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Bio's
Jim Carton (vocals) Jimmy Carton came to Canada in 1967 as a young man, after having already begun his career in Ireland first as a boy-soprano and then as a successful ‘show band’ lead singer with such well known showbands as ‘The Checkmates’. Jimmy has been entertaining extensively in Canada and the U.S. since his arrival here over 30 years ago, performing in such varied venues as Irish festivals to Massey Hall in Toronto, with sell-out stops in pubs, private clubs and the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s Newfoundland. Over the years in Canada he has recorded 7 albums and one music video. While most of Jimmy’s albums have focused on traditional Irish ballads, with a strong emphasis on the Irish political struggle, his CD ‘Macushla’ is an evocative collection of timeless Irish music inspired by the career of the famous Irish tenor, John McCormack. That CD has proven to be the perfect vehicle for showcasing the purity and strength of Jim’s mellow tenor voice as he pays tribute to the musical traditions of his homeland in his own unique style. Jimmy’s CD ‘Reprise’ brings together a dozen of his most popular pieces – featuring many of the musicians he has performed with over the past 20 years. In concert Jimmy is currently accompanied by his keyboard player Derek Byrne and his guitar player Kevin Kennerney. Both these Dublin men are accomplished musicians in their own right and support Jimmy with both their instruments and vocally, contributing to a varied and entertaining performance.
Derek was born in Dublin, Ireland and began his musical career at the age of seven, studying classical piano at the Royal Irish academy of Music. Upon completion of his studies at the college he graduated to pursue a musical career that would encompass a wide range of experiences. While playing with Irish groups and Showbands during the exciting musical era of the 70's and 80's he also spent time teaching piano at his home in Dublin. Derek's career has seen him travel extensively with Irish Showbands, touring Canada and numerous American Air Force Bases in North America and Greenland. He emigrated to Canada with his wife and four sons in 1986, and very quickly integrated into the musical scene in his new country. To date he has played engagements with most of the noted Irish entertainers in Canada, names such as Frankie Benson, The Shannon Showband, Sean Fagan, etc. He is regularly booked as an accompanist and supports many of the visiting Irish acts that play the Canadian Circuit, names such as Sonny Knowles, Al Banim, Brendan Grace, Hal Roach and many more. Derek lives in Kitchener with his wife Geraldine and family and is an active member of the local Irish community. He feels proud to have been involved in the production of Jimmy's new album and to have had the opportunity to introduce and revive such wonderful music to listening audiences. Better known as "the Mystro" he's the king of the "oneliners" so don't ever engage him in banter or wit, he'll win out every time.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Kevin began his musical career at the age of 13 when he started playing guitar. At the age of 14 he started his first band; The Rising Sons where Kevin sang and played rhythm guitar. From that early start Kevin has continued to play in a variety of bands both in Ireland and Canada, including The Monaco Showband, Tomorrows People, The Palms, and the Shannon Band. He has toured extensively around Canada and Ireland with many returned visits to the furthest reaches of Canada's East Coast in Newfoundland and Labrador. Kevin's versatile talents, both vocally and with his guitar playing serve to bring a perfect balance to the Jimmy Carton band. Kevin owns a musical instrument shop called "Strings Attached Music Shop" and lives in Streetsville, Ontario with his wife Helen and sons Christian, Neill and Kevin Jr.
Born in Toronto, his home today, Matheson's career has seen him acting in film and television from the age of 12. He's a founding member of Moxy Früvous. Since 1990, the band has made seven albums, with sales of over a half million, and amassed an ardent fan base throughout Canada and the U.S. during eight years of extensive touring in North America and Europe. With Moxy Früvous, he's frequently appeared on radio shows including numerous CBC productions, NPR's Anthem, All Things Considered, The Mountain Stage and WXPN's World Café. The band has also been featured on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien and a variety of CTV and CBC shows and in 2000, the band was featured on CBS Sunday Morning in a profile by Rita Braver. Fruvous has performed often at many folk festivals such as Philadelphia, FalconRidge and Newport in the U.S., WOMAD and Phoenix Festivals in Europe, and all the big ones at home in Canada. He credits festivals as having awakened his love for the singer/songwriter tradition. Since the band went on hiatus in the fall of 2000, Matheson's efforts include film scoring, jingle writing and production, session work (plays more instruments than Prince without the distracting dance moves!) and of course, performing material from his solo debut.
Dublin born Derek Harrington began his musical career in 1968 when he formed the Celtic band "Na Sultoiri" in Dublin with his brother, Robert, Sean Og McKenna and Geraldine Whelan (from the band Oisin). The band went on to perform in New York in 1969 and played at the Old Sheiling, one of Manhattan's most famous Irish pubs. Derek came to Canada in 1970 where he formed a folk band called "North West Shovel Company" which played extensively all across Canada and eventually became the resident band at the popular "Nag's Head" on York Street in Toronto. Derek joined the Jimmy Carton Band in 1978 and has performed extensively with Jimmy ever since, playing guitar and singing. As well as performing, Derek has made a name for himself as a record producer. In addition to producing several albums for Jimmy, Derek has also produced three award-winning CDs for The Irish Descendents. (recipients of a Juno, nominations for East Coast Music Awards, an ECMA, and gold status). Currently Derek lives in Dublin, where he performs with his brother
Paul both in Dublin and in Europe. He is currently working on production
of the second Harrington Brothers CD (set for release in 2002). |
Derek
Byrne (piano & keyboard)
Kevin Kennerney (guitar)
David
Matheson (guitar)
Derek
Harrington (producer)