John Hoban
Rossport 5
New Album
Musician/Artist
Collaborations
Images
Projects
Teacher
Vision
Listen to his song
Contact John
Back to Castlebar
'He would make music out of a sheaf of oats'
Last updated
April 9th, 2001
Castlebar singer songwriter John Hoban
| John Hoban was born in Castlebar in 1954. Forty-six years later, on his CV, under
work experience we read: "Music has been my life. I play all instruments
e.g. guitar, harmonica, banjo, whistles, bodhran, violin. My main instrument
is my voice accompanied by mando-cello. I sing and compose songs, poetry,
stories". |
Back to top |
Song For The Rossport 5
| TREASON Come gather 'round friends, I'll tell you a hell of a tale |
 |
Musician/Artist
John Hoban chose to learn his music with care, over many years, from some of
Ireland's most respected musicians and was content to transmit the music
without inflicting "embellishments" on what he already knew was perfect.
Thankfully, he has refused to listen to the many voices which continually
try to entice him to abandon the path of the artist.
John is very well
known at all the better gatherings of traditional musicians in his native
County Mayo, from Carrowtigue to Ballyhaunis and from Charlestown to Clare
Island, but he has devoted groups of admirers in such diverse locations as
Brittany, Istanbul, London, Ontario, New York, San Francisco and Sydney-not
to mention Galway, Clare and Sligo.
Perhaps better known as an accomplished
player of fiddle, banjo and mando-cello, John is also a singer and a
composer of wonderful songs and music. Listen to the work of John and
you'll hear music from the heart -from the heart of a true modern-day
minstrel, authentic and sincere.
Written by: Christy Tynan, Castlebar
Back to top
Collaborations
John Hoban is highly regarded in Ireland and internationally for the unique and deeply personal nature of his music. He has played with people like Sharon Shannon, Johnny Mulhern, Tommy Peoples, James O'Malley, John Doherty and groups like Muigheo, Arcady, General Humbert, Bumblebees to name but a few.
Recently, John has been included in Sharon Shannon's new CD "The Diamond Mountain Sessions" singing his original song "Slan Le Van". Jackson Browne, John Prine, Steve Earl and Carlos Nunez are included on the same CD.
John is also represented in a Mayo Compilation CD for Hospice alongside, Matt Malloy, Laoise Kelly, Mick Lally and others.
Back to top
Projects
1. The Cultural Poverty of the Irish Emigrant
What John Hoban started off, as a three-day seminar (on The Cultural Poverty of the Irish Emigrant) is now an annual event in Detroit.
2. Storytelling - the Art
John gives classes in Seattle for artists and writers on "Storytelling - the Art".
3. Music Therapy
John has worked at various music therapy projects in New York City, e.g.
Music for Homeless People, Music for the Elderly etc. On these projects
he has worked with top music therapist, Noah Shapiro. In Windsor he worked
with refugees from Bosnia, Lebanon, Somalia on "Music is Our First
Language".
Back home in Castlebar he worked as Music Director and performer in "Mise
Freisin "- Interactive Theatre for people with disability.
4. The Shamrock Traditional Irish Society
He was a founder member of The Shamrock Traditional Irish Society in Fairfield, Connecticut, and developed teaching and music philosophy for the group. He has taught music to all ages all over the world and has played professionally, solo and with bands, in clubs, schools, pubs and concert halls.
Back to top
Teacher
His music biography sums it up: "John's method of teaching music is to focus on the individual plus work on individual expression in a group/community setting. His work is to give children or adults (big children) the basic skills of music-making, then to help them find their own tone and rhythm in the music they make. His work helps people to develop and flow with their natural ability and intuition in music."What he believes to be true in all cases is the African proverb; 'If you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance'. Central to John's work is listening to and learning from each of his students.
'Mol an óige'
Encouragement is vital and he lives by the Gaelic proverb, "Mol an
Oige agus tiocfaidh siad leat" - praise the children and they will
respond.
Back to top
Vision
He says: " My vision is to continue making
cultural contributions as a Musician/Artist from Castlebar".
Future
His plans for the future are to compose,
play and teach music and to write a book about his teaching methods. He
hopes to develop music in and around Castlebar with a view to employing
others and contributing to the community and economy through cultural
means.
Listen
Here is your opportunity to hear John sing. Simply click on the links below to listen to his song.
Castle Lane
Born In Mayo
More clips of John's Songs will be available on this site soon so please check back regularly
Contact John:
John Hoban,
c/o Clark's,
Davitt's Terrace,
Castlebar,
Co. Mayo,
Ireland
Telephone: +353-94-38342
Email: John
Hoban@hotmail.com
Back to top
Back to Castlebar