Ruth Keggin
Ruth Keggin | |
|---|---|
| Ruth Keggin performing with Nish As Rish at the Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient in 2014 Ruth Keggin performing with Nish As Rish at the Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1989 Isle of Man |
| Genres | Folk, Celtic |
| Occupation | musician |
| Instrument(s) | vocals, piano, flautist, whistle[1] |
| Years active | 2011-present |
| Labels | Purt Sheearan Records |
| Website | www |
Ruth Keggin is a Manx Gaelic singer-songwriter.[2] She holds degrees from the University of York and the University of Cambridge.[3]
Career
[edit ]In 2011, as a member of Nish As Rish, Keggin won in the Best Newcomers category at the 2011 Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany, France.[4]
Keggin was awarded a grant by Culture Vannin to produce her 2014 debut solo album, Sheear ("Westward"), a collection of traditional and contemporary Manx songs praised as "bringing new life into the language with her music."[5] [6] Keggin's album has held popularity in the Celtic genre, becoming album of the week on Celtic Music Radio[7] and listed as number one in Japan’s ‘Top 10’.[8]
Keggin released her second solo album, Turrys ("Journey"), in 2016. Critic Neil McFadyen, writing for the journal Folk Radio UK, praised the album and called her voice "clear, precise and a joy to hear."[9]
In September 2020 Keggin became the Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin, a foundation established by the government of the Isle of Man to promote Manx culture.[3]
In March 2021, Keggin and Scottish harpist Rachel Hair launched a joint crowdfunding campaign to produce a debut duo album to consist primarily of songs in the Manx language. These will include both traditional songs and songs by contemporary Manx musicians. They reached their target goal of 5,000ドル within 12 hours of launching the campaign and achieved a stretch goal of 10,000ドル after 48 hours. Some matching funds were provided by Creative Scotland. The album has also received funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council.[10]
Current and Former Collaborators
[edit ]- Erlend Apneseth - hardanger fiddle
- Tom Callister - fiddle[11]
- David Kilgallon
- Vanessa McWilliam - double bass
- Margit Myhr - voice, hardanger fiddle
- Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin - Irish flautist and sean-nós singer
- David Pearce - guitar
- Rachel Hair - harp
Discography
[edit ]| Title | Release |
|---|---|
| Sheear (‘Westward’)[12] | 2014 |
| Turrys[13] | 2016 |
See also
[edit ]- Julie Fowlis, sings in Scottish Gaelic
- Mary Black, sings in Irish
- Gwenno Saunders, sings in Welsh and Cornish
References
[edit ]- ^ "Ruth Keggin". Manx Music.
- ^ "Celtic Family Magazine Summer Issue 2015". celticfamilymagazine.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Ruth Keggin Gell". Culture Vannin. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Isle of Man folk group wins Celtic festival competition". BBC News. 22 August 2011.
- ^ "Ruth Keggin solo album - Sheear". culturevannin.im.
- ^ "Singer Ruth Keggin 'breathes life' into ancient language". BBC News. 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Album of the Week: Ruth Keggin with 'Sheear'". celticmusicradio.net.
- ^ "TOP 10 June 2014 » Irish Music Magazine". irishmusicmagazine.com.
- ^ McFadyen, Neil (10 August 2016). "RUTH KEGGIN: TURRYS". Folk Radio UK. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Rachel and Ruth - a debut duo album!". Crowdfunder. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Ruth Keggin – CD Album Launch at the Centenary Centre - Isle of Man News :: isleofman.com". isleofman.com.
- ^ "Living Tradition CD review of RUTH KEGGIN - Sheear". livingtradition.co.uk.
- ^ Robert McMillen (3 February 2017). "Trad/roots: Adventures in Manx with Ruth Keggin's album Turrys". The Irish News. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
