Rick Epping
Encyclopedia
Rick Epping is a California-born musician who has immersed himself in American old-time and Irish traditional music since the 1960s. He is an accomplished player of the harmonica
, concertina
, banjo
and jaw harp.
During the 1970s he lived in Ireland where he studied traditional Irish music. He was the 1975 All-Ireland Harmonica champion and a member of the successful folk group Pumpkinhead. He has recorded with many other Irish and American musicians and groups over the years, including Christy Moore
, Mick Hanly, Bob Zentz
, George Winston
, Mary Staunton
, Priscilla Herdman
and Robbin Thompson
.
He currently conducts workshops internationally for Hohner
harmonicas.
Epping has recently involved himself with a number of musicians and projects, including the trio "The Unwanted", which features himself, Dervish
singer Cathy Jordan and fiddler Seamus O'Dowd. Their 2009 CD Music Of The Atlantic Fringe was picked in Irish music publication Hot Press
as one of their top ten albums of the year.
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, concertina
Concertina
A concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It has a bellows and buttons typically on both ends of it. When pressed, the buttons travel in the same direction as the bellows, unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly to it...
, banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
and jaw harp.
During the 1970s he lived in Ireland where he studied traditional Irish music. He was the 1975 All-Ireland Harmonica champion and a member of the successful folk group Pumpkinhead. He has recorded with many other Irish and American musicians and groups over the years, including Christy Moore
Christy Moore
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
, Mick Hanly, Bob Zentz
Bob Zentz
Bob Zentz is an American musician and educator from Norfolk, Virginia who has been performing for more than thirty years. He is a guitarist and also plays the autoharp, lute, melodeon, mouth harp, banjo, concertina and mandolin...
, George Winston
George Winston
George Winston is an American pianist who was born in Michigan, and grew up mainly in Miles City, Montana as well as Mississippi and Florida. He attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida and lives in Santa Cruz, California.-Background:...
, Mary Staunton
Mary Staunton
Mary Staunton, Irish singer and musician.A native of County Mayo, Staunton realised her first, acclaimed, album in 1998. Her second, Circle of Friends, was launched in County Galway in July 2010. She is a singer and accordion player....
, Priscilla Herdman
Priscilla Herdman
Priscilla Herdman is an American folk singer. Although she has written songs, sheis notable chiefly for her interpretations of other artists' work....
and Robbin Thompson
Robbin Thompson
Robbin Thompson is an American singer-songwriter based in Richmond, Virginia. Since 1976 he has recorded several albums which have featured guest appearances by, among others, Melissa Manchester, Steve Cropper, Waddy Wachtel, Bruce Hornsby and Ellen McIlwaine...
.
He currently conducts workshops internationally for Hohner
Hohner
Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG is a company specialising in the manufacture of musical instruments. Founded in 1857 by Matthias Hohner , Hohner is identified especially with harmonicas and accordions. The Hohner company has invented and produced many different styles, and most of the...
harmonicas.
Epping has recently involved himself with a number of musicians and projects, including the trio "The Unwanted", which features himself, Dervish
Dervish (band)
Dervish are a traditional Irish music group from County Sligo, Ireland. They were formed in 1989 by Liam Kelly, Shane Mitchell, Martin McGinley, Brian McDonagh and Michael Holmes. The band was originally formed to record an album of local music which was later released as “The Boys of Sligo”. They...
singer Cathy Jordan and fiddler Seamus O'Dowd. Their 2009 CD Music Of The Atlantic Fringe was picked in Irish music publication Hot Press
Hot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
as one of their top ten albums of the year.
Discography
- Pumpkinhead – Pumpkinhead (Mulligan LUN 001; 1978)
- Jiggin’ the Blues (G2CD7011) with Frankie Gavin and Tim Edey
- Music Of The Atlantic Fringe with the Unwanted (2009)