Sprag Session - East Coast Kitchen Party

MUSIC

Cape Breton’s Sprag Session Brings Years of Experience to Debut Album

Sydney, NS, April 7, 2012 - Sprag Session, formerly Colin Grant Band, has developed a unique style and repertoire of music. Lingering somewhere amidst the rich, soulful roots of traditional Cape Breton music and the grooves of a thousand branches of rock and funk, Colin Grant embarks on his latest project: a mingling of beats and melodies from an extensive host of musical influences. Sprag Session has created a kind of Celtic fusion that breathes new perspective into the music.

With a traditional trio comprised of Jason Roach (piano, Dawn and Margie Beaton) Darren MacMullen (mandolin, guitar, banjo, J.P. Cormier) Grant hooked up with the rough and red-eyed blues/funk rhythm section of Merlin Clarke and Donnie Calabrese (Tom Fun Orchestra). The Cape Breton roots clearly come out in the music, mixed with a modern performed in a sophisticated manner.

Sprag has immediate fans including Joella Foulds, Artistic Director for Celtic Colours who comments “the whole package: superb musicianship, excellent compositions, unique arrangements, a band that exudes energy and virtuosity, a stage presence that connects with their audience.”

Sprag Session’s debut album was recorded at Sonic Temple in Halifax by noted engineer Darren van Niekerk. Award-winning engineer Jamie Foulds at Soundpark Studios in Sydney carried out mixing and mastering. The album features 12 tracks of original Celtic instrumental music with a 63-minute running time. The album incorporates compositions by band members Colin Grant, Darren McMullen, and Jason Roach. The music is primarily Celtic Rock-Funk, incorporating elements of Disco, Reggae, Bluegrass, and World music.

Tour Dates:

April 13 CB Embassy showcase (ECMA), Crowne Plaza, Moncton (11pm)
April 21 Seahorse Tavern, Halifax
May 3-6 Shetland Folk Fest
May 26 CD release show, Doryman Tavern, Cheticamp
May 31 An Evening in the Maritimes Fundraiser, Hilton Lac Leamy, Gatineau QC
July 6-13 New Hampshire / Maine tour
July 14 Saltwater Celtic Fest, Brunswick ME
July 20 Levitt Pavillion, Steel Stacks, Bethlehem PA
July 21-22 Maine Celtic Celebration, Belfast ME
Aug. 3-12 Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Lorient, France
Aug. 16-19 Milwaukee Irish Fest, Wisconsin
Aug. 31 Sept. 2 Kansas City Irish Fest, Missouri
Oct. 5-13 Celtic Colours International Festival, Cape Breton NS
Jan. 30 Feb. 3 Belgium tour

MUSIC

Cape Breton’s Sprag Session Brings Years of Experience to Debut Album

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