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Frankie is also the original founding member and bandleader of internationally acclaimed traditional super group ‘De Dannan.’ They are available for POPs orchestras and have their own charts.
For many years ‘De Dannan’ were the forerunners in the Irish traditional music world but after 33 years, 14 albums and a number of changes in the line up, the group disbanded in 2003. The band at that point had been responsible for bringing singers Dolores Keane, Mary Black, Maura O Connell and Tommy Fleming, amongst many others, to international prominence. In August 2009, Frankie Gavin unleashed a new ‘De Dannan’ line up which in his own words "reflects a ‘De Dannan’ of the 21st century”. The current ‘De Dannan’ ensemble (now known as ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’) is led by Frankie Gavin on fiddle, flutes & whistles with Barry Brady on accordian, Eric Cunningham on percussion, flutes & whistles, Mike Galvin on bouzouki & guitars and Michelle Lally on vocals.
Frankie Gavin, who is widely considered to be the world’s greatest Irish fiddle player, entered the Guinness World Records in 2010 as the fastest fiddle player in the world. The band ‘De Dannan’ has been responsible over many years for bringing some of Ireland’s immensely talented traditional performers to the world stage and in the word’s of Rob Frabroni, Producer of ‘The Last Waltz’; ‘this current line up tops them all’.
The band has performed everywhere from the ‘White House’ & ‘US Capitol Building’ to ‘Beijing Opera House’, and in addition has performed and recorded with a long list of musical luminaries which includes the ‘Rolling Stones’. The band has also performed for a whole host of dignitaries which includes three U.S. Presidents.
Part of Frankie Gavin's enduring appeal lies in his astounding technical ability and unceasing quest for innovation – musical pieces more commonly associated with the like of the ‘Beatles’ and George Frideric Handel are now common place in Frankie’s repertoire as an Irish musician. Most pertinent of all is the knack he has for imparting to his audience his own enthusiasm, the sheer joy, the magic of great music-making.
'Electrifying' is an adjective that's too often used to describe certain performances but this is one instance where it's absolutely unavoidable. If you've never been lucky enough to see ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan’ perform live, prepare to be... shocked.
An album featuring the most recent ‘De Dannan’ line up, entitled ‘Jigs, Reels & Rock ‘n’ Roll’, which includes a guest appearance by Ronnie Wood of the ‘Rolling Stones’ was released at the end of 2010 and is available at performances. A new recording (for TV, DVD & CD) entitled ‘Frankie Gavin & De Dannan- Live from Verona’ will be recorded at the beautiful ‘Teatre Romano’ Amphitheatre in Verona (Italy) in September 2012 will be available internationally at the end of 2012.
"I invited Frankie Gavin & De Dannan to play Austin Celtic Festival
this year and in short...they were sensational. They were the talking point
of the festival and indeed gave one of the most memorable performances seen here over the past 15 years. I hadn't seen Frankie Gavin enjoy himself on and off stage as much for a long time and for me this is down to two things; the people he now performs with and the fact that the Band's Manager is a band member and so travels with the group to oversee everything and essentially takes the potential hassles out of the loop for both Frankie and the organizer. I would entice anyone to see this band live and indeed I know if you have them play your event audience members will be amazed."
Donnelle Mc Kaskle, Festival Director-Austin Celtic Festival
Frankie Gavin and De Dannan are the jewel in the crown, and as the musicians hit top gear some of the fast reels in particular are mesmerizing.
... Carl Dixon, The Irish Examiner, August 2009
Rightly heralded as the greatest Irish fiddler player, Frankie Gavin
has nothing left to prove...Gavin is a true fiddle-playing genius, one who continues to inspire and dumbfound in equal measure.
... The Scotsman
Frankie Gavin is one of the genuine legends of Irish music. From his first TV appearance playing the tin-whistle when he was six alll the way to seven solo albums, his adventures in the realms of Jazz, Gospel, and Klezmer, through to appearances and recordings with such luminaries as Earl Scruggs, Stephane Grapelli, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, and the ‘Rolling Stones’, ‘the prince of Irish fiddlers’ is one of the outstanding performers of the past thirty years.
