Seán Whelan is a guitarist and producer working in the Irish and World Music arena who started learning guitar from the age of 9 and is now much in demand as both a studio and live musician. He has played guitar through a cross-section of styles from Irish Music/ Jazz /Swing/Classical/World music and has established himself as a forerunner in Acoustic music by the passion, creativity and versatility of his playing.
He also books music concerts through his "Unique Acoustic Events" company.
https://www.facebook.com/uniqueacoustic
The inspiration provided by the scenic beauty of West Cork is reflected in his compositions on his debut album “End of Autumn”and he has also released his latest “From Gray to Blue”album which includes recordings with some of Ireland's top traditional and Jazz players.
He was also a member of the contemporary Irish/Jazz music ensemble Puck Fair featuring legendary Flautist Brian Dunning and has released and produced a cd with them and played many Festivals such as The Convergence Chamber Music Festival in Bratislava and The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and the Bluenote & Sweet Basil venues in Tokyo & Osaka.
As a former member of Irish Swing Jazz and harmony vocal group Hotfoot he recorded on their debut album and also became a member of The Café Orchestra with Violinist Pat Collins. Seán went on to tour with blues singer Mary Coughlan and also with Irish fiddle talent Máire Breatnach(Riverdance) with whom he had previously played together with in the Traditional Irish group Méristem including several performances on The Late Late Show and the BBC.
Seán Whelan worked and toured extensively with various artists including Singer Kokia,Brian Dunning's Puck Fair,The Cáfe Orchestra Riverdance,Singer Seán Keane,Mary Coughlan,Gaelforce Dance Show,The Dubliners(Guest apperances)Niamh Ní Charra(Japan tour) and has toured in Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe, North America and Japan.He has presented teaching workshops on Guitar technique worldwide including the Sibelius Academy in Finland.
His involvement with the Celtic Guitar Celebration at Vicar Street, Dublin was a unique opportunity to play alongside fellow Guitarists such as Arty McGlynn with whom he played a duet together.
Seán was the Musical Director and Guitarist/Arranger for Japanese singer KOKIA and her very popular “Fairydance” album recorded in Dublin released on the Anco label and distributed by Victor Entertainment in Japan.The success of this recording followed on with performances in Tokyo,Osaka,Paris and Dublin and a number of subsequent recordings for the singer.
Also he worked on 2 Japanese albums by the group Milly la Foret(Partager,Bois Bleu) and Shaylee(Light and Shadow) and Yoko Takano(Moruadh) as musical director and session musician.
He presented and composed the music for an Irish Travelogue film for Japanese Television shown throughout Japan and travelled from Dublin to the West coast of Ireland while filming at the scenic locations en route with a Japanese Film crew.This production was also sponsored by The Irish Tourist Board.
In 2024 he worked with the Catalonian Singer Lidia Pujol on her "Babel" Deis fems i les flors" album which featured material dedicated to the late Irish Flautist Brian Dunning with whom they had a shared friendship spanning more than 20 years.
In addition he recorded/arranged newly composed Irish & Fusion music for broadcast with Cormac Breatnach(Donal Lunny,Riverdance)
Seán continues to expand his touring schedule in 2025.
