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Biography: Edsall Road
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What happens when four musicians with backgrounds in American Fife and Drum Corps gather to share a common interest in Celtic Music? The result is a blend of traditional and modern Irish, Scottish and American Folk which keeps audiences all over the National Capital region banging their tables and shouting for more.
Known for their rich talent, entrancing rhythms and comic shenanigans, EDSALL ROAD pushes the limits of Celtic music while never leaving their traditional roots.
EDSALL ROAD's musical interests are diverse within the scope of traditional and folk music. They draw their songs from traditional Scots/Irish sources, the maritime tradition of Nova Scotia, standard Irish pub tunes and contemporary Irish and folk music as well.
EDSALL ROAD's repertoire of traditional tunes comes largely from the member's Fife and Drum Corps background. This is a bit of a diversion from the standard traditional group, however, it is by no means a digression. The band's instrumental selections are firmly rooted in the music of Scotland and Ireland, most of it coming from Eighteenth century sources. Of course, the band picks up tunes, like any good group of musicians, by listening to other musicians and drawing good tunes from recordings.
The genesis of EDSALL ROAD occurred during the summer of 1996 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Matt Tourville and Billy White were there, performing in the Nova Scotia International Military Tattoo with the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. While they were there, they discovered a similar interest in traditional Scots/Irish music. By the end of their trip to Nova Scotia, Matt and Billy were spending their days on the streets of Nova Scotia playing flute and bodhrán for crowds of passers-by.
After returning to Northern VA, Matt and Billy enlisted Charles White to form a trio. EDSALL ROAD, in this form, performed all over Northern VA and D.C. including stints at Brigadoons in Georgetown, Ireland's Four Provinces, Pat Troy's in Alexandria, Kate's Irish Pub, Ireland's Four Courts , Sine's and Sullivan's Irish Pub in Fredericksburg. In addition to playing the local pubs, EDSALL ROAD has headlined numerous concerts, benefits and Arts Festivals, including Williamsburg's "Occasion for the Arts" and done sound-track work for Colonial Williamsburg Video Productions. During this period, EDSALL ROAD also recorded their debut CD, "a long time coming…"
The last two years have seen roster changes as members have left the area. The current line-up regularly includes Billy White, Matt Tourville and Joshua Dukes who brings an outstanding new bodhrán and his low D whistle, with occasional visits from Bill White, Sr. and original drummer Charles. Despite the changes, EDSALL ROAD remains committed to performing the traditional music of Scotland and Ireland as well as some of the best contemporary Celtic folk and their own original compositions.
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