Josephine Marsh: Artist Spotlight
Accordionist and TG4's Composer of the Year 2020, Josephine Marsh is a musician renowned for her highly distinctive and personalised style. Critics have described her playing as loose, free, spiritual, uplifting, and flowing. Josephine has enjoyed a global career, touring worldwide both as a solo musician/teacher and with her own band. A notable highlight was her 1999 musical collaboration with Niamh Parsons and Pat Marsh for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations on Capitol Hill. She has released three solo albums, in addition to one with The Josephine Marsh Band, and has collaborated with various artists over the years, including singers like Mick Hanly and Seán Tyrrell.
She hails from a musically rich east Clare/Co Meath family, with her father Paddy being her earliest musical influence. Josephine began her musical journey at age eight and by twenty, she was recording her first album with Cyril O'Donoghue. Since then, she has recorded three more albums: 'Josephine Marsh,' 'I Can Hear You Smiling' with her band (The Josephine Marsh Band), and the 2018 release 'Music in the Frame.'
In 2020, Josephine received the Gradam Ceoil Award for Composer of the Year at The Waterfront Theatre in Belfast. Over the years, she has been commissioned to compose music for RTE Irish radio and ITMA ('Into a Brighter Day' – hornpipe, 2020), TG4 ('A Naomh Brid’ – Planxty’ for Ceol O Kylemore, Ceiluradh na mBan 2021), and Music Network ('Spideog' and 'The Coffee House', 2018). She composed 'The Coffee House' and 'Spideog,' performed with her band at the Gradam Ceoil Awards. In 2003, she was the Musician in Residence in Mountshannon, Co Clare, where she composed 'The Music of Ghosts' score, later recorded and aired by Lyric Fm.
Josephine Marsh is one of masterclass teachers at Llar Trad Fest june 29-July 01
Josephine's vibrant collaborations have included performances with musicians from Quebec, Brittany, Wales, and Scotland. She has been part of three Music Network tours, the latest in 2000 with Laoise Kelly, Tara Breen, and Nell Ní Chróinín. Her music has been featured on albums alongside artists such as Mick Hanly, Niamh Parsons, Sean Tyrrell, Gerry Lynch, Sean Garvey, and Tim Flannery, among others.
Her radio and TV appearances include BBC World Service, 'Sult' with Donal Lunny, 'Nationwide,' 'Síbín,' 'A Prairie Home Companion' with Garrison Keillor, The Pat Kenny Show, 'Floisc,' and more recently 'PORT' for TnaG and BBC Alba with Mick Kinsella on harmonica, 'Céird an Cheoil' for TnaG, 'The Full Set,' and the latest in January 2021 (TG4) - ‘Ceiliúradh an Cheoil’ from Kylemore Abbey.
In 2016, Josephine was featured in the 'Bean an cheoil' series (TG4), celebrating women in Irish music. National Geographic included 'The Shepherd,' a track from her first solo album, in a film about the Great Famine in Ireland, narrated by Gabriel Byrne, which also featured music from The Chieftains and Zan McCloud.
Her compositions have been widely recorded by artists like Cherish the Ladies and Mick McGoldrick, and her tune 'Phyllis Birthday' has appeared on 25 albums. 'Anna Foxe' from her latest album 'Music in the Frame' has been recorded by Japanese musicians Junji Shirota and Mareka Naito, receiving significant viewership on YouTube.
Josephine's travels as a performer and music teacher have taken her to Australia, Europe, and America, where she has collaborated with artists like Dublin's Niamh Parsons, notably performing on Capitol Hill for St. Patrick's Day in 1999.
Her latest album, 'Music in the Frame,' showcases nine original compositions alongside traditional tunes. The album features a cast of guest musicians: Mick Kinsella on harmonica, Seamus Cahill on guitar, Pat Marsh on bouzouki, Angelina Carberry on banjo, her sons Jack and Andrew Kinsella on pipes and banjo, Steve Larkin on fiddle, Gerry Madden on mandolin, and Blathnaid Marsh on piano.
This summer, Josephine will launch a book featuring her original compositions, which will add another dimension to her rich musical legacy.
