New York flutist Linda Hickman’s birthday is officially tomorrow, but 2 weeks ago she underwent a Surprise Emergency Birthday event at the Irish American Association of Northwest Jersey. And survived with good humor intact. Over 30 musicians and dancers showed up to honor Linda and her music and kept a hot session going till way past midnight. Being stuck for a suitable gift and somewhat impecunious at the moment, I could but humbly offer a simple double jig composed that morning while sitting in traffic. Here’s a video shot live: http://www.lemccullough.com/LEMcCullough/Whats_New.html.
The IAANJ (http://www.iaanj.com) has a lot of good music throughout the year. If you’re in the Eastern PA, NYC, southeastern NY, north/central Jersey vicinity you should stop in for their concerts, sessions and ceilis — many great Irish trad players have performed there… it’s rustic, it’s friendly, it’s actually just a half mile off Interstate 80 and very accessible by car and only 3 miles from the train at Dover. Email irisnevins@verizon.net to get on the mailing list. Next big show is April 24, Masters Of The Irish Harp: Grainne Hambly and William Jackson. . . who also play concertina, bouzouki, and whistle. After the concert a session ensues.
Happy Birthday Linda!
L.E. McCullough
yes, happy birthday!
if you’ve never had the pleasure to play with Linda, it’s a marvelous affair. She’s a tune-filled person with the personality to match.
I’ve gotten to play music with her a few years now and always look forward to her visits here in Denver. She’s a treasure!
bit of trivia: that great boxwood RR we all associate with Chris Norman? Came from Linda.
Hey, David! Do you know Larry Edelman in Denver? I just got his newest CD, CAFE CURIOSO, with the Soda Rock Ramblers, very cool stuff. We played together in Pittsburgh in the 1970s and the reason I mention it, is because he has a great jig called “The Birthday Jig”. . . which he composed for himself not waiting around for anybody else to come up with something. Always a self-actualizer!
best,
L.E.
p.s.: Linda and fiddler Rose Flanagan are playing at the Porter House in Montvale, NJ, a 6-9 pm session on Sundays, and they sound amazing together. Last time I was there flutist John Creavan was in, whistlemaker John Sindt, fiddler Dylan McDermott. If anyone is ever in the neighborhood, drop in.
– L.E.
LE
i know the dude’s music, not the dude though. I’ll need to check it out. Good jig eh?
and great that Linda’s still with Rose. Great combo those two.
Does Halloran make the session up there much anymore at the Porterhouse?
and I loved playing with Sindt. Such an understated player of such wisdom!
Brian Halloran? I believe he’s in Cleveland OH these days… Any verificators out there?