One of Irish traditional music's leading exponents, Téada is driven by a fascination for the timeless, expressive force of music inherited from previous generations of musicians.
An Irish band with a truly worldwide reach, Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Israel and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, and Campeche International Festival in Mexico. The group also received an invitation from the Irish Embassy in Rome during 2008 to perform at a commemorative event marking the 400th anniversary of the landmark event in Irish history known as “The Flight of the Earls.”
Winner of ‘Best Young Irish Traditional Act’ at Ireland’s Music Awards, Téada released a longawaited fourth album – Ceol & Cuimhne / Music & Memory in 2010 on the Gael Linn label, described by The Irish Echo’s Earle Hitchner as “the best album of Irish instrumental music I’ve heard so far this year “. 2011 saw Téada mark its’ 10th anniversary with a busy season of touring and other special projects.
Founded by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, Téada first came together in 2001 to make an appearance on the innovative Irish television series ‘Flosc’. With engaging textural arrangements, Téada, meaning "strings" in the Irish language revels in the vibrant traditional music of Ireland. Deftly playing up its structural intricacies while preserving the contagious energy inherent in the repertoire, the group strives to capture a sense of the rawness and individuality of the solo artist, within a modern group context.
Oisin Mac Diarmada
fiddle
A graduate in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin/RIAM, Oisín Mac Diarmada began playing fiddle at a young age in Co. Clare, subsequently moving to Co. Sligo and developing a deep interest in the playing style of the North Connacht region. Following the release of acclaimed solo album, "Ar an bhFidil" (Green Linnet) in 2003, Oisín was subsequently featured in renowned US magazine “Strings” and described by The Irish Echo's Earle Hitchner as "one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today." Founder of noted group Téada, Oisín is also a regular solo performer, appearing as guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra in 2007. Awarded a Research Studentship by Dundalk Institute of Technology, Oisín has recently been pursuing postgraduate studies under the direction of Dr. Fintan Vallely in the area of “Political Identity & Movement to Music”.
Damien Stenson
flute
Hailing from the rich musical environment of Co. Sligo, Damien Stenson is noted for his extensive repertoire and flowing style of playing, honed by many years of extensive musical activity. In addition to performing with Téada, he has featured on a number of albums including the compilation "Wooden Flute Obsession Vol. 2", an album featuring bodhrán-player Junior Davey, and appeared on RTÉ television series ‘The Reel Deal’ during June 2009.
Seán McElwain
guitar/bouzouki
Seán McElwain from Monaghan brings a strong string dimension to Téada through his dynamic contributions on guitar and bouzouki. In recent times, touring performances have seen Sean gaining growing accolades for his accompainment and melodic skills from many quarters. He is actively involved in the organising and running of an annual weekend of music 'Scoil Cheoil na Botha' in his native county Monaghan.
Tristan Rosenstock
bodhrán
Tristan Rosenstock is from Glenageary, Co. Dublin. He started playing the bodhrán at the age of 11, and prefers a subtle, sympathetic approach to accompaniment. A graduate of Early & Modern Irish in Trinity College, Dublin and later Film & Television Studies in DCU, he works in television and radio when not touring with Téada.
Séamus Begley
accordion
Accordion player and singer Séamus Begley is one of the most popular Irish traditional musicians, coming as he does from one of the most musically acclaimed Irish families.
Séamus is the quintessential Irish musician, an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out tune after tune at all night sessions. He plays with an energy that is alarming, bringing a frisky spontaneity to his box-playing, belting out jigs, slides and polkas with rapid sprays of reckless ornamentation before making a sudden key change into a bitter-sweet air, sung or played on the accordion. His repertoire reflects his own place and his style of playing is much influenced by a now gone generation of accordion and fiddle players who came to céilí in his family home.
Séamus’s style is unique and he is considered by many to be one of the finest players of the dance music of West Kerry and is never happier than when people are dancing to his music. Séamus divides his time between his small holding in the West Kerry Gaeltacht and travelling Ireland and the world playing music. Prior to Teada, Séamus has toured extensively with Jim Murray, Altan, Steve Cooney and Mary Black to name but a few.