About Me
Dawn Kenny from Co. Clare has performed a huge variety of different tasks during her career as a singer/songwriter. Having been a prodigious classical pianist in her youth and the winner of numerous awards, her first notable achievement was to obtain a music scholarship awarded by The D.I.T. Conservatory of Music for a Masters degree in Contemporary Composition following a music degree in Trinity College. Dawn became the youngest lecturer in music in Trinity College while working as a session piano-player/singer with acts such as Cathal Coughlan and Nine Wassies from Bainne and forming a band called Neverest. At this time Dawn was busily writing/performing songs and had a number of classical works published. She also wrote the title track of a guitar album called E-motion, featuring legendary Irish guitarist John Feeley and most recently a string arrangement for Irish rock band U2.
In 2002 Dawn released her debut solo album ‘Through The Loop’ to great public acclaim. It featured in the Hotpress Readers Poll in the top five of the most promising new acts in the country and sixth best female singer. Her follow-up album entitled ‘Sound’ which was released in October 2004 received rave reviews. ‘Sound’ is distributed by Sony Music Ireland and Proper Music UK. More opportunities followed and she has found herself playing guest act to respected artists such as Bob Geldof, Ron Sexsmith, Joan Armatrading, Al Stewart and Glenn Tilbrook and KT Tunstall to name a few. Legendary blues man Eric Bibb declared publicly that “seeing Dawn play live was like seeing Joni Mitchell all over againâ€.A French film production company called Strianna heard Dawn on the radio while filming in Ireland last September and immediately contacted her to co-write and sing the title track of a French film called “Sur la Piste des Aiglesâ€, which was released in Europe earlier this year. The film/doc is about the retirement of Dalakhani, one of the Aga Kahn’s great thoroughbred horses and will be shown in Ireland later this year. Dawn will be featured in a video release with the song also next year in France and Ireland. A new song by U2 called ‘Window in the Skies’, from their new album U218, features an arrangement for strings by Dawn.Ireland has produced few female singer/songwriting talents of such a high standard and almost none of them perform on piano in the way that Dawn does, her influences coming mainly from America in the form of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Randy Newmann and Tom Waits.“Dawn Kenny’s beautifully pure country-infused vocals are paired well with her old-fashioned piano on this cozy and promising track. ‘Ten Good Reasons bodes well for her upcoming ‘sound’ album. Included are Kenny’s own ‘Seven Days’ and an ethereal cover of The Rolling Stones’ Ruby Tuesday†Paul Nolan, Hotpress
"Dawn Kenny's second album ensures that it isn't all acoustic guitars out there, strumming away relentlessly. Tracks such as 'Ten Good Reasons', 'Torn', Seven Days and 'The End of the World', prove that Kenny can cut the proverbial mustard as a songwriter". Tony Clayton-Lea, Irish TimesHighlights include mid-tempo numbers such as the opener, 'January', 'End of the World' and 'Seven Days', all of which weave their magic on the listener over repeated airings. Strings add even more texture to the gorgeously soaring 'Somebody Knows', while her version of 'Ruby Tuesday' showcases her wide vocal range which reaches the lofty heights. This is a good record" Colm O'Hare, Hot Press
“In addition to all the intellectual and emotional qualities Dawn brings to her music, she has that other, moderately useful advantage – she has a quite wonderful voice, which is both versatile and strong†Kevin Myers, The Irish Times
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