We Banjo 3

We Banjo 3 is a band from Galway, Ireland that plays traditional Irish, old time, and bluegrass music. The band is composed of two sets of brothers, Enda and Fergal Scahill and Martin and David Howley, and frequent substitute Garry O'Meara. Earle Hitchner, music writer for The Wall Street Journal, described their playing as a “freshness and finesse bordering on the magical.” ^[1] Their debut album Roots of the Banjo Tree was released in 2012 and was named “Traditional Music Album of the Year” by The Irish Times.^[2] This was followed by the release of Gather the Good in 2014. Siobhan Long, music critic for the Irish Times, writes "We Banjo 3 are a musical Betty Ford Clinic, almost singlehandedly rehabilitating the much maligned banjo in 4 short years."

Line-up

The current line-up is;

• Enda Scahill – Banjo, Mandolin, Tenor Guitar
• Martin Howley – Banjo, Mandolin, Tenor Guitar
• David Howley – Banjo, Vocals, Guitar
• Fergal Scahill – Fiddle, Guitar, Bodhrán

The members of the band have been highly successful in the competitive music field with Martin winning seven All Ireland titles on the banjo and Enda capturing the award four times. Fergal and David have likewise been honoured earning All Ireland titles on the banjo, fiddle, bodhrán and guitar.^[3] The band is frequently joined by Garry O'Meara^[4] who they sometimes refer to as the "Fifth Banjo Threetle".

Discography

L to R, Martin, Enda, David and Fergal backstage at the House of Blues, Chicago.

Roots of the Banjo Tree (2012) - Tony Lawless of Tradconnect writes, "A banjo inspired album has never sounded so good, so pleasing to the ear or so inventive in its approach." ^[5]

Gather the Good (2014) - Awarded the Irish American News Vocal/Instrumental Album of the Year, "Their blend of Irish and Americana is perfection, cutting edge, and educational at the same time. Marvelous stuff from a group that still stops us dead in our tracks."^[6]

Music samples

Samples of the band’s music can be found on their website.

External links

L to R, Garry, Martin, David and Fergal performing live.

• We Banjo 3 (Official Website)
• Enda Scahill (Official Website)

References