In an effort to spread a little Irish cheer around Ocean Beach, traditional Irish piper Paddy Keenan will perform at Holy Trinity Parish, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Performing as part of the church’s “Holy Trinity Concert Series,” Keenan will showcase his highly praised skills at playing the Uilleann pipes.
Rev. Larry Bausch, a longtime San Diego resident and rector of the parish since 1979, is an avid Celtic music fan who’s eager to see Keenan perform.
“Paddy Keenan has been on the scene as one of the premiere Uilleann pipers,” Bausch said. “He was in a band [The Bothy Band] that put out four albums in the ’70s, so they were considered the first band to take Irish traditional music and infuse it with a kind of rock ‘n’ roll energy.”
Bausch said Keenan’s unique instrument is as interesting to watch as it is to listen to.
“The Uilleann pipes, which Paddy Keenan plays “¦ are a bellows-driven pipe, as opposed to something you blow into,” he said. “They’re a pipe that’s played [while] seated and you strap this thing to your arm and you move it back and forth…They’re the most elaborate of all of the piped instruments. There’s several different things going on.
“Many people use Uilleann pipes whenever pipes are called for in some kind of a musical setting because they can fit in easier; they’re not quite so overwhelming,” Bausch said.
Well-known for transforming the way people think about the bagpipes in popular music, Keenan was named “Musician of the Year” at the fifth annual TG4 Gradam Ceoil, an Irish Music Awards ceremony in 2002.
According to a short biography on his website, Keenan grew up in a musical family, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by picking up the pipes at age 10. Later, he was one of the founding members of the popular group, The Bothy Band. Of the band’s sound, Keenan’s site states that it “forever changed the face of Irish traditional music, merging a driving rhythm section with traditional Irish tunes in ways that had never been heard before. Those fortunate enough to have seen the band live have never forgotten the impression they made ” one reviewer likened the experience to ‘being in a jet when it suddenly whipped into full throttle along the runway.'”
The upcoming concert at Holy Trinity Parish will mark Keenan’s second time performing as part of the concert series.
“Actually, a few years ago, we had the opportunity, through his agent, to contact Paddy Keenan and ask him to come,” Bausch said. “As far as I know, that was his only time he’s ever played in San Diego.”
Bausch started the Holy Trinity Concert Series more than 10 years ago, based on a friend’s suggestion.
“We talked about the idea, and then there was a bar that was closing in Ocean Beach, and so we bought a mixer board and speakers and began to build up our sound equipment that was necessary,” he said.
He said the idea was born out of his observation that local venues in which traditional Celtic music are offered are dwindling. Bausch said the parish puts on about six concerts each year and he hopes to keep it alive for years to come.
“And if we provide consistent, quality music of one type then people may not know who these particular musicians are might be willing to give it a try,” he said.
Singer/guitarist John Walsh will also perform with Keenan at the event.
The concert will take place in the parish hall. Complimentary refreshments will be served at intermission, and CDs will be available for sale.
“There’s almost always a chance to meet the musicians, and they sell CDs,” Bausch said. “There’s a chance to get them to sign your CDs for you.”
Bausch said he expects a large turnout because of San Diego’s strong public interest in Irish and Scottish music and dancing. Referring to Balboa Park’s House of Scotland and House of Ireland and the local Irish pubs as examples, he said, “So, they’ll probably be some pipers here that are interested in watching a master at work.”
Tickets are $17 in advance and $19 at the door and can be purchased by calling (858) 689-2266.
For more information on Paddy Keenan, visit www.paddykeenan.com.