Rakish and Nate Sabat in Concert

January 26
4:30pm 

Rakish Bio:

Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn unite to form “Rakish.” The pair gets their namesake from the traditional Irish tune Rakish Paddy, an origin that aptly suits the duo and their shared background in traditional Irish and Scottish music. Yet “rakish” itself also suggests something strikingly unconventional in its appearance, and Maura and Conor knowingly embrace this wealth of connotation in their music, drawing on the music they grew up with and performing it with their own slant. In a performance that is something more akin to concert music, Rakish explores tunes and songs from Irish and American folk traditions in a way that reflects their shared interest in and love for chamber and improvised music. Maura Shawn, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wields the technical range of an accomplished classical violinist and the deep sensitivity of a traditional musician. Conor, a native to the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, makes his home in Boston playing guitar for a number of traditional music acts and bands.

Rakish has performed on Front Row Boston, Brian O’Donovan’s 2020 “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn,” and in May 2024, the duo will present a concert at the Library of Congress American Folklife Center. Rakish has appeared at festivals across the country and beyond including the Festival of Small Halls PEI, the Bellingham Irish Music Festival, the Rockport Celtic Music Festival and the Boston Celtic Music Festival.

Their debut full-length album has received press in Strings Magazine, Fiddler Magazine, the Bluegrass Situation, FolkAlley, WBUR, Irish Echo, and FolkRadio UK.

Rakish Website
Live Show Trailer

Nate Sabat Bio:
Nate Sabat is an award-winning bassist, singer-songwriter and arranger based in Brooklyn, NY. Nate has written and arranged music for NPR's Radiolab, the Young People's Chorus of New York City and the Heifetz International Music Institute. Additionally, a number of his songs are in rotation on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction channel. He has performed on stages throughout Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States, at festivals and venues including Celtic Connections, Savannah Music Festival, The Caverns and Carnegie Hall. In April 2024 Nate released Bass Fiddler, the debut full-length project under his own name, produced by the legendary Bruce Molsky.

With upright bass as his sole tool for accompaniment, Nate crafts wildly intricate arrangements, each one inextricably tied to its song. His playing — while rooted in American folk music — goes far beyond any preconceived notions of the instrument's role within the genre. With a relaxed, vocal sound and equal fluency with pizzicato and the bow, Nate takes full advantage of the never-ending variety of sounds and textures the bass has to offer. GRAMMY-winning cellist Eugene Friesen says, "Nate has so much going for him: The ability to propel any groove with chops and subtlety, a sweet bow sound that can vocalize any melody, fiercely great intonation, and, most importantly, a musical intelligence and intuition that operates with a constant smile.”

Nate Sabat Website
"Sometimes" Music Video
"The Sun Will Rise" Music Video