Packie Duignan (flute) and Peter Fitzpatrick (fiddle)

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Album release of all John McKenna’s music and background - Leitrim Observer

The current Leitrim traditional group in residence, Dónal Lunny, Seamus Begley and John Carty recently paid a visit to the restored home of the legendary flute player John McKenna in Tents, near Tarmon. These present masters of the tradition were visiting to hear about an exciting project to produce for the first time, through digital remastering, the total and complete discography of John McKenna.

The recordings span from 1921 to 1937 and some of this music is extremely rare and has never been heard before.

The legendary John McKenna is one of the most influential flute players in the history of Irish music. John was born in Tents in 1880, emigrated to the USA in 1909 and from 1921 to 1937 whilst living, working and raising a family in New York, he recorded an extremely important body of work in total forty four 78 rpm’s record sides. McKenna was a true master in his field and during his lifetime, his raw, earthy dynamic Leitrim style, allied with a rich tone, subtle melody variation and a beautifully unforced driving rhythm set a new benchmark for excellence. McKenna is of one of the most influential flute players in the history of Irish music and he attained an impact globally.