The Isles of Rhythm perform a mix of Caribbean, Irish, and Ragtime music. This project demonstrates Christmas music played using these various rhythmical styles.
Kevin Sanders - Guitar, acoustic bass guitar, banjo-ukulele, banjo-guitar, harmonica, percussion. Throughout his more than 40 years of writing music, Kevin has composed several songs and instrumental pieces. A folio titled, Pound That Melody! , contains seven of his pieces for piano. As a founding member of The Etcetera String Band, a well–known Ragtime string group, Kevin traveled throughout the country performing at Ragtime and Folk music festivals, including the Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C., by invitation of the Smithsonian. He appeared on all four of the band’s highly acclaimed recordings, appeared in two PBS -TV specials: The Cradle of Ragtime and in concert at Mississippi State University, and on a National Public Radio special report on thefamous Kansas City dancer “Doc” Brown. His interest in music research has led to published articles in the Rag -Times and the Kansas City Rag -Time Revelry. He has given symposiums and was interviewed for Uniquely Kansas City, a television documentary on the history of the arts in Kansas City, produced by the local PBS station KCPT-TV.
Pat Ireland – Violin.Along with Kevin Sanders, Pat Ireland was a founding member of The Etcetera String Band. Although classically trained, Pat developed an early affinity for earthier forms of music and is a frequent competitor in old-time fiddle contests, of which he has won many. Today, he is a music teacher and a prolific composer who has written in many musical genres. For many years, Pat led a contemporary Jazz band, The Unbound and released a highly acclaimed CD. Pat has released CDs of traditional old-time fiddle tunes and his original fiddle tunes. A much sought after session musician, he has appeared on many local recordings.
Keith Van Winkle.Mandolin, penny whistle, (violin on Merry Christmas Tonight).Keith’s background is in Irish and other types of Celtic music including Scottish and Breton. Keith has played in a number of bands including Gabriel’s Gate and is currently in The Three Dollar Band. He can also be heard on the soundtrack for the Australian movie Bellflower, as well as on the first album by the Irish band Scartaglen, which included the popular singer Connie Dover. Keith has also performed with the Scottsdale Arizona Symphony Orchestra, appeared at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival and toured with the Missouri Repertory Theatre. He has played and provided arrangements on recordings for singer songwriters. As a writer, Keith has composed a number of fine reels, jigs, waltzes and other instrumental pieces.
Paul Mast – Vocals.Paul Mast comes from a family that has performed Ragtime, Jazz, and Classical music for over 95 years. His grandfather, Clare Mast, a Ragtime pianist and composer, performed in vaudeville and wrote The Kaiser’s Rag, published in 1915 at age 19 for his fiancé. Paul’s father, John Clare Mast, performed professionally as a Jazz pianist throughout the country. Bucking his family tradition, Paul played trumpet, his instrument of choice, in marching and concert bands at the University of Kansas, and has performed at both Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals games. Paul is currently the Director of Children’s Music at his church and is an active member of the choir . During his career, Paul entered several vocal competitions and has won them all. He was chosen for the Kansas State Music Education Association Choir, and was fourth ranked bass/baritone in the state.
Theresa Gergick – Vocals.Theresa first realized that she wanted to be a singer in the third grade when the parish priest, hearing her sing in the front row of the children’s choir, told her that she had a really good voice. She may have picked up her singing abilities at home, since her parents were both talented singers. In high school, Theresa sang in the choir, the Chieftain Singers and girl’s glee club. She went on to sing at State high school competitions, where she always received the highest score. Currently, Theresa sings at weddings, Karaoke bars, and for a variety of local events. She is also an active member and soloist for her church choir
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