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From Québec to the World

What is most remarkable about Rosheen, a Québec based group, is that they perform the traditional music of Ireland with such authenticity. Not surprising, really, when you realise that generations of Irish emigrants settled in the French regions of Canada offering a rich blend of cultures and traditions.

Founded in 1997 by singer-songwriter Lynn Vallières, Rosheen’s seven members are blessed with a passion for Celtic music. Appearances at events such as the Montreal International Celtic Music Festival, The Stan rogers Folk Festival in Nova Scotia, Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg and the New France Festival in Québec City have helped spread their reputation across Canada. Rosheen has also performed on prestigious stages such as Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, PA, and many other festivals both in Canada and the United States where they were welcomed by warm and enthusiastic audiences. Their 2004 live performance to a full house of 1200 people in the Capitole de Québec, one of the city’s most prestigious venues was broadcast from coast to coast on CBC’s French and English networks.

Irish Dancing Magazine (Ireland) and Keltika (Italy) have given high praise to Rosheen for their music. The group can already be heard on the air in North America and Europe, and with booking and management deals having just taken place in Canada, America and Europe, more focus is being planned for radio worldwide.

In addition to many traditional pieces, all played Rosheen style, the group performs original works by different band members, giving their self-titled CD a particularly original flavour. Jigs, reels and devilish polkas are intertwined with haunting ballads to give an amazing variety of style and pace to both their recordings and their stage shows.

The band is working on a new studio album, due in the late autumn of 2007.

Members of Rosheen
Lynn Vallières - Voice, recorder and bodhran
Michel Hénault - Guitar, arranger-composer and writer
Daniel Marcoux - Bass
François Matte - Wooden flute, tin whistle and bodhran
Grégoire Painchaud - Violin, guitar, mandolin and piano
Barry Nameth - Drums and percussion
Lyne Therrien - Violin