Karan Casey

Karan Casey (born 1969) is an Irish folk singer, and a former member of the Irish band Solas.

Early years

Casey was born in Ballyduff, County Waterford, Ireland. Her family encouraged her to sing in the house, in a church choir and at school. At Waterford Regional Technical College she studied piano then took music at University College Dublin in 1987. Having learned to copy Ella Fitzgerald's scat singing, she performed in a Dublin bistro several nights per week while still a student. At the Royal Irish Academy of Music she studied classical music and sang in a jazz band, then a folk-ballad band, then another jazz band. She also fell under the influence of Dublin folk singer Frank Harte. During this time she also formed her own band, called "Dorothy".

Immigration to the USA

In 1993 Karan moved to New York City. There she studied jazz at Long Island University. When she encountered Irish traditional music sessions in New York she started singing Irish traditional music again. During this time she mostly sang in bars and locals. For most of 1994 she sang with a group called Atlantic Bridge. At the end of the year she joined Seamus Egan and others in Solas. She sang five songs on their first album in 1996. In the same year she sang in Tramps club in Manhattan, accompanied only by a percussionist. They mixed jazz and folk. In 1997 she recorded a solo album, "Songlines", inspired by the novel of the same name by Bruce Chatwin. It was produced by Seamus Egan and included several members of Solas. There were a few traditional songs and some contemporary folk songs.

"Chasing the Sun", included a number of songs Casey wrote herself. Up to this point her records were released by Shanachie Records in the United States and Vertical Records in Europe.

Karan has since returned to living in County Cork, and is married to Niall Vallely, a composer and player of traditional Irish music. Her most recent album is "Ships in the Forest" released in April 2008 on the Crow Valley Music label (Compass Records in the US).

Children's music

In 2000 Karan collaborated with several other singers on "Seal Maiden - A Celtic Musical". It was a musical version of the film "The Secret of Roan Inish", designed for children. It concerns the mythical creature called the selkie (a seal-woman). Since then Karan has recorded three further solo albums released in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In a salute to her Celtic roots several tracks were recorded in her native Irish tongue. She also features on the DVD "Solas Live".

Discography

Solo albums

* "Songlines" (1997)
* "Seal Maiden" (2000)
* "The Winds Begin To Sing" (2001)
* "Distant Shore" (2003)
* "Chasing The Sun" (2005)
* "Ships in the Forest" (2008)

Recordings with Solas
* "Solas" (1996)
* "Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers" (1997)
* "The Words That Remain" (1998)
* "" (2006, CD and DVD)

Other Recordings1996:
Her Song: Exotic Voices of Women from Around the World - Various Artists
1997:
Celtic Tapestry, Vol. 2 - Various Artists
Holding up Half the Sky: Women's Voices from Around the World - Various Artists
Voices of Celtic Women: Holding Up Half the Sky – Various Artists
1998:
Africans in America - Original Television Soundtrack
Celtic Tides - Various Artists
Greatest Hits - Paul Winter
Legends of Ireland [Rhino] - Various Artists
Winter's Tale [Uptown/Universal] - Various Artists
1999:
Celtic Solstice - Paul Winter
Holding up Half the Sky: Voices of Celtic Women Vol.2 - Various Artists
Thousands Are Sailing - Various Artists
2000:
Emerald Aether: Shape Shifting/Reconstructions Of Irish Music – Bill Laswell
Fused - Michael McGoldrick
Fits of Passion - High Spirited Celtic Captured By Starbucks – Various
Ceol Tacsaí - Various
2001:
Celtic Christmas: Silver Anniversary Edition - Various Artists
Evening Comes Early - John Doyle
Two Journeys - Tim O'Brien
Lullaby A Collection – Various
2003:
Brown Girl in the Ring – Various
2004:
Very Best of Celtic Christmas – Various
Other Voices, Songs from a Room 2 - Various
2005:
Lullaby 20th Anniversary Special Edition – Various
20 Great Kid’s Songs 20th Anniversary Special Collector’s Edition - Various
Folktopia - Various
2006:
Acoustic Affair Vol. 1 - Various
2007:
A Christmas Celtic Sojourn Live [CD/DVD] – Various
Excalibur, Vol. 2 – Alan Simon

External links

* [http://www.karancasey.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.barganews.com/2007/09/02/irish-musicians-marry-in-barga/ Wedding in Barga between Niall Vallely and Karan (includes video of the whole family playing at the wedding ceremony]