Ruth Keggin is a Manx Gaelic singer-songwriter.[2] She holds degrees from the University of York and the University of Cambridge.[3]
Ruth Keggin | |
|---|---|
 Ruth Keggin performing with Nish As Rish at the Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1989 Isle of Man |
| Genres | Folk, Celtic |
| Occupation | musician |
| Instrument(s) | vocals, piano, flautist, whistle[1] |
| Years active | 2011-present |
| Labels | Purt Sheearan Records |
| Website | www |
Career
editIn 2011, as a member of Nish As Rish, Keggin won in the Best Newcomers category at the 2011 Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany, France.[4]
Keggin was awarded a grant by Culture Vannin to produce her 2014 debut solo album, Sheear ("Westward"), a collection of traditional and contemporary Manx songs praised as "bringing new life into the language with her music."[5][6] Keggin's album has held popularity in the Celtic genre, becoming album of the week on Celtic Music Radio[7] and listed as number one in Japan’s ‘Top 10’.[8]
Keggin released her second solo album, Turrys ("Journey"), in 2016. Critic Neil McFadyen, writing for the journal Folk Radio UK, praised the album and called her voice "clear, precise and a joy to hear."[9]
In September 2020 Keggin became the Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin, a foundation established by the government of the Isle of Man to promote Manx culture.[3]
In March 2021, Keggin and Scottish harpist Rachel Hair launched a joint crowdfunding campaign to produce a debut duo album to consist primarily of songs in the Manx language. These will include both traditional songs and songs by contemporary Manx musicians. They reached their target goal of £5,000 within 12 hours of launching the campaign and achieved a stretch goal of £10,000 after 48 hours. Some matching funds were provided by Creative Scotland. The album has also received funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council.[10]
Current and Former Collaborators
edit- Erlend Apneseth - hardanger fiddle
- Tom Callister - fiddle[11]
- David Kilgallon
- Vanessa McWilliam - double bass
- Margit Myhr - voice, hardanger fiddle
- Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin - Irish flautist and sean-nós singer
- David Pearce - guitar
- Rachel Hair - harp
Discography
edit| Title | Release |
|---|---|
| Sheear (‘Westward’)[12] | 2014 |
| Turrys[13] | 2016 |
See also
edit- Julie Fowlis, sings in Scottish Gaelic
- Mary Black, sings in Irish
- Gwenno Saunders, sings in Welsh and Cornish
References
edit- ^ "Ruth Keggin". Manx Music.
- ^ "Celtic Family Magazine Summer Issue 2015". celticfamilymagazine.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Ruth Keggin Gell". Culture Vannin. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Isle of Man folk group wins Celtic festival competition". BBC News. 22 August 2011.
- ^ "Ruth Keggin solo album - Sheear". culturevannin.im.
- ^ "Singer Ruth Keggin 'breathes life' into ancient language". BBC News. 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Album of the Week: Ruth Keggin with 'Sheear'". celticmusicradio.net.
- ^ "TOP 10 June 2014 » Irish Music Magazine". irishmusicmagazine.com.
- ^ McFadyen, Neil (10 August 2016). "RUTH KEGGIN: TURRYS". Folk Radio UK. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Rachel and Ruth - a debut duo album!". Crowdfunder. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Ruth Keggin – CD Album Launch at the Centenary Centre - Isle of Man News :: isleofman.com". isleofman.com.
- ^ "Living Tradition CD review of RUTH KEGGIN - Sheear". livingtradition.co.uk.
- ^ Robert McMillen (3 February 2017). "Trad/roots: Adventures in Manx with Ruth Keggin's album Turrys". The Irish News. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
