Paul Stowe
Solo CD
Ten Thousand Miles I’ve Travelled
Across The Sea
Matching Ties Live
Crossing The Bridge
Matching Ties Nr 1
Matching Ties is an Irish, English and Scottish folk group with members from the U.S.A., England, Ireland and Germany based in southeastern Germany. Their unique blend of traditional Irish/Celtic folk with a modern twist and a touch of American bluegrass and mountain music is their trademark. The core of the band is their duo, which expands to line-ups from permanent members in their trio and quartet to special guest musicians in their quintet. Among the best multi-instrumentalists in the European folk scene on stringed instruments, flutes, pipes and percussions, they are also excellent singers and seasoned entertainers. Since 1986 they have performed over 3000 times at every imaginable acoustic and folk music event and venue throughout Europe and in the U.S.A. In addition to their concerts they present Irish Folk Nights in which they accompany Irish dancers.
Paul Stowe
Trevor Morriss
Peter Corbett
Konrad Stock
Current
Please visit the websites of
Matching Ties’ sister band
Grass Root Ties,
bluegrass, blues & swing
Please note that members of all the line-ups below are interchangeable, so that in addition to the nucleus duo Paul Stowe and Trevor Morriss, any combination of the musicians below is possible (trio to quintet).
Matching Ties is a Munich area and southern Germany based international Irish, Scottish, and English folk and acoustic music group. The name and the matching ties they wear on stage are symbolic of the ties between these musicians of different nationalities, united in their international, above all Irish, Scottish, English and American blend of music. They perform as a duo with founding members American Paul Stowe and Englishman Trevor Morriss (guitars, mandolin, Irish bouzouki). Trio and quartet line-ups include regular members Irishman Peter Corbett on the fiddle and Munich bodhrán (Irish drum), tin and low whistle and bagpipe player Konrad Stock. They are also joined on occasion by select international guest musicians who are among the best in the European scene to form a quintet. Since 1986 they have brought their blend of Irish and British folk, bluegrass, newgrass, and acoustic country, blues and swing to a wide variety of venues throughout Europe and in the USA. The duo continues to play this blend whilst the larger line-ups concentrate on Irish and British folk. In 2011 the group split into 2 groups. Matching Ties focusing on Irish and British folk, and Grass Root Ties took over the American bluegrass, blues, swing and country repertoire (click here for information about Grass Root Ties). From smaller stages such as cabarets, folk clubs, and music pubs to larger city, cultural, folk, guitar, bluegrass and country festivals they adapt to any performance situation. Their show is full of spontaneous sketches and humor, finding the right balance between their love for the beauty and complexity of the music, but showing the audience at all times that they are having fun. Their music has been represented on 4 CDs to date.
Their latest production, the live DVD/CD set “25th Anniversary Performances” was released on the occasion of their 25th anniversary in August 2011. They also perform as a dance band accompanying Irish dancers at Irish folk nights in halls and venues organized in cooperation with various cultural promoters by Paul Stowe, often joined by a 2nd or 3rd band in an unforgettable evening of Irish and Celtic folklore. Please click here for more information about Irish Folk Nights.
The Duo - Paul Stowe (USA) & Trevor Morriss (GB)
Paul Stowe (USA) & Trevor Morriss (GB) acoustic and steel-bodied guitars, mandolin, Irish bouzouki, mouth harp, vocals
The common ties between the respective musical cultures of American Paul Stowe and Englishman Trevor Morriss form the cornerstone of the Matching Ties repertoire. As accomplished stylists in many folk directions, they blend Irish, English, Scottish folk with a touch of bluegrass and blues into their own unique mixture. Paul and Trevor founded Matching Ties in 1986, and have since played the incredible sum of some 3000+ concerts together. Well arranged instrumental parts and exact, expressive harmony vocals produce a full, round sound. Spontaneous sketches and clowning loosen up their show, and create a personal atmosphere. Whether they’re playing in a pub or at a festival, for 20 or 2000 listeners, they always manage to steal the show, often over-shadowing larger bands in this style. Years of professional experience has molded these likeable musicians into a perfect team. As virtuosi on their respective instruments, Paul and Trevor have long been a part of the elite circle of musicians in the European acoustic and folk music scenes.
The Trio- Paul Stowe (USA) & Colm O'Tuama (IRL) Trevor Morriss (GB))
The Trio
The Duo plus Peter Corbett (IRL)
As a trio Matching Ties becomes a “small band" with Irish violinist (fiddler) Peter Corbett originally from Limerick, Ireland. Peter is the perfect addition to the established team of Paul and Trevor.
