FÁILTE. . . I am a traditional Irish Harper from Westport, Co. Mayo. Since my journey began with my harp (many moons ago) I have met many amazing musicians and serious characters and played some interesting music. I've been involved in more than 50 recordings with artists like Kathleen MacInnes, Michelle O'Brien, Eimear Quinn, Tríona, Maighread and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, The Chieftains, Mary Black, Donal Lunny, John Hoban, Kate Bush, Matt Molloy, Sharon Shannon, Tim O'Brien, Cherish the Ladies, Máírtín O'Connor, Kevin Burke. I recorded 2 albums and toured extensively with traditional group 'Bumblebees' and have 2 solo albums 'Ceis' and 'Just Harp' and a new live duo CD with Clare fiddler Michelle O'Brien called 'The Wishing Well'
I grew up in a musical household and went to fleadhs, harp competitions and festivals. One of the most memorable was the Belfast Bicentennial Harp festival in 1992 and being presented the Waterford Crystal harp by Mr. Derek (ding-dong) Bell RIP.
I have performed for President Mary Robinson and President Mary McAleese and for the 25 Heads of State of the EU at a special concert, I've also played at the last winter solstice of the Millennium at Newgrange; at Parliament buildings, Stormont, for the Northern Ireland Assembly Christmas celebrations, and am honoured to have performed along with Poet Laureate Seamus Heaney on the ancient hill of Tara, to raise awareness of the destruction of the Tara landscape. In November 2009 it was an honour to represent Ireland at the World Harp Festival in Paraguay.
Enjoy the music!
“Laoise Kelly subverts all cliched images of Irish colleens with harps by playing driving instrumental music” Cara Magazine
“Kelly virtually reinvents the instrument with her rhythmic and melodic intricacy, her syncopation and undulating chords and harmonies . . . she'll have you swaying in your bath-chair with her profound musicality.” Irish Times (Mic Moroney)
“She turned the often sedate harp into an instrument alive with the mirth and gaiety of dance music. It serves as synth, bass and virtuoso solo instrument in her sure and confident hands. She ably changes tunings, syncopates, harmonises and above all plays a stunning melody line, all in the same breath, or sweep of the arm.” Irish Music Magazine
“Beautiful harp playing from one of the few young exponents of the instrument to make a name for herself in recent years on the Irish scene. She brings to the instrument a confidence, maturity, clarity and joyfulness that is both refreshing and modern using innovation and ornamentation to good effect.” worldmusic.org.uk
“The harp has for long been a powerful icon of Irishness. When the United Irishmen set out in the eighteenth century to ‘break the connection with England‚ the symbol of their political philosophy was the harp and they proudly proclaimed that it is new strung and shall be heard.
Before the recent advent of the curious and dyslexic figure seven, Guinness and the harp were inextricably linked and we all know too well the harp on the brown envelope, which can be the voice of doom from the revenue.
Curiouser and curiouser then, as Alice would say, that the harp has not played as full a part as it might in the resurgence of Irish music that has grown like a mighty wave since the sixties. Did its connection with the old Irish aristocracy mean that it did not translate easily to these democratic modern times? Whatever the reason or reasons this CD from Laoise Kelly may be a small but significant step towards changing all that.
Eleven tracks show an exuberant and innovative talent which catches the spirit of the modern Irish music movement in a way that few harpers have done to date.
There is a flexibility of rhythm and phrasing in her playing that is light and bright and gives her the scope to explore the music in a way that is fresh and twinkling and shows the harp off in a completely new light.
This is a wonderful sample of the formidable talent of Laoise Kelly who has much to offer now and to the development of Irish music in the future.” Irish Music Magazine
“Triplets made in Heaven”, Derek Bell of The Chieftains once remarked on hearing Laoise Kelly, not, of course, suggesting that Laoise had a couple of sisterly look-alikes, but simply describing the quality of her playing. . .
Laoise has redefined the harp's potential, moving it a step nearer its reinstatement as a traditional instrument. Through sheer talent and technical brillance she has transformed it into a conduit for her remarkable interpretations of her dance music. Just Harp, simply oozes flair and gaiety with sparkling melodic lines, resonant chords and a subtle use of the bass strings to create harmonic richness while maintaining an almost unstoppable rhythm. All of this is encapsulated in her extraordinary playing of the jigs “The Yellow Wattle/Trip to London/Trip to Brittany” where she plays a walking, syncopated bass line that some jazzers would die for.
Just Harp - Stylish and stunning music from a truly original musician.
The Rough Guide to Irish Music (Geoff Wallis and Sue Wilson)
Just Harp is an album which should not be consumed all in one go. Instead the listener should dip in occasionally and sample the sheer brilliance in small doses. In this way one’s life will be prolonged and humanity will edge closer to solving the great mysteries of life.”
Tony Reidy
