Stephen Leeson – Sirius Arts Centre Mar 25th

Stephen Leeson, former lead singer with The Dublin City Ramblers to officially launch his solo career in March. Stephen Leeson former lead singer with the well renowned Irish folk group “The Dublin City Ramblers” will officially launch his solo career in The Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh Co. Cork on Friday March 25^th.  Stephen will use the fabulous Dublin based group “Whiskey Still” as his backing band on the night to electrify the stage with a repertoire of folk, trad and a bit of bluegrass.

Support on the night will also be provided by Cork based contemporary singer, Darren Andrews who may be new to the Cork scene but is going down a storm in the last few months he has been performing here.  Tickets for the event are priced at €12 but with a superb line up, it guarantees to be a great night of Irish music and talent.

Stephen Leeson is a really talented singer/songwriter who was a former member of Dublin Folk Band “The Dublin City Ramblers”, whom have a lot of famous tunes to their credit, which includes the classic hit, “The Rare Auld Times”. Joining the Dublin City Ramblers as their lead singer at the tender age of 21 years, Stephen played with the band for a number of years.

An enchanting young man who sings with great passion, heart and soul, Stephen Leeson, is best known for his unique voice, his impeccable stage presence and his versatility as a musician, with the capabilities of playing:  The Guitar, Five String Banjo, Bodhran, The Harmonica, Bones and Spoons. Currently working on his second album, this Irish Folk Singer is back on the road once again, as, he returns home to the Emerald Isle to officially launch his solo career in The Sirius Arts Centre on the 25^th, March 2011.  Stephen Leeson is currently gearing up for his Irish gigs which commenced in mid January and will see him travel to many parts of Ireland throughout the year and looks forward to releasing his second album in the forthcoming months.

Stephen Leeson was born and raised in Tallaght which is situated on the southside of Dublin.  With one older sister and a younger brother, Stephen was an active young child who was involved in various sports ranging from:  football, hurling, soccer, basketball, Thai boxing, Tae Quando, surfing amongst others.  However, with a family that is stepped in Traditional Irish music, it wouldn’t take long before the sounds of various musical instruments would encapsulate his heart.

“Since I found out that I could sing….all I ever wanted was to sing and play music and that is all I’ll ever what to do….that is, play music and entertain people”.

Stephen learnt the craft of his trade at a very young age, as his father is part of the long established Dublin Folk Band “Whiskey Still”. Stating that his father and Paddy Sweeney of the band Barleycorn, are his biggest influences, Stephen has had the privilege of performing with many great artists himself in his young life so far.  He took on the role of lead front man and singer with Irish Bands “Dublin Legacy” and “Porter Black”, as well as, playing alongside the talents of:  Finbar Furey, Sean Og McKenna, Barney McKenny (Dubliners), Philip McCaffrey, Brian McCormac (Barleycorn), Paddy Sweeney (Barleycorn), Donal White, George Murphy (You’re a Star), Mike Hanrahan (Stockton’s Wing) and Maurice Lennon (Stocktons Wing), amongst other talented Irish musicians whilst sharing the stage well Tommy Flemming.

Stephen has performed in various venues both at home and abroad and spent three years playing numerous festivals throughout Ireland, other European countries, as well as, America and parts of Asia with the Dublin City Ramblers.

During Stephen’s time with the Ramblers, this well renowned Irish folk band were presented with a gold album from “Dolphin Records”, for sales of their CD’s and continued to play in many venues throughout the world, with Stephen loving every minute of it.  Stephen learnt quite a bit when he was touring with “The Dublin City Ramblers” and it clearly shows in his professionalism, mannerism and his on stage presence.  The way he can captivate his audience and carries them away with his angelic voice that is deepened with emotion throughout each and every song he performs.  With an ability to work the stage and engage with his fans, his performance leaves an impressionable impact that is not only memorable but special for everyone that has had the opportunity to experience his live shows, leaving him in huge demand both at home and abroad.

Looking forward to officially launching his solo career in The Sirius Arts Centre Cobh on March 25^th, Stephen Leeson will have the fabulous Dublin Group “Whiskey Still” as his backing band on the night and you will hear him perform numerous well loved Irish Ballads ranging from “The Ferryman, Carrickfergus, The Contender, Freemantle Bay, Hard Times, 19 Arches, Galway Girl”, the list is endless.  Stephen also plans on incorporating some of his own new material from his forthcoming album on which he is currently putting the final touches too.

One of Stephen’s main ambitions is to keep recording both his own tunes, as well as, a few cover versions of classic Irish traditional songs and to keep entertaining with live shows as much as possible.

An incredible young man with an extraordinary voice, with big achievable goals within reach, Stephen Leeson no doubt has a long and prosperous career ahead of him.