Robbie Harris is a bodhrán player and percussionist.
Over the years he has performed and recorded with artists such as Emer Mayock, Bobby McFerrin, Riverdance, Eileen Ivers, Moya Brennan, Brian Kennedy, Daimen Demsey, Finbar Furey, Elliot Randall, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Stocktons Wing, Bill Whelan, The High Kings, Zoe Conway, Mick Moloney, Puck Fair, Grada, Secret Garden, The Bards, The Fleadh Cowboys, Eoin Duignan, Hector Zazou, Sami Moukaddem and Kila.
In this year’s and last year’s St Patrick’s Festival he was the musical Director with City Fusion. This project went on to win best pageant award in the parade as it had done so the previous year.
He compiled and released a double album called
Pure Bodhrán a collection of 19 of the leading exponents of the drum from all over Ireland. It features the first ever recording of the instrument made in 1927.
As percussion director of Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre’s production of The Bull he performed at The Barbican London in 2007 and in the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2005. This production travel to Berlin in November 2008.
In 2004 he and Dave Boyd conceived and composed Elements a percussion show for The Ark, Dublin. This production was highly successful and will begin a European tour in 2009.
In 2000, after having toured extensively with Riverdance-The Show he joined the Broadway production in New York. While living there he was a guest lecturer at The Julliard and The New School, NYC. He has worked on theatre shows with The Abbey, Teatrul National Bucuresti , The Ark A Cultural Centre for Children, Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre, Rough Magic, Corn Exchange, Passion Machine, Macnas, Barnstorm, Siamsa Tire and Dublin Youth Theatre. Film credits include Moll Flanders, Gold in the Streets, Pump Action and Mystics.
www.robbieharris.ie
Reviews for Robbie
"Robbie Harris, who plays a small drum called the bodhrán, is a cheeky delight." The New York Times
"He wove complex rhythms and counter rhythms from many drums." Washington Times
"Best hand drummer since Mick Fleetwood." San Francisco Examiner
"Robbie Harris is the ultimate live percussionist." Edmonton Journal
"Robbie Harris is one of the best bodhrán players I’ve ever seen on stage." Folk World
"Robbie Harris does a mean bodhrán solo and the combined bodhrán, fiddle and castanets routine had the audience on its feet." Sunday Independent
"The pace picks up with Robbie Harris adding an array of percussion, cymbals and shakers to create a sound picture that’s more Latin that Latin Quarter." Music OHM
Pure Bodhrán - The Definitive Collection
This double CD presents 19 leading exponents of the bodhrán showing that in the right pair of hands this humble goatskin becomes a true musical instrument.
Pure Bodhrán brings together a virtual who's who of top traditional musicians, with many tasty tracks. What began as a celebration of the bodhrán has actually evolved into one of the finest traditional music collections currently available.
Over the last 30 years, bodhrán playing has developed into an entirely new
voice in traditional Irish music.
Today the bodhrán has become as much a symbol of Ireland as the harp, and
this once humble drum is played today using highly innovative technique and
tone, making it one of the most exciting instruments in Irish music.
Pure Bodhrán turns the spotlight on the bodhran in its many roles. As a
driving rhythmic accompaniment, as subtle or teasing embellishment to adorn
music, lilt or song, as a tonal instrument in its own right or in a proud
solo role. Pure Bodhrán has a packed agenda , built around music not just
beat. Robbie harris, Ronan O Snodaigh, Tommy Hayes , John Joe Kelly, Jimmy
Higgins and a gentle Cathy Jordan complete disc 1.The second disc is
reserved for the trail blazers including Christy Moore, Donal lunny, Kevin
Conneff, Johnny Mc Donough and Colm Murphy. Wonderful too is the first
recording of the bodhran by John Renolds in 1927.
Buy Pure BodhránReviews for Pure Bodhrán
"This superb double-CD celebrates an icon. Not a single dud throughout." The Irish Times
"A genuine celebration of the instrument." The Examiner
"Doing exactly what it says on the sleeve, the double album goes all the way back to 1927 with an ultra-rare recording of John Reynolds." Hotpress
"Pure Bodhrán has a packed agenda built around music not just beat." The Sunday Tribune
"On Pure Bodhrán Robbie Harris has gathered together today’s finest exponents of this unique Irish instrument." Irish Music Magazine
"Pure Bodhrán turns the spotlight on the bodhrán in its myriad moods and roles." The Folk Column
"From rare 1927 recordings to todays cream of the crop...this is the definitive collection." DSide
"Pure Bodhrán turns the spotlight on the bodhrán in its myriad moods and roles...one of the finest traditional music collections currently available." List Magazine
The Drummers Forum
