 Maurice
Lennon is a name recognised by many people in the now vast world that
is Irish Music. Maurice began playing traditional music at the age
of 13. He was to work hard and "somewhat against the odds" he was
to win that most coveted title of Senior All Ireland Champion at the
age of 17, following in the footsteps of such great players as Seamus
Connolly, Brendan McGlinchy, Liz Carroll. He was followed by the likes
of Desi Donnelly, Eileen Ivers, and Martin Hayes.
The late 70's was to prove an exciting time for a
player who was somewhat shunned by the then "music hierarchy", simply
he believes because "youthful enthusiasm had to have its fling".
As a co-founder of 80's super-group 'Stockton's Wing' Maurice has
had the great pleasure of sharing the same stage with a host of
world renowned artists including, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli,
Sammy Davis Jr., Stephan Grapelli, Michael Jackson, as well as performing
and appearing in the superb Irish film, "The Field", which featured
Richard Harris, Sean Bean, John Hurt, and Tom Berringer amongst
others.
Since ending his long time love affair with "The Wing" Maurice has
been concentrating on developing his first real love of composing
music and writing lyrics. His recent compositions have featured
on Daniel O'Donnell's Greatest Hits album, and performed by the
'Nova Scotia Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Louisiana
choir. His most successful composition to date, the beautiful melody
'If Ever You Were Mine' has been recorded by 'Cherish the
Ladies' and 'Natalie McMaster'. Working with such diverse producers
as Bill Whelan, John Ryan, Shaun Davey, P.J.Curtis, Steve Cooney
and now with Donal Lunny, Maurice is setting his sights on working
as a producer in his own right.
Performance is still a very integral part of Maurice's music. In
recent years Maurice has performed as a special guest musician with
Sean Keane, Ireland's award winning singer, with whom he toured
Ireland and the world. In the summer of 2001 Maurice was approached
by the Ragus group from the Aran Islands to produce their new album
and become the musical advisor. This music developed into a phenomenally
successful live show, which had a two month sell-out run in Dublin's
premier venue, Vicar Street. In addition to producing their album,
Maurice also wrote a piece for the show and the album called 'Island
Memories', of which reviewers wrote "ex-Stockton's Wing fiddler
Maurice Lennon contributed some fine new compositions …" and
"there are a number of original compositions from founder member
of Stockton's Wing, including a piece he wrote for the show called
'Island Memories', a slow air that grows confidently fast to reflect
the change in life on the islands from slow to fast."
The next few years will hopefully see Maurice open more new doors,
continue to entertain, and above all, touch people with what surely
is "a gift". Maurice intends to do a number of dates around Ireland,
performing with the full band, "Brian Boru - The High King of Tara".
The story of Brian Boru is so strong; that Maurice expects it could
be the ideal show for Music Festivals around the world this summer.
"I'd love to write music for film or television, write a pop
song for Bellfire, take my music to Newfoundland, all the while
finding peace of mind." Maurice Lennon
"Maurice Lennon makes literal the cliché about
making a fiddle talk" Sandra Flavin The Sunday Tribune
"Maurice Lennon (ex-Stockton's Wing) played the
fiddle like a man possessed" Dick O'Riordan The Sunday Business
Post
"His musical heritage makes its own distinctive
mark" - Ragus The Show
Get Maurice Lennon recordings online
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