There's Always Room in Our House

Tom Cussen: Tenor Banjo, Mandolin and Tenor Guitar

Tony Howley: Saxaphone, Concert Flute and Tin Whistle.

Tom Cussen, born in Broadford, Co. Limerick, always had an interest in Irish traditional or ceili music. This came from his parents, places where music was played and the radio. He started to play the accordion from aged 11 until 15, then played a little on a banjo mandolin His interest became more intense when he started going to ceili dances and listening to bands like the Tulla and Kilfenora. Moving to Galway in 1967, where the music was very strong, he continued to listen and learn.

In 1968 he went to work in London and it was during this time that Tom really got into the music and bought his first banjo. Tom says "I learned most of my music in London among great players like Johnny Clifford, Sean McDonagh, Jimmy Power, Bobby Casey, Maureen Minogue to name but a few." Here he played many sessions and gigs, with different combinations. Tom played with The Sugawn Folk Group and started with Shaskeen in 1970. He returned to live and work in Galway in 1971 and now resides in his adopted parish Clarinbridge, where he continues to play and make his 'Clareen Banjos'

Tony Howley, born Monlea, Aclare, Co. Sligo, started playing the tin whistle at the age of four years, inspired by his father Joe and brother Paddy. He began to play the concert flute at 8 years. Tony picked up the saxophone at the age of 12, influenced by local talents including Mike Marron, Martin Higgins and Mick Delahunty

Tony played with' the JP Boland band and went onto play with the Tommy Rowley band, traveling around the west of Ireland. He went to London in 1957 and became a well-known figure in the Irish music scene, playing with such notable musicians as Martin Burns (fiddle), Raymond Roland (accordion) and many, many more. Having moved to Manchester in 1965, Tony played in the Irish traditional music scene with the late Desi Donnelly. He later formed his own band and is still playing music in and around Manchester.

I met Tony whilst playing with Raymond Roland, Liam Farrell, Vincent Griffin; Paddy Taylor and friends in the Willesden Junction, Harlesden, London in 1963. The late Raymond Roland, with his great knowledge of traditional music, said this man was the best I would hear playing traditional reels and jigs on a saxophone. 40 years later, I have not been disjointed! Tony has never lost the lovely lilt in his music that is found in South County Sligo. His tone and tempo, combined with the relaxed rhythm he applies to his music, makes him a very special musician. Tony's playing, alone, would make this CD a must listen.

In 1969 The Old House ceili band was formed, in North London, to enter a Fleadh Ceol competition. We won the competition, beating sorne long established London ceili bands. The banjo player with that band was Tom Cussen, a young and aspiring player, full of enthusiam. Tom was playing in the Sugawn Folk Group and was part of the new progressive wave of Irish Folk, the forerunner to groups like The Pogues

I joined Tom to play at the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town with Johnny and Maureen Minogue from Clare and Galway respectively and Sean McDonagh from Carna, Co. Galway. Shaskeen mk 1. was born. We played there for a year or so and then, as all migrant musicians did at the time, we moved on.

I returned to my native Co. Galway in 1971, where by chance, I met Tom who had also returned to work in Galway. Tom suggested that we start Shaskeen mk2 in Galway, this time with PJ Hernon and John Dooley. The band travelled to all parts of the world over the next 30 years, playing a great style of traditional music and making many memorable recordings. Tom gained a reputation as one of the finest banjo players playing traditional music.

Tom and Tony met in 1969 at a session in the Prince Arthur on Caladonian Road in London and have been friends ever since. They decided to make a recording with the banjo and saxophone at the core. This has resulted in an exciting CD packed with the best selections, tastefully arranged and played.

Benny O’Connor  

Tom Cussen, born in Broadford, Co. Limerick, always had an interest in Irish traditional or ceili music. This came from his parents, places where music was played and the radio. He started to play the accordion from aged 11 until 15, then played a little on a banjo mandolin His interest became more intense when he started going to ceili dances and listening to bands like the Tulla and Kilfenora. Moving to Galway in 1967, where the music was very strong, he continued to listen and learn.

In 1968 he went to work in London and it was during this time that Tom really got into the music and bought his first banjo. Tom says "I learned most of my music in London among great players like Johnny Clifford, Sean McDonagh, Jimmy Power, Bobby Casey, Maureen Minogue to name but a few." Here he played many sessions and gigs, with different combinations. Tom played with The Sugawn Folk Group and started with Shaskeen in 1970. He returned to live and work in Galway in 1971 and now resides in his adopted parish Clarinbridge, where he continues to play and make his 'Clareen Banjos'

Tony Howley, born Monlea, Aclare, Co. Sligo, started playing the tin whistle at the age of four years, inspired by his father Joe and brother Paddy. He began to play the concert flute at 8 years. Tony picked up the saxophone at the age of 12, influenced by local talents including Mike Marron, Martin Higgins and Mick Delahunty

Tony played with' the JP Boland band and went onto play with the Tommy Rowley band, traveling around the west of Ireland. He went to London in 1957 and became a well-known figure in the Irish music scene, playing with such notable musicians as Martin Burns (fiddle), Raymond Roland (accordion) and many, many more. Having moved to Manchester in 1965, Tony played in the Irish traditional music scene with the late Desi Donnelly. He later formed his own band and is still playing music in and around Manchester.