Peter Yeates and Ken Larson: Bringing the Irish. By Daniel J. Curran
Irish Music and Dance in Portland are very much alive.
Peter Yeates and Ken Larson's music is heartfelt. It's a thing of musical beauty for two musicians to be heard as one in song. Your heart feels their music and moves with them. It runs through you. It did me. It will you. Peter Yeates and Ken Larson are a testament to the excellent Irish Celtic music that is being played locally or anywhere, for that matter. They bring some Irish history along for the ride. Musical joy is prevalent with this duo. I couldn't get enough. I sat through three sets at Whelan’s Irish Pub at my initial introduction and can't wait for more.
Ken Larson (l) and Peter Yeates perform regularly at Whelan’s Irish Pub. (Photo by Daniel J. Curran)
"A big part of my overwhelming appreciation is Ken's playing. I have enjoyed the bodhran drum since I first saw one in a band in Ireland. Ken's playing is beyond superb. Let's not forget his voice. Not to be missed is Peter playing and singing some of his compositions, which almost bring me to tears each time I hear them. They bring me happiness," said audience fan Terri.
“I know that whatever is going on in my life, I will be able to go, relax, and enjoy! And I always do. Peter and Ken are also fun and very aware of the "type" of people there, regarding their "menu" for the evening, and take everyone's requests. I don't have to ask anymore; they always sing my favorites," said audience fan Sandi.
Peter Yeates is a Dubliner. He has been around the musical block several times in Dublin and Portland. Peter's musical history began at age 17, which included playing in rock n' roll bands plus a couple of 8-piece showbands throughout Ireland. Yeates also played with an Irish group, Love Street, with a hit record ranked as high as #6 on the Irish charts. He is a singer/songwriter and acoustic guitar player. His worldwide musical journey has led him to play Irish Music three times in Russia and five times in Seoul, South Korea, and most European cities numerous times. He attended the College of Art in Dublin before coming to the United States in 1971. Irish Music was lacking in Portland, and Yeates saw an opportunity to grow it. He is credited with helping ignite the Irish music scene in Portland beginning in or around 1972.
Yeates has shared the stage with Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers, Stockton's Wing, Paddy Reilly, the Wolfe Tones, Jim McCann, The Irish Rovers, Liam Clancy, and the Chieftains in Portland. For Yeates, the beauty of his music lies in his sharing of Irish culture.
From a rock n' roll perspective, Yeates counts Buddy Holly, Cliff Richard, and The Rolling Stones as rock n' roll influences from back in the day to the present. Yates was also a solo artist in Portland for many years before joining Ken Larson as a duo. Like Ken Larson, Yeates is known and respected in the upper reaches of many Irish music circles.
"Hoping that the audience likes the show well enough to come back," said Yeates.
Ken Larson is from Minneapolis, MN. Since Larson was a teen, he counted Celtic artists like Silly Wizard, Andy M. Stewart, The Chieftains, Celtic Stone, Boiled in Lead, and Altan as some of his most profound Celtic music influences. He possesses some Celtic blood, along with many others. Larson would see groups like The Irish Brigade and The Old Triangle in St. Paul, MN, In the late 80s before coming to Oregon.
Yeates came through town with a band, The Full Shilling, and Larson aspired to be part of that sound. When Yeates was touring solo, Larson sometimes sat in with him on bodhrán at the Irish Well in St Paul. MN.
The Minnesota winters did him in. With his sister living in Portland and having a place to rent, he came to Portland in 1994 and reunited with Yeates. Years later, after Larson came to Portland, Yeates and Larson joined up with two other Full Shilling members and made New Shilling. It was not as rock-driven but still possessed the feeling of driving Celtic rock. New Shilling recorded three albums, one of which was live. Available here.
Ken Larson and Peter Yeates have opened for The Young Dubliners, Will Millar of the Irish Rovers, and Liam Clancy, and have played festivals with The Young Wolfe Tones, Seven Nations, Ockham's Razor, and Gaelic Storm. Their friendship has endured many excellent musical iterations.
"I just want to play the best show I can and hope that people are moved by our music or at least have some fun," said Larson.
For those who still listen to CDs, they are available off Larson's website at modhran.com, and the Almost Live CD will be available at the March 8 event. Larson can be contacted for recorded Music at bodhran@modhran.com
BREDA AND PETER YEATES: GREATER PORTLAND’S IRISH POWER COUPLE COMING TO 25TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER
Breda Yeates with student dancers from the Yeates Academy of Dancing at the PHS Saint Patrick’s Day Banquet in 2023.
Breda Yeates is a Dubliner. She has danced around a few blocks a few times in Dublin and Portland, like husband-like wife in living their respective passions. Breda learned Irish dance as a child. She has a lifelong background in theater, music, and dance. This training eventually led to a three-year dance engagement with Irish Television on the "Like Now" show. Breda emigrated to the United States in 1971 and has taught dance in Iowa, Minnesota, and Vancouver, WA.
In 1984, Portland did not have an Irish dance school. Yeates contacted Molly Mannenbach, a highly recognized Irish dancer in Portland, to see if she was interested in opening a dance school. Collectively, they started teaching Irish dance lessons at Holy Redeemer Church Hall for many years before finally moving into their dance studio on Interstate Avenue in 2004.
Sinead Yeates (daughter) is the present owner and director of Yeates Academy of Irish Dance. Sinéad has competed in all levels of Irish dancing, including solo and team dancing. In the 2001 World Championship, she qualified as a solo performer. The 2001 event was canceled. In 2002, she was a member of the world championship team as part of a dance choreography team that came in fourth. Sinéad brings years of competitive dance and performance experience and 22 years of experience as an accredited Irish dance teacher. In September of 2021, Sinead was awarded a global Irish Dancing Teacher Award from Irish Dancing Magazine, a popular global print publication covering the world of Irish dancing. Yeates's passion for her craft mirrors her parents.
On March 8, the Portland Hibernian Society's annual St. Patrick's Day celebration will be hosted in Kells on SW Second Avenue, Portland, with members and friends enjoying the Music of Ken Larson and Peter Yeates and the Yeates Academy of Irish dancers. The total number of dancers involved in the event is 12, ranging from six to 18 years of age, and all promise spirited Irish dancing sets.
If you would like to book a place at the table at our Saint Patrick’s Day Banquet on March 8 at Kells, email me at Tarcisius53@hotmail.com. Put Banquet in the subject line. .
