The recordings on this site grew out of classes in Irish session music that I’ve been teaching at Artichoke Music in Portland, Oregon since 2001.  I made the recordings as reference material for each of those classes – 64 and counting.  On them, you’ll find sets of tunes (usually two) played at moderate tempo with accompaniment, followed by individual tracks of each of those tunes played more slowly.  Most of the melodic playing is on the fiddle, but you’ll also hear a fair amount of C#/D box (played by my wife, Fran Slefer), some tenor banjo, and a smattering of mandolin.  The accompaniment is mostly guitar, with some bouzouki now and then.

A lot of the recordings have a specific theme focusing on a certain aspect of Irish trad.  The themes range far and wide: regional styles (Clare, Kerry, Donegal); notable players’ repertoires (Denis Murphy, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, P.J. and Martin Hayes), well-known composers (Ed Reavy, Peadar Ó Riada, Seán Ryan); older manuscripts and collections (O’Neill’s, Goodman).  And more.  If you see the balance tipping toward music from Clare and Sliabh Luachra, then it shows you that we all have our preferences!

I’ve played Irish fiddle since the early 1980’s, having started musical life as a guitarist.  Over the years, I’ve been particularly influenced by the playing of Kevin Burke, Matt Cranitch, and Denis Murphy.  Kevin moved to Portland around the time I started and set me straight on quite a few things.  Later travels to Ireland led me to cross paths with Matt, and hours of listening to Denis Murphy’s playing – as well as to others influenced by it – helped shape how I hear and play the music.

This site will grow over time.  I’ve put up the music from class #1 as a free sample, and the more recent recordings available for purchase.  Then I’ll be going back in time, adding to the catalogue in reverse order until we’re back to where we started.  Hope you enjoy learning and playing the music.

For updates on gigs and other information on my music (and Fran’s as well), check out www.GlenCottageMusic.com. Named after my favorite polkas.

Cheers,

Dan Compton