Tina McLoughlin, a native of Bremen, West Germany, and now resident in the north Dublin peninsula of Howth, is an accomplished player of traditional Irish Whistle and Accordion.   Her solo CD "Just For Now" is available from Claddagh Records (SPINCD1006)

Photo © Jim Fitzpatrick

Background

Originally classically trained as a soloist on the harpsichord and recorder, she has done extensive Radio, Television and Theatre work and recording studio "session" jobs.

Now resident in the north Dublin peninsula of Howth, she was a member of the locally based band "Clann Eadair" who together with Phil Lynott released the highly acclaimed single "A Tribute to Sandy Denny". With Clann Eadair she appeared on many Radio and Television Programmes including the Late Late Show.

Solo CD "Just For Now"

(from review in the Irish Times)

Her first solo album " Just For Now " has recently been released on Claddagh Records and is already gaining an extremely positive critical response. A recent review in the Irish times stated:

"... Tina McLoughlin, a German whistle and accordion player based in Ireland, is fluent in every nuance and gesture of traditional music ..."

Produced by Ian Vance Melrose, the album is a stunning collection of music that brings together the many stands of Tina's musical personality, allowing her the space to integrate her classical skills and feel for traditional music in the company of some of Ireland's finest musicians.

With the band she is currently putting together and a "Just For Now " tour in the offing, the road ahead points to an intriguing future full of all kinds of interesting and exciting musical possibilities.

"I first met Tina in Bremen during a Dubliners tour of Germany in the early 70's. She was then about 13, and had been studying classical music on the recorder. However, on her first encounter with our music that night at Die Glocke Halle, she fell in love with Ireland, and Irish traditional music. She persuaded her mother to buy a tin whistle and bring her to our hotel the next day for her first lesson.

She took to the music like she was born to it, and before long she had mastered all the intricate ornamentation and a sizeable repertoire. On all our subsequent visits to Bremen, it was always a pleasure to have a tune with Tina after our concerts and to hear her technique reach a new maturity.

It was inevitable that she would eventually settle in Ireland where she now resides, and it was a wonderful eclipse of our musical circles when she invited me to play one of my compositions, "Highland Snow", with her on this CD.

When you listen to Tina's playing, I think you'll agree with me that she sounds more like a Dooliner than a Bremener. Congratulations Tina."

John Sheahan, The Dubliners.