Sean Potts
Encyclopedia
Seán Potts is an Irish musician. He is a native of Drimnagh
(suburb in South Dublin) and was born there in 1930. He is best known for his outstanding tin whistle
playing and his duty with The Chieftains
from 1962 to 1979.
, and they often went around Dublin playing in sessions and gigging during the 1950s. In 1962, Potts helped form The Chieftains. He briefly left the group in 1968 for a contract with Gael-Linn Records
but returned to play for the band soon after. He was primarily a whistle player, although he also played the bodhrán
and bones
. He played with the band until 1979, when the pressures of the music scene (and touring) prompted him to leave the band for an easier life.
's group "Ceoltoirí Chualann".
After The Chieftains, Potts did a lot of radio work for RTE and founded Bakerswell, with whom he undertook several fund-raising tours for NPU in the United States. In 1972, while still with The Chieftains, Potts and Paddy Moloney, along with Peader Mercier (another Chieftains member) recorded an album called Tin Whistles where both Potts and Moloney played just tin whistle tunes accompanied by a bodhrán to show the versatility of the instrument in the hands of two accomplished masters.
in Dublin.
. However, he admitted that he never felt quite comfortable with the instrument and, after a few years at the pipes, he gave up and went back to the whistle.
, who was one of Ireland's most distinctive fiddlers, and Eddie Potts, who was both a piper and a fiddler and jazz musician playing saxophone in many of Dublin's music venues. Seán's aunt Teresa was also an accomplished musician playing accordion and piano on the music circuit in the 50's, his aunt Mary (Sister Kevin presentation order) was a teacher of music in the convent school in An Daingean, Co. Kerry. His cousin Patrick was choirmaster of St.Gabriels Church Clontarf. The next generation of the Potts family, Seán Óg, is already an established traditional musician on the uilleann pipes. Seán Óg played in Bakerswell with his father and also in the Donal Lunny Band
. He has also released a solo album and has toured extensively with many other players and groups doing concerts and workshops at music festivals.
Drimnagh
Drimnagh is a suburb of Dublin, Ireland, situated on the Southside of the city between Walkinstown, Crumlin and Inchicore, bordering the Grand Canal to the north and east. Drimnagh is in postal district Dublin 12.-Early to Medieval:...
(suburb in South Dublin) and was born there in 1930. He is best known for his outstanding tin whistle
Tin whistle
The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
playing and his duty with The Chieftains
The Chieftains
The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
from 1962 to 1979.
With The Chieftains
Seán Potts was one of the founding members of The Chieftains. He was great friends with fellow band member and whistle player Paddy MoloneyPaddy Moloney
Paddy Moloney is one of the founders of the Irish musical group The Chieftains and has played on every one of their albums.He was born in Donnycarney in Dublin. His mother bought him a tin whistle when he was six and at the age of eight he started to learn the Uilleann pipes. He also plays button...
, and they often went around Dublin playing in sessions and gigging during the 1950s. In 1962, Potts helped form The Chieftains. He briefly left the group in 1968 for a contract with Gael-Linn Records
Gael-Linn Records
Gael Linn Records is an Irish record label, run by the Irish language promotion organisation Gael Linn.Gael Linn released records by many of the world's most renowned Gaelic and Irish Traditional musicians known today...
but returned to play for the band soon after. He was primarily a whistle player, although he also played the bodhrán
Bodhrán
The bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
and bones
Bones (instrument)
The bones are a musical instrument which, at the simplest, consists of a pair of animal bones, or pieces of wood or a similar material. Sections of large rib bones and lower leg bones are the most commonly used true bones, although wooden sticks shaped like the earlier true bones are now more...
. He played with the band until 1979, when the pressures of the music scene (and touring) prompted him to leave the band for an easier life.
Other bands
Before The Chieftains, Seán Potts was an original member of Seán Ó RiadaSeán Ó Riada
Seán Ó Riada , was a composer and perhaps the single most influential figure in the revival of Irish traditional music during the 1960s...
's group "Ceoltoirí Chualann".
After The Chieftains, Potts did a lot of radio work for RTE and founded Bakerswell, with whom he undertook several fund-raising tours for NPU in the United States. In 1972, while still with The Chieftains, Potts and Paddy Moloney, along with Peader Mercier (another Chieftains member) recorded an album called Tin Whistles where both Potts and Moloney played just tin whistle tunes accompanied by a bodhrán to show the versatility of the instrument in the hands of two accomplished masters.
Today
Seán Potts has retired from the traditional scene, but he can still be found playing at traditional festivals around the country and occasionally abroad. He is also the former Chairman (now Honorary President) of Na Píobairí UilleannNa Píobairí Uilleann
Na Píobairí Uilleann is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the Irish Uilleann pipes and its music.-Organisation:...
in Dublin.
Other instruments
Potts also played the bodhrán and bones, and attempted to learn the uilleann pipesUilleann pipes
The uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
. However, he admitted that he never felt quite comfortable with the instrument and, after a few years at the pipes, he gave up and went back to the whistle.
Family
Seán Potts' family was surrounded with the music from his grand father John Potts an accomplished uillean piper to his uncle Tommy PottsTommy Potts
Tommy Potts was a improvisational Irish fiddle player and composer from Dublin who gained iconic status in traditional Irish music circles for his virtuoso musicianship. He has influences in jazz and classical music, making his music a highly individualistic take on the Irish music tradition...
, who was one of Ireland's most distinctive fiddlers, and Eddie Potts, who was both a piper and a fiddler and jazz musician playing saxophone in many of Dublin's music venues. Seán's aunt Teresa was also an accomplished musician playing accordion and piano on the music circuit in the 50's, his aunt Mary (Sister Kevin presentation order) was a teacher of music in the convent school in An Daingean, Co. Kerry. His cousin Patrick was choirmaster of St.Gabriels Church Clontarf. The next generation of the Potts family, Seán Óg, is already an established traditional musician on the uilleann pipes. Seán Óg played in Bakerswell with his father and also in the Donal Lunny Band
Dónal Lunny
Dónal Lunny is an Irish folk musician. Lunny has been at the forefront of the evolution of traditional Irish music for more than thirty-five years and has participated within the renaissance of traditional Irish music in that time period...
. He has also released a solo album and has toured extensively with many other players and groups doing concerts and workshops at music festivals.