Shaskeen PR 2022
Shaskeen Returns with Big Band Sound & New Line Up May 2022.
Tom Cussen, band founder said: “I’m delighted that Shaskeen will be doing live performances again. It’s bittersweet because this time, it’s without two of our dear friends, but we’re looking forward to playing live and bringing that energy to our audiences again”
Shaskeen was originally founded in London in 1970, where there was a very vibrant music scene among the Irish community living there. When founder member Tom Cussen moved back to Ireland he settled in Galway and continued the band there.
For over 50 years Shaskeen has travelled extensively, entertaining audiences throughout Ireland and internationally. Whether it was playing for concerts or ceilis the band is recognised for its uplifting music & shows full of variety; from music to get feet tapping, to slow pieces and songs where audiences join in singing or to spontaneously dance a set.
The audience is always at the centre of the performance and even though the line up of the band has undergone many changes in the intervening years, audiences have continued to be entertained.
The present line up welcomes two new female members in Katie Theasby well known folk singer also plays whistle & flute. Mary Liddy on concertina from a well established Clare family in the musical tradition. They join with veterans Patsy McDonagh (accordion) Eamonn Cotter (flutes) Geraldine Cotter (piano) Tom Cussen (banjo) Johnny Donnellan (singer/bodhran) and the youngest veteran Dave Sanders (fiddle, singer)
See https://www.shaskeen.net/band/ for information on the present members of the band.
In fact well over 75 musicians have performed with Shaskeen over the years; each one bringing something new to the overall sound of the group.
The recording ‘Shaskeen Alive and Kicking’ was released in 2020 to celebrate the 50 golden years anniversary of the band. A celebratory tour had been planned but unfortunately this had to be cancelled due to Covid19. Now we are hoping to repeat many of those missed gigs.
Also, tragically two of the band’s acclaimed musicians died in 2020; piper Pat Broderick died unexpectedly on 27 March and Pat Costello singer, guitarist, folklorist and radio presenter, died just a few days later on 1st April.
Now, that the restrictions are lifting the band is looking forward to getting back to playing, singing and above all entertaining and having the craic.
See www.shaskeen.net for confirmed dates and information. Find us on
facebook;www.facebook.com/tom.cussen.77 www.facebook.com/shaskeen
Keep Music Live & Kicking and Keep it Lit