and even ska and reggae influences with the band’s traditional Irish music roots. In addition, the band’s signature blazing bagpipes and fiery fiddling shine through.
Future summer concerts to be held at Ramapo College include performances by The Infernos on July 25 and Zydeco A-Go-Go on August 1. All concerts will be held at the Band Shell and are free; there is a $5 charge for parking. For more information or to join the Friends of Ramapo, call (201) 684-7115.
In addition to Commerce Bank, the series is sponsored by the Friends of Ramapo, the Ramapo College Alumni Association and McBride Agency, Realtors.
Bring your lawn chair, a carload of family and friends, and picnic under the stars.
