Headlines
February 2009: MUSIC
Exciting New Celtic Duo on the Irish music scene
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
Damian Brennan and his band Murphy's Lagh are no strangers to the local Irish music scene, but since Damian and Shamma Sabir (of the well-known Sabir sisters) joined forces, they have exploded onto the local Celtic music scene as one of the new and exciting Celtic duos.
Damian Brennan was the youngest of 10 children born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Even as a young child he was noted for his ability to make sounds. These sounds were later defined as music by teachers at the Holy Child Primary School, who directed and greatly encouraged Damian to pursue his musical career.
Brennan started with the tin whistle under the guidance of his teachers and then was mentored by the great Gogi McCullough (All Ireland Whistle Champion). Damian went on to teach himself the bodhran, guitar and then added vocals.
Damian always puts 100 percent passion into his stage shows whether it be a soft Irish ballad or a high energy performance.
Shamma is the eldest of the Sabir sisters and is widely acknowledged as one of Canada's top fiddlers. She was the first and youngest female nominee to be invited to the Canadian Grand Masters Championships and placed in Canada's top 11 in Ottawa.
She is a songwriter and composer with writing credits on the albums of many prestigious Canadian fiddlers, including Calvin Vollrath and Gordon Stobbe.
Shamma's heartfelt bluesy vocals, combined with her fiddle, mandolin and cello offerings give the group a flavour that places them in a musical sphere of their own.
Both the duo of Damian and Shamma and the four piece band of Murphy's Lagh are regular performers at such venues as The Dubh Linn Gate in Whistler; the Duke of Dublin in Abbotsford; and the Dublin Crossing in Surrey.
Catholine Butler - Celtic Connection
(Apr 23, 2009)