Rakish, Shauncey Ali Quartet

Doors 7PM / Show 8PM

$25

Seated show

Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn unite to form “Rakish.” The pair gets their namesake from the traditional Irish tune Rakish Paddy, an origin that aptly suits the duo and their shared background in traditional Irish and Scottish music. Yet “rakish” itself also suggests something strikingly unconventional in its appearance, and Maura and Conor knowingly embrace this wealth of connotation in their music, drawing on the music they grew up with and performing it with their own slant. In a performance that toes the line between concert music and session music, Rakish explores tunes and songs from Irish and American folk traditions in a way that reflects their shared interest in and love for old traditional tunes and chamber music. Maura Shawn, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wields the technical range of a classical violinist and the deep sensitivity of a traditional musician. Conor, a native to the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, makes his home in Boston, MA playing and teaching guitar. As a duo they have performed at venues and festivals across North America, and can be found teaching at fiddle camps across the country.

The Shauncey Ali Quartet weaves the fabric of Celtic and Americana traditions into a compelling tapestry of original compositions.  Shauncey fuses the vernacular of a traditional fiddler, the technical versatility of a classical violist and the chops of an experienced improviser, while Hans Holzen (guitar), Nicholas Vanhaute (mandolin) and David Havas (upright bass) deliver a chamber-style interplay firmly rooted in tradition, complex yet deeply accessible and unbound by convention. ​​​​