About the Band:
DUAN debuted on the Polish scene in March 2005. Young, wrapped up in their joint passion, those musicians set it as their goal to play the real Irish music, as close to the tradition of the Green Island as possible. Since that time, they have been constantly perfecting their abilities and technique, by participating in numerous musical projects and (not only) traditional music workshops in the country and outside of it (mainly Ireland).
The band's concerts - with traditional instrumental music, merry pub songs and touching
slow airs - tell a real story of Ireland.
DUAN plays regularly at both big festivals and in small pubs, where traditional Irish music takes on its special, authentic quality. The band's music can also be found on the promo CD of The Witcher computer game.
In 2011, the band joined its forces with
Setanta dancing group.
"Traditional Irish music is, on the one hand, an art, which we respect and admire, and on the other hand, a phenomenon that gives us vast amounts of joy and satisfaction, and allows us to take a break from everyday reality. Duan (from Irish: poem, song), including in its meaning the word and the music, conveys what we wish to express best."
Band members:
Katarzyna Szyszkowska
fiddle
Graduated from the musicology department at the University of Warsaw. She's interested in the styles of traditional and contemporary violinists from all around the world. She was taught the art of traditional Irish music playing by such masters as Oisin McDiarmada (Sligo), James Kelly, Tommy Peoples, Paul O'Shoughnessy (Donegal) and Martin Hayes (Clare). Kasia's ease of style makes it possible to hear in her music, apart from traditional Irish forms, elements from traditional Iranian, Indian and Balkan music, but also modern influences: jazz harmonies, blues improvisations and rock riffs.
Kasia co-created "Manikut" band and currently plays first violin in
"4 non Brets" - a Breton music group.
Witek Kulczycki
tin whistle, Irish flute, bouzouki, vocal
He's truly passionate about traditional Irish playing, a dear admirer and diligent student of Belfast and Roscommon area flautists (Harry Bradley, John Wynne, Bernie Flaherty, Catherine McEvoy). He's also a tireless participant in many a workshop and music session, who finds even one evening on the west coast of Ireland worth the hardships of any travel. Fond of bartending and mountain wandering.
Tomek Urbański
accordion
He's a part of Duan from the very beginning of its creation. Before that, he used to play in "The Celtic Folk", and recently has had the pleasure of playing and recording with
"De Press". His phone is permanently attached to his ear, since he's the official managerial voice of Duan. When it comes to music, Irish traditional music is the one dear to his heart, but he also
enjoys listening to acoustic and jazz melodies.
Szymon Białek
acoustic guitar
Guitarist, Irish traditional music and jazz lover. While arranging traditional songs, Szymon freely draws on forms and means of expression characteristic to other music genres.
Jazz, funk, progressive rock and even classical music, played on acustic guitar with the use of all available techniques, give Irish traditional music more contemporary character,
while maintaining its original meaning. His first serious debut on the folk scene was with
"Dullahan" band, and he still plays in
"Riméad" and
"Stela".
Szymon lives in Warsaw; apart from playing, he also works on sound processing, and builds his own recording studio after hours.
Adam "Rorian" Kryński
bodhrán
Addicted to music multi-instrumentalist; used to play with "The Celtic Folk" and actively promoted Irish culture in Poland (TPI, "Website for Irish 'Fanatics'").
Although his body resides in Poland, his soul is enjoying the hospitality of XIXth century Ireland. He adores the world as presented in the
Robin of Sherwood series and/or
post-nuclear wastelands (in no particular order ;-).
Graphic designer or
developer by profession, non-practicing neo-pagan without driver's licence, he's strongly attached to his portable music player; because if not folk music and not
Clannad..., then it's
dark wave and ambient.
