Cat's Melodeon is a
group consisting of some of the finest Irish
traditional musicians on Cape Cod. They perform at
sessions, concerts,
festivals, and private functions throughout the
year. The group (originally named "Cape Tradition")
was founded in 2005 by
Bill Black.
The group's instrumentation
includes fiddle, guitar, flute, recorder, uilleann
pipes, banjo, accordion, harmonica, concertina, bouzouki,
whistle,
mandolin, and bodhrán (the Irish frame drum). The
group's repertoire consist of the Irish dance tunes
-
primarily reels, jigs, and hornpipes - that have
been the staple of the Irish instrumental tradition
for hundreds of years.
Any musician familiar with the Irish tradition is welcome to attend,
regardless of playing ability. It should be noted that our sessions are
not "slow sessions" and playing speeds might be a bit brisk for some musicians.
Our policy however is to allow each musician an opportunity to start a
tune or two at her own speed, and the rest of us will join in.
It should also be noted that our sessions should not be viewed as an
opportunity to "practice". We recommend to less experienced musicians
that they devote more time to listening than trying to play, especially
on tunes with which they may not be familiar. Recording devices present
no problem - we have all learned this music in different ways, and if
you do better with a sound file than with notation, go for it!
Most of the Cats are pretty good with tune names, so avail yourself of
their experience. (I find it easier to play a tune if I know its name -
not sure why!)
Cat's Melodeon is primarily an acoustic
(non-amplified) group.
Click here for a "live performance" sound sample. (I think we're on YouTube somewhere too.)
Although the group totals
about fifteen members, it's unusual for them all to
be in the same place at the same time, so they are quite capable of
performing in smaller units depending on the requirements
of
the audience or the venue. The members are also
versatile in that most are capable of performing
other types of
traditional music - American, Canadian, Scots - and
of adding vocals in English and Irish.
Individual members are often
called upon to act as teachers to the growing number
of young (and not-so-young) people who
have
become interested in Irish traditional music. Cat's
Melodeon is also highly supportive of more
formal teaching
efforts such as those of the Irish Cultural Center,
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the West Bend Music
School, the "Back of the House" slow session group, and Nik
Engstrom's "Sonnay" fiddle group.
Over the years, the Cats have performed at many Cape venues. They appear annually at:
Most recent "concert performance" was at Sandwich's Glasstown Theater in March 2025.
OUR SATURDAY SESSION:
At the invitation of owners Des and Terry Keogh, the Cats started a Saturday afternoon session at the "Auld Triangle" pub in Hyannis on in February 2024. Session hours are 3 to 5 pm.
Charitable work:
In the course of fifteen months, the Cats have raised approximately
$11,000 for various charities, including the Cape Cod Veterans, Project
Bread, and Mass. Special Olympics. Proceeds of our current campaign will
benefit pediatric brain cancer research via https://www.adeliastrong.com/
At the Glasstown Theater, Sandwich, 3/5/25
At the Auld Triangle Pub in Hyannis, 2/3/24
Cat's Melodeon at Gray Gables Market
for the "Project Bread" fundraiser session
4/4/15
session at Titcomb's Bookshop for the Housing Assistance Corp. 9/19/15
