Seán Whelan is a guitarist and producer working in the Irish and World Music arena who started learning guitar from the age of 9 and is now much in demand as both a studio and live musician. He has played guitar through a cross-section of styles from Irish Music/ Jazz /Swing/Classical/World music and has established himself as a forerunner in Acoustic music by the passion, creativity and versatility of his playing.
The inspiration provided by the scenic beauty of West Cork is reflected in his compositions on his debut album “End of Autumn”and he has also released his latest “From Gray to Blue”album which includes recordings with some of Ireland's top traditional and Jazz players.
He is also a member of the contemporary Irish/Jazz music ensemble Puck Fair featuring legendary Flautist Brian Dunning and has released and produced a cd with them and played many Festivals such as The Convergence Chamber Music Festival in Bratislava and The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.
Also a former member of Irish Jazz group Hotfoot and having recorded on their debut album,Seán went on to tour with blues singer Mary Coughlan and also with Irish fiddle talent Máire Breatnach(Riverdance) with whom he had previously played together with in the Traditional Irish group Méristem including several performances on The Late Late Show and the BBC.
Seán Whelan has toured extensively with various artists including Japanese Singer Kokia,Shaylee,Puck Fair,The Cáfe Orchestra , Singer Seán Keane, Gaelforce Dance Show,Niamh Ní Charra,Violinists Lars Kristensen and Anker Buch in Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe, North America and Japan..He has presented teaching workshops on the Irish guitar technique worldwide.
His involvement with the Celtic Guitar Celebration at Vicar Street, Dublin was a unique opportunity to play alongside fellow Guitarists such as Arty McGlynn.
Seán was the Musical Director and Guitarist/Arranger for Japanese singer KOKIA and her very popular “Fairydance” album recorded in Dublin released on the Anco label and distributed by Victor Entertainment in Japan.The success of this recording followed on with large performances in Tokyo,Osaka,Paris and Dublin and a number of subsequent recordings for the singer.
Also he worked on 2 Japanese albums by the group Milly la Foret(Partager,Bois Bleu) and Shaylee(Light and Shadow) and Yoko Takano(Moruadh) as a mix engineer/musical supervision and session musician.
He presented and composed the music for an Irish Travelogue film for Japanese Television shown throughout Japan and travelled from Dublin to the West coast of Ireland while filming at the scenic locations en route with a Japanese Film crew.This production was also sponsored by The Irish Tourist Board.
Seán also provided the soundtrack for the Irish Rugby Football Union DVD “Come the Hour”which was released by RTE/IRFU/EMI.
Also he is a skilled Studio Engineer and Producer and from his home studio has recorded/mixed/arranged many albums for clients at home and abroad.