His wide knowledge and repertoire of Irish and Celtic folk expands the musical possibilities of the duo. Peter is a virtual walking encyclopedia of Irish and Celtic tunes (melodies) and songs. Having grown up in the heart of the Irish folk boom, his playing is virtuous and authentic.
Peter is not only one of Europe’s top Irish folk fiddlers, but is also accomplished in bluegrass and other styles. Peter is also an authentic Irish singer with wide variety of songs, and a solid harmony singer.
He is also a great team member adding rhythmic support with long-bowing and “shuffling” techniques on violin. Please see the biography page for more information about Peter.
The Quartet, The Quintet
The Duo plus Peter Corbett (IRL) and Konrad Stock (D)
Peter and Konrad are presently the regular members of the Matching Ties-Quartet, which performs an increasing amount of the band’s concerts in middle-sized to larger venues. Konrad Stock a veteran of the folk music scene from Munich, Germany joins Paul, Trevor and Peter on bodhrán (Irish drum), tin and low whistles, and Scottish Highland and Bourdon bagpipes, washboard kit and various percussions. His main duties are to keep the rhythm on the bodhrán, not only to the Irish/Celtic music, but uniquely to all the occasional novelty song on the bodhrán or his crazy washboard set, a folk drum kit with wood blocks, bongos, cow bells and cymbal. He is also an accomplished tin and low whistle player and (bag-)piper, and ushers the crowd in with a set of Scottish bagpipe tunes, or picks up the whistles to play duets and trio with Peter on tunes sets or ballads.
Please see the biography page for more information about Konrad.
The Quartet with GUEST MUSICIANS
Various instrumentalists join Matching Ties on fiddle, tin and low whistles, flute or bodhrán to form a quintet depending on their availability on the given date. The quintet mainly comes into action at the Irish Folk Nights as an added soloist for the tune sets (dance melodies) to accompany dancers, but may also appear at regular concerts. Drawing from a large pool of the best Irish/Celtic folk musicians based in Germany, or from Ireland, each guest is an added highlight to their program. As members of the Matching Ties extended family all of the guest musicians have toured with the band, and are very familiar with its repertoire. More information about Matching Ties guest musicians upon request.
Musicians
Paul Stowe (Salt Lake City, USA) acoustic & steel-bodied guitars, mouth harp, vocal
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Paul grew up in a classical music family in Hartford, Connecticut (USA), and began playing the guitar at the age of 12. After moving to Salt Lake City, Utah (USA) at the age of 16 he began to play street music, festivals and clubs in the Rocky Mountain area. After two years of touring throughout Europe with folk and blues bands, he toured Italy living in Florence for 1 year before moving to the Munich, and later the Munich, Germany area to join the country and bluegrass band "Kentucky Bluefield" and founded Matching Ties in 1986. Paul manages the band and books the Irish Folk Nights, and plays as a solo artist throughout Europe and in the U.S.A. He lives with his wife and 2 children southeast of Munich near Rosenheim, Germany.
Trevor grew up in southeast London and in Cornwall, England. As one of the first Englishmen to play bluegrass and American folk in a string band with his brothers, he was influential in bringing American music to the English folk circuit. He lived for 2 years in the U.S.A. and Canada, playing in bluegrass and folk bands, sitting in with many name acts, before returning to Europe and eventually settling 1980 in the Munich area. Trevor also played with Paul in "Kentucky Bluefield”. Trevor fills in on occasion with various acoustic, country and Irish folk bands and works as a studio musician. Trevor lives south of Munich near Starnberg, Germany.
Peter was born in Dublin, and grew up in central Ireland near Mullingar in County Westmeath. In the early 1970’s he began to learn folk fiddle in sessions with the O’Connor family and other well-known Irish musicians in the legendary music villages of Murroe and Dundalk, Ireland. Moving to Germany in 1983 Peter has since played in many bands including a duo with Steve Shorrock “Devil’s Dilemma”, the Berlin band “Shanahan and Co.”, and “Na Ciotogi” as well as working as a studio musician. Peter lives in Fuerth next to Nuremberg, Germany. He joined “Matching Ties” in 2011.
