Ryan Powell

I offer a full sounding multi-instrumental solo act which incorporates songs from Ireland and Scotland, celtic guitar, Irish low whistle, live looping, readings of Yeats poetry over guitar and Irish Bouzouki, everything from lively rhythmic Bodhran tunes to soulful ballads such as "The Croppy Boy" and "Spancil Hill" and original pieces. Expect a different taste of Celtic music with a sincere heart along with stories of travel in Ireland. My aim is to provide a connection to the Celtic spirit within each of us through music, story and song.

I travel with a beautiful sounding Bose L1 compact pa system ready to set up for your event.

Ryan Powell was indoctrinated at birth into a lifetime love of Irish music by his father John who sang him the old ballads in his deep voice whenever he had the chance and a captive audience. Ryan took up guitar and whistle at a young age and began to play ballads after his first visit to Ireland as a young teenager in 1986. During the early 1990’s, Ryan lived in Ireland for 6 months and busked the streets of Galway and Dublin while studying James Joyce with Senator David Norris and absorbing the rich culture and music of the east and west of the country.

In the mid 1990’s, Ryan formed the Celtic Rock band Blind Rafferty which played all around the Pacific Northwest for 6 years and recorded two albums.

Today, Ryan weaves together his study of Daoist philosophy, martial arts and energy cultivation with his love of Irish music and lore. He guides the One Root Sacred Ireland journey to the SW of Ireland every few years and orchestrates a deep tour of the land which includes local storytellers and guides and daily health building Qigong practice.