The Fireflies
|
|
|
Home Search Leave Feedback Contact Us
|
The Fireflies
Home Search Leave Feedback Contact Us
|
|
|
 The Fireflies are one of Ireland's first Klezmer bands, featuring Fiona Ashley on clarinet, Ruti Lachs on piano accordion, Fred on bass guitar and Billy Spoonsberg on drums. Formed in 2003, and constantly evolving, they have performed their lively, infectious mix of Klezmer, Gypsy, and assorted folk styles in numerous venues around Ireland, including the first World Music Festival in Cork city, Waterford Spraoi, the Tall Ships festival, the Dunlaoghaire Festival of World Cultures, Feile na Bealtaine An Daingean, and Ballydehob Jazz Festival. Klezmer is the lively and danceable Jewish wedding music which originated in the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe in the 19th Century. Klezmer is very popular and upcoming in Europe, the USA and Britain, and now in Ireland too. The Fireflies have presented workshops in Klezmer music and dance in Cork and Kerry, and continue to share their funky stuff at multicultural events locally.The Fireflies set, while focussed on non-stop Klezmer groove, also includes Gypsy and European tunes, and songs, including Yiddish ballads and original compositions. The Fireflies encourage audience participation, stamping, clapping, dancing, and joining in the occasional chorus of “ai-ai-ai”. Their arrangements of Klezmer tunes are characterised by great energy, enthusiasm and humour. The lyrical and harmonic instrumentation of the clarinet and accordion combine with the walking talking bass and the drum backing that ranges from subtle, through stomping, to pure wild. This all gives the audience a rich experience that brings them back again and again. The Fireflies are available for festivals, functions, arts events, Barmitzvas and, of course, weddings. Audiences are guaranteed a foot-stomping good time! “Will even get your granny up dancing…something for everybody in the wedding party” Irish Times “Rich exotic tones, adventurous harmonies, amusing, insightful and accessible to everyone” West Cork Advertiser “A real sense of Eastern Europe” Kerry’s Eye “Outrageous….I love it!!” Anon, a party T H E M U S I C I A N S Fiona Ashley – has been playing flute since she was eleven and has been exploring traditional music of Ireland, Europe and beyond for many years. Love of Klezmer music inspired her to take up the clarinet. In recent years she has played with several bands, bringing her lively style and cosmopolitan repertoire to venues across South West Ireland. She toured Switzerland with the band Ficama, playing a similar blend of Klezmer and European folk. Former bands include No Half Measures and Solar Charge. Ruti Lachs – plays piano accordion, and sings. Based in Killarney, Co. Kerry, she has spent years honing her Klezmer skills whilst also studying classical piano and trombone, teaching music and bringing up her two sons. She is involved in various Community Arts Projects. For four years Ruti played with the successful local band Rumpus. Ruti’s songs appear on her solo album of original material, entitled Sleeping People. She is an impassioned singer and musician, developing harmonies that lift, soothe or haunt. Her original songs are an amusing expression of life to which everyone can relate. Fred - plays bass guitar. Fred has 25 years experience playing music in the streets and houses, especially delighting all with his powerful singing and guitar style. Also owns various recorders, and plays them in the sweetest style ever. Played for many years in the Mountain Bog Band. Billy Spoonsberg - this fine accomplished multi-instrumentalist plays drums for The Fireflies. Spoonsberg adds to the atmosphere with his energy and motivation. He is also a banjo player, singer and rhythm guitarist. He has played with Culture Shock and the Mountain Bog Band, and is a devilish spoons player! |
|