Renowned Clare flute player John Rynne founded and organised the celebrated Ennis Trad Festival for many years, before moving to London, where he now runs the city’s new mecca for traditional Irish music – Highgate’s music- and gastro-pub Brendan the Navigator. John has played with many of Ireland’s finest Céilí band at various points, including the Kilfenora, Tulla and Shaskeen. He has extensive teaching experience both in Ireland and London.
Fiddle player James Carty from Boyle, Co Roscommon comes from a long line of traditional Irish musicians and a family highly respected in the traditional idiom. James, however, distinguishes himself within the traditional music scene with his unique style inspired by the old Sligo masters, particularly Michael Coleman, James Morrisson, and Paddy Killoran. In 2017, he released his debut solo album Hiding Daylight in Dark Corners and, in 2020, a duet recording with John Carty entitled The Wavy Bow Collection. James has also appeared on several other recordings, most notably The First of May with Harry Bradley on flute and At Complete Ease, with Brian Rooney. James has spent several years living in London where he has taught extensively.
London-born Tad Sargent, whose family roots hail from Castlebar in county Mayo, is a multi-instrumentalist who first learnt the piano at a young age. After re-discovering his childhood love for Irish music, he began playing the bodhrán in 2002, and spent years studying under the London Irish banjo player Mick O’Connor. Tad has worked with many great musicians and groups including Tony Christie, The Kelly Family, Angelo Kelly, Brian McNeill, Sylvain Barou, Michael McGoldrick, Mohsen Amini, Benedict Morris, Cara Dillon, , The Dhol Foundation, Ranagri, Crossharbour, Bible Code Sundays, and The Long Notes. In Autumn 2016, he released an album with the Breton uilleann piper Loïc Bléjean. Tad has also worked at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on the 2016 production of Taming of the Shrew and on Henry IV part 1 (2019). His Bodhran and Bouzouki playing can be heard on recordings and films including the 2010 film “Burke and Hare” (John Landis), Barulle’s album “Mananans Cloak”, Crossharbour album “CrossHarbour”, Ranagri “Tradition”, Tony Christie album “The Great Irish Song Book”.