Konrad Stock (Munich, Germany) bodhrán, scottish and border bagpipes, tin whistles, percussions
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Konrad was born and raised in the Gruenwald south of Munich, Germany. Although his duties as a doctor are very time consuming, he finds time to play folk music at a very high level. His main instrument is the bagpipes, but he is also a very accomplished bodhrán and tin whistle player. Having spent some time in Scotland and England where he honed his skills as a folk musician, he attended the famous College of Piping in Glasgow. A friendly and familiar face in the German folk music scene, he is a regular at sessions and festivals and plays on occasion in the well known German rock band “The Seer”.
Jessica began to play the flute at the age of 11. Upon graduation from musical high school in Arezzo, Italy she then studied at the Cherubini Conservatory of Music in Florence. After playing in ensembles and in theaters, she returned to get her master’s degree in Siena writing her theses on the “Music and National Identity of Irish Songs”. She played with musicians from Ireland and England in the Irish folk group “Dagda”, and with the Italian folk groups “Fiamma Fumana” and “Passo Verso Nord” with which she recorded CDs and toured Europe and the U.S. In 2011 she came to Munich, Germany, joining Matching Ties in 2015.
Guest Musicians
Guest musicians in our quintet, see Line-Ups
Performances
Matching Ties is a concert band and prefers audiences that listen. That doesn’t mean that the audience shouldn’t have a good time or participate in their show. Private and company parties engagements are also possible, but we advise that you be sure that your guests desire to hear our styles music.
Equipment and publicity materials
Photos and press text can be downloaded from the Download page of this website. Posters (DIN A2, Duo also in A3) for all Matching Ties line-ups can be delivered free of charge (generally 50 per engagement). PA system and lighting can be provided for 20 to 500 listeners. For larger events, larger PA systems, lighting and stages can be rented. Playing acoustic without a PA is also possible and welcome if the venue and audiences allow.
Selected performances
D – Matching Ties Irish Folk Nights mit/with dancers: Schloss Amerang, Stadtsaal Neuoetting, Stadtsaal Dillingen, Open Air Pfarrgarten Donauwoerth, Postsaal Trostberg, Kloster Baumburg, Buergerhaus Eching, Kupferhaus Planegg, Taufkirchen bei Muenchen, Schloss Maxhofen,
Factory Inn Selb, Attl bei Wasserburg, Salzachhalle Laufen, Kursaal Prien u.v.m./and many more
D – Nürnberg, Bardentreffen (World Music Festival)
D – Balve, Irish Folk Festival, Balver Höhle
D – Bonfeld, Folk im Schlosshof
D – Taunusstein, Folk Club, Celtic Night
D – Homberg, Hessen Folk Festival
D-Zaisersweier, Irish Folk Nights
D-Hattersheim, Folk Festival Posthof
D – Hirschberg, Saasemer Folk & Shanty Festival
D – München, Tollwood Festival
D – Singen, Hohentwiel Burgfest
D – Stuttgart, Stadtfest (City Festival)
D – Kempten, Jazz Frühling
D-Erding, Sinnflut Festival
D-Willofs, Veteranan Treff & End of Summer Festivals
GB/IRL - Kreuzfahrtschiff / Cruise Ship (England, Scotland & Ireland)
I-Ameglia, Tra Fiume e Mare Concert Series
I-Trento, Triskell Folk Festival
I - Friuli, Folkest Festival
I – San Marino, Castle Concerts
I – Verona, Concerti Caligeri (Piazza Dante)
I – Udine, Folk Club Buttrio & Madame Guitar Festival
I – Lecce, Salento Guitar Festival
A – Waidhofen, Musikfest
A – Finkenstein, Burgarena, Irish Folk Festival
A – Mayrhofen, Country, Folk & Blues Festival
A- Klagenfurt, Altstadtzauber (City Cultural Festival)
A- Spittal, Guitarena Concerts, Castle Porcia
CZ-Telc, Beltine Folk Festival
CZ – Prague Culture Palace, International Dobro Festival
SK - Trnava, International Dobrofest
SLO – Bled, Okarina Folk Festival
SLO – Maribor, Lent Music Festival
F- Craponne, Rendez-Vous Festival
H – Tatabanya, Blues Festival
H – Balaton, Countrynental Festival
CH – Schaffhausen, Over Easy Bluegrass Festival
CH - Zürich, Albisguetli Festival
CH – Thun, Bluegrass Festival
CH – Stetten, Bluegrass Family Festival
USA – Pennsylvania, Folk Festival
USA – Boston, Club Passim
USA – Tour Oct-Nov. 2008, 12 concerts in the northwestern U.S.
