I am a California native Irish traditional musician based in Ireland. I started playing music when I was around seven years old, beginning on piano and the Native American flute, which was my first wind instrument. My dad bought three of these flutes before I was born, and I am still playing them to this day. I tried various instruments as a child, including clarinet, saxophone, various percussion instruments, the accordion, and a few others. It wasn’t until I was eleven-years-old however that I discovered the tin whistle.
I was about to board the bus back from an American Civil War reenactment in Mariposa, California, when I visited the souvenir stand. I bought a tin whistle from a barrel and my life changed forever. I played it on the bus heading home, then occasionally throughout the year, setting it down for a while before picking it up again in May 2014.
I was inspired by a few film scores and remembered a tune that my grandparent’s friends played at their barn, which was called ‘The Swallowtail Jig’. I searched for this tune on YouTube and the gates of traditional Irish music heaven opened for me. I have been ‘tradicted’ ever since!
I listen to many different sources of traditional Irish music as well as folk music from around the world, classic rock, American folk, jazz, and more.
These influences have made an impact on my playing. My style is my own creation, influenced by these genres and specific individuals suchas Brian Finnegan, Alan Doherty, Ali Levack, and others. It is highly percussive and energetic, which reflects the person I am.
I am currently working on an album that will be released on March 23rd. I co-engineered and mixed four albums, including ‘Harmonies’ (a flute and whistle meditation album), ‘Decade’, (a traditional Irish music album with a contemporary twist), ‘Tradify’ (an album that features a band I was in), and ‘A Whistle Wonderland’ (Christmas music treated as traditional Irish tunes).
The album that will be released this month is entitled ‘From Kolkata to Dublin’, which is a minimally produced album featuring the Indian tabla, tin whistles, and exotic/rare wind instruments.
I am planning to record duets with tin whistles and harmonica/button accordion this month, and to record an album of traditional Irish music that suits the Chinese Hulusi.
As I write this, I am in the middle of eight days of gigging in Dublin. Six gigs down, three to go!
I am a full-time musician, gigging every week and offering my remote recording services, teaching, custom tune compositions, and more.
I am also currently forming the Cedar Dobson Band, which will consist of two or three musicians that will be performing at various festivals within Ireland this year as well as abroad.
One of my greatest joys in life is to perform and share my original music and arrangements with others. This music is my life and I love it so much!
I am expanding my horizons by diving into the world of gypsy jazz, playing complex solos on the low whistle. I am planning to film professional music videos to send to festivals as one of my goals is to play in Celtic connections next year. I just want to play the music that I love so much with others who appreciate it. That way I will able to express my emotions through music and hopefully touch other people on a deep level. Music is so powerfully emotional and it’s vital for us during this time in history.
I post videos nearly every day on social media and YouTube. I post a tune of the week every Sunday as well as videos of exotic wind instruments and videos of me riding a unicycle while playing the tin whistle simultaneously. Indeed I love a good challenge and unicycling while playing the tin whistle has been just that!
I hope to break into the scene more within Ireland and Europe as I am striving for more fulfilling opportunities, such as performing in festivals and in beautiful venues. I am grateful for every opportunity though, as they have made a positive impact on me. I am making valuable connections more often now than before.
I moved to Ireland from California to experience the music as it is in all of its glory, honesty, and rawness. I’ve been based in Ireland for nearly five years and I am absolutely living the dream! I’m so grateful for every opportunity. I am now looking forward to traveling within Ireland and abroad, sharing the joys of music with others and hopefully offering moments of peace, joy, and lightness to others.
This music has formed me into the person I am today. Endless gratitude!
Latest Album: Decade https://cedardobsonmusic.bandcamp.com/album/decade
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedar_dobson_music?igsh=MWF3a2hxc3Z5bHU0bg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Website: www.cedardobson.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CedarDobsonMusic