Tad Sargent
Tad Sargents love of Ireland and Irish music stem from his childhood holidays in west Ireland. His Grandfather was a Mayo man, but it's in Dingle, Co.Kerry where Tad was infected with a passion for Irish music. His parents had a great collection of music such as The Chieftains, Altan and numerous other bands, which were played none stop on car journeys around the Dingle peninsula. Subsequently, mixed with stunning views such as Brandon Mountain, The Connor pass and the Blaskets, Tad grew to love the music and the Culture of Ireland.
Stumbling across a session some six years after leaving Ireland, He made a nuisance of himself at the bar by attempting to sing all the old songs he and his family used to sing in Ireland. After a while he began to understand the social structure of the music session, and for a year enjoyed a few pints (legally of course) at the bar listening to great musicians such as Mick O'Connor, Paul Gallagher and many other fine london session musicians. There was aways a bodhran player at the session. His name was John Gilmartin. He gave Tad his first lesson. "always on the beat and not too loud". It was to be the beginning for Tad as John then gave him his drum to practice on for very long while!
Years on Tad has bought his own bodhrans and has learnt how to compliment the music he accompanies. There are many great Bodhran players around now, and Learning of each one Tad has developed his own unique style of playing.
The biggest advance in Bodhran playing as been the use of the top end of the stick and more recently, the tuning of the drum to achieve a melodic pitch. Working on this, Tad began to experiment with different base lines from popular rock songs. Applying the right amount of pressure on the back of the skin and the correct beat, Tad was able to mimic base lines from 'Queen' 'Michael Jackson' and other popular songs.
Tad then went to work on his first project 'Billie Bodhran'. It was an experiment to see what sounds could be achieved from the bodhran using all the techniques he had previously learnt.
He has worked with the BBC on numerous accasions. notably performing for the drama series 'Waking the Dead' and appearing on 'Friday Night is Music Night'. He has also recorded with Guy Richie's 'Punch Bowl Band', Brian Kelly and many others. He recently worked on the soundtrack to 'Burke and Hare'. He has played with some of the finest musicians and bands in London including Brian Kelly, Orlaith McAuliffe, Sam Proctor, Colman Connolly, Paddy Egan, Claire Tchaikowski, Hungry Grass, The Long Notes, John Devine, Boris Purushottama, Darren Breslin and many more. Tad has played in many venues across london and gigs frequently out of town as well. Some of his more notable venues have been the Irish Embassy and The Royal Albert Hall.
Tads teaching is also well known in London. He is the resident bodhran teacher at the Irish Cultural centre in Hammersmith.