Joie de Vivre

Personnel:

Dan Leonard: acoustic and electric guitars

Shani DuFrain, TCRG: vocals, Irish Step Dancing, hand clapping

Mark Christopher Brandt: acoustic piano, hand clapping

Special Guest Violinist: Emily Wellington

Joie de Vivre Released March 17, 2015

One year after the release of Round Trip, Joie de Vivre appeared in it’s own niche, immediately surprising the Irish dance world and both the Portuguese Fado and French torch song markets. The versatile and eclectic violinist Emily Wellington contributed to making Joie de Vivre [Joy of Life] a unique and powerful album with her ability to become the sound and the style of each country invoked by composer Mark Christopher Brandt and his universal music.  A completely different side of guitarist Dan Leonard is found here with Spanish, Irish, jazz and classical guitar styles appearing at a moment’s notice and seamlessly intertwining with the violinist and the pianist.

The title track is a haunting melody with lyrics composed by Brandt and sung by his daughter, Shani DuFrain. DuFrain, a professional Irish dancer, also contributed percussion on two tracks with hand claps and Irish dance steps. The melody of Joie de Vivre is reprised at the end of the album as an instrumental duo between Mark and Dan.