The Kelz

The Keltz' music is based on traditional, celtic forrns. However, the concepts applied to these forms, such as improvising over the form of the tune and creating interest through tension and release by using ingoing and outgoing harmony, are ideas developed in the Jazz world. An extra twist is added to the music by the use of Indian percussion. There are parallels between Indian classical music and celtic music. Both are highly decorative, strongly rhythmic and linear, using patterns based on sets of scales.

If you are a follower of folk music, the styling and most of the instrumentation will be familiar to you. However, the improvised element may well be a surprise since it is rarely found in traditional folk music.

Jazz fans may well not recognise the jazz concepts in the music because of the celtic styling. However, once their ear is tuned in, they will easily identify with rhythmic statements from the tabla which subtly evolve throughout the pieces by way of variations, improvisation and complex beat displacement.

The Keltz are:

Sean O'Rourke
Founder member of the JSD Band and Alba. Sessioned with various people during this period including Supertramp and Andy Park. Worked with Savourna Stevenson for a short time in the early 80's as a folk based duo. He has also worked with Andy Park, Mike Gibbs, Marianne Faithful and John Taylor on music for BBC 2. Founder and originator of The Keltz.

Sean plays flute, sax, bouzouki, acoustic guitar, bass, flute, whistle and bodhran

Paul Henderson
Paul has been playing in the Scottish Jazz scene for some time now and is, without a doubt, one of the leading jazz guitarists in Scotland today.

Paul plays guitar & guitar synthesiser

Vijay Kangutkar
From Bombay, India. Vijay received traditional training in Indian classical music - vocal and instrumental from the eminent teacher and musician Pundit Taranath Rao. Vijay is well known for Indian Classical music as an accompanist and soloist and has worked with many of the leading musicians in India. Since coming to Glasgow he has, among other things, recorded "Footsteps of India" for the BBC along with Hamish Moore, worked with the Welsh Theatre company in their production of Jeckyl & Hyde, co-directed music for the Tag Theatre Co. and been involved with Fusion for Western and Indian drums.

Vijay plays percussion