Matching Ties is a concert band and prefers audiences that listen. That doesn’t mean that the audience shouldn’t have a good time or participate in their show. Private and company parties engagements are also possible, but we advise that you be sure that your guests desire to hear our styles music.
Due to the Covid19 crisis please keep checking back on this page to see if the individual concert dates below will take place.
January 2021
Canceled - new date Fri. 21.1.2022 - Matching Ties-Quartet, 22. January 2021 - 20:00 hrs.
D-91757 Treuchtlingen, Kulturzentrum (Cultural center) Altes Forsthaus, Verein für Interkulturelle Begegnung e.V. www.facebook.com/sofremd.sonah
Canceled, new date? tba Paul Stowe-solo, 28. January 2021 - 20:00-22:00 hrs. www.paulstowe.com
D-81737 München, Kulturhaus (cultural center) Neuperlach, Live im Foyer, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 62 www.kulturbunt-neuperlach.de
Canceled, new date 2022? TBA Grass Root Ties, 30. January 2021 - 20:00 hrs. www.grassrootties.com
14. Johnny’s Wedding/Teetotaler’s Reel/The High Ree
7. The Bonny Ship the Diamond
15. Sweet Music Roll On
8. Here’s a Health to the Company
Musicians: Paul Stowe, Trevor Morriss, Peter Corbett, Konrad Stock
MATCHING TIES "Here's a Health to the Company" MT-CD-06 . produced by Matching Ties 2015
Paul Stowe CD “Ten Thousand Miles I’ve Travelled” using order form on www.paulstowe.com or order hier!
DVD "25 Year Anniversary Performances" / Now available as DVD/CD Set (see order form right)!
1) The Cuckoo’s Nest / St. Anne’s Reel
2) The Holy Well
3) Carrickfergus / The Water is Wide
4) My Little Fiddle
5) The Skye and Mingulay Boat Songs
6) In the Summertime
7) Red is the Rose
8) Ragtime Annie / Golden Slippers
9) Summertime
10) Keeping the Boat Afloat
11) Let’s Make a Baby King
12) Rout of the Blues / Bonaparte’s Retreat
13) Colm’s Lilt
14) Drowsy Maggie
15) The Flowing Bowl
16) Antics
17) The Jolly Beggar Man / The Wise Maid
Extras:
18) The Jolly Beggar Man / The Wise Maid
19) Wild Mountain Thyme
20) Photo Gallery
Musicians & Performers: Paul Stowe, Trevor Morriss, Georg Bähr, Colm O'Tuama, Thomas Kärner,
Konrad Stock
Guests: Christian Hedwitschak, Dermot Hyde, Tom Hake, The Tir na nÓg Dance Troupe
Musicians: Paul Stowe, Trevor Morriss, Georg Bähr, Thomas Kärner, Paul Richards, Colm O'Tuama, Dave Bell, Michael Franzelin
MATCHING TIES "Across The Sea" MT-CD-04 . produced by Matching Ties 2006
Musicians: Paul Stowe, Trevor Morriss, Uwe Zeeb, Claudio Della Penna
MATCHING TIES "Live - Funky Folk & Swingin´ Blues" . MT-CD-03 . produced by Matching Ties 1999
Musicians: Paul Stowe, Trevor Morriss, Uwe Zeeb, Claudio Della Penna
Guests: Lodi Van Vlodrop, Jaroslav Tomes, Offer Singer
CROSSING THE BRIDGE . MT-CD-02 . produced by Matching Ties 1997
Musicians: Paul Stowe, Trevor Morriss, Uwe Zeeb, Horacio Cantu
Guests: Mark Stoffel, Wil Maring, Tony Ramos, Andi List, Offer Singer
MATCHING TIES No. 1 . MT-CD-01 . produced by Matching Ties 1994
Matching Ties Videos
Matching Ties – Band Demo
Irish Folk Night – Demo, Matching Ties & dancers
Matching Ties & O’Brannlaig Rinceoir dancers: Scotsman Over the Border
Matching Ties Quintet: Johnny’s Wedding
Matching Ties & O’Brannlaig Rinceoir dancers: The White Petticoat
Matching Ties – Trio: Hard Times of Old England
Matching Ties – Duo: The Bonny Ship the Diamond
Matching Ties Quintet: Wild Mountain Thyme
Matching Ties Quintet: The Little Beggar Man (Girl)
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