Josephine Marsh is celebrated as a consummate traditional musician, revered for her style, presence, and originality. She enjoys a global reputation where traditional music is played and appreciated and is known for her creative spirit, evident in her many original compositions. Her music, described as loose, free, spiritual, simple, joyous, and flowing, continues to bring happiness and uplift to audiences worldwide.
L’escañu - Tales from the llar
First Encounter with Traditional Music: Can you recall your first memory of traditional music?
I encountered traditional music both at home from my father and also at school. My father taught me my first traditional tunes like polkas, jigs and some simple reels. My headmaster in national school was a keen singer and taught us all to play whistle.
Musical beginnings: When did you start playing music and what was your first instrument?
I began to play music around the age of 7 years at home and school. The accordion was my first instrument and also whistle in school.
Musical evolution: Did you change instruments? If so, when and why?
I didn’t switch instruments but was always curious about how to play other instruments so I would borrow instruments from friends or have a go on their instruments. I taught myself other instrumnets later on like the fiddle, mandolin, concertina, etc.
Musical Influences: What was your first favourite band? What album have you played/sung the most?
I grew up in the age of De Dannan, Stockton’s Wing and would have learned many of their tunes like many of my peers at the time. I probably didn’t have a favourite band but listened to a lot of bands like the aforementioned bands. I liked Patrick Street as a group because of their unusual tunes and the line up they had.
Desert Island Essentials: If stranded on a desert island, which three items would you take?
The accordion has to come first anyway, toothbrush and phone.
Dream Dinner Party: If you could have a last supper, who would be your five guests dead or alive?
Interesting: if it was a last supper (which would have to include all my family and friend) the additional 5 musical guests would be JJ Cale, Sandy Denny, Joe Cooley, Paddy Canny and Maria Callas!
Musical Inspirations: Which bands or musicians have been your greatest influence?
Some of my musical influences as I mentioned were my dad, Paddy and my headmaster, Niall O Donnell. Other influences were Deirdre O Brien Vaughan (music teacher), Paula O Regan fiddler growing up. Jackie Daly was/is a player that I love to listen to and have learned a lot of his music from over the years. The accordion player Johnny McCarthy from Ennis, Co Clare was also a big influence on me growing up. I attended his sessiuns as a teenager and learned a lot by listening to him.
Love for Asturian Music: What captivates you most about Asturian music?
For me what is captivating about Asturian music is the passion with which the musicians play it and the connection between the Celtic music’s of other countries. This to me is what is exciting and I’m looking forward to learning more about the music and the culture whilst there.
Recent Tunes: What's the last CD or album you listened to?
The Corey Family record.
Memorable performance: Can you share a particularly memorable or meaningful performance experience?
In 2020 when I was awarded the Gradam Ceol by TG4 in Belfast, I performed with my son (playing mandolin) who was 14 years old at the time and members of my family and my old band. It was a very special night for everyone.
Personal Connection: Is there a particular song or piece of music that holds special meaning for you?
In general any of the tunes my father taught me when I was young because of that connection and it was our time together. Some of these tunes I recorded later on for example 2 polkas I called Paddy’s Polkas and on my last CD Paddy Marsh’s reel which he taught me one summer’s day whilst digging the garden and whistling it to me at the same time. Nice memories.
Advice for aspiring musicians: What advice would you give to someone starting out in traditional music?
My advice to someone starting out in traditional music is to listen to the music and the older players to understand where it came from and then go explore the music further but get grounded first. Sit with older players and listen to what’s happening in the music. Play lots of sessiuns!
Impact of technology: How has technology influenced the way you play or teach music?
I am not too affected by technology but am very grateful for apps like ZOOM and whatsapp in particular during the pandemic. It was vital during this time in order to keep classes going and to connect with other players. I used the video facility on the phone to send demonstration videos for my weekly classes and in my opinion it’s the equivalent of a mini lessons every day if students choose to do that.
Musical dreams: If you could collaborate with any musician, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
I would like to collaborate with Kevin Burke. We have played a bit in the past few years but would like to play more.I feel we have a similar movement in our music and knock a bit of fun out it too. We have unusual tunes in common also.
