SPH Presents Celtic Nights at the Hall with Connor Mallon and Unearthed!
What an incredible privilege it is to bring this bit of a different treat to the Hall! Celtic music is near and dear to so many of us here, and Connor Mallon is a master of his instrument and the genre. This show is unique and not to be missed. There will be a full bar service available, and a tune session and song circle is quite likely to break out afterward, so bring those instruments!
Many of us know Conor Mallon, award winning uilleann piper, from his successful tours of the US with the band Connla. While Connla is still a focus for Conor, the shutdown gave him time to work on a solo project that had been percolating for years. The result was “Unearthed”, a beautiful album that honors tradition while exploring the potential of the uilleann pipes. Already a favorite showcasing band, Conor is taking the Unearthed quartet on the road and will be in North America starting in 2024.
In his own words:
“The Unearthed project was created during the 2020/2021 lockdowns. Most musicians, including myself, were unable to perform or channel their creative energy into in-person collaborations. The project itself was created during this reflective period in which I decided to focus my attention into my own compositions and arrangements.
Unearthed has a number of meanings to me in relation to this project; unearthing my own solo adventure with the project, unearthing the many unique sounds of the Uilleann Pipes and using them in combination as a percussive element within my own original compositions. ‘Unearthed’ nods to traditions from the past, cast from deep passion and respect, to push boundaries of innovation and creativity whilst never losing sight of the source. I composed and recorded original contemporary Irish music alongside more common repertoire, and used the authentic and unique sounds of the Irish Uilleann Pipes as programming samples-as percussion and rhythm underneath the melody of the track.
.Music connects us all, no matter of race, religion, or background. Music affects us all individually in different ways, emotionally and physically. Music brings us closer together sometimes when words alone cannot. Music connects us to a moment in time, in the past, present, or looking to the future. This is part of my musical journey; I hope you can connect with it in some way to guide you on yours.”
Conor Mallon from Keady, Co. Armagh started his musical career with the Armagh Pipers Club where he attended Uilleann Pipe lessons. He has progressed through ranks to become one of the senior teachers at the club before touring in a full-time capacity. He has been taught by many pipers over the years and they include Tiarnan O Duinnchinn and Jarlath Henderson. Conor has been categorized as one of the leading pipers in his generation as described by folking.com - “In the week that we learned of the passing of Liam O’Flynn it was apposite to hear Conor Mallon leading the next generation of Uilleann pipe players.”
Conor was the first recipient of the ACNI/BBC NI Young Traditional Musicians Platform award and subsequently was a guest musician with the Ulster Orchestra and with the award winning Foden’s Brass Band. Conor is a Senior County, Ulster and All-Ireland Champion on Uilleann Pipes in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and has won many other awards including the Uilleann Piping Scholarship by the Na Píobairí Uilleann Dublin in 2008 and was the first recipient of the Mark Donnelly Bursary for Uilleann Piping Award in 2010.
