Torcán are a new-style Trad band based in Cork. Led by Jason Turk, multi-medalist at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, and his brother Robin. Joined by Seán Murphy and Brian Leach from Co. Cork and more recently All Ireland Bodhrán champion Karl Nesbitt, these talented musicians create a rich and complex sound from the piano accordion, whistle, saxophone, fiddle, bazouki, electric bass, guitar, and bodhrán.
Inspired by the musical styles of Cajun, Scandinavian, classical, dance, and rock genres, Torcán expand upon the melodies of traditional Irish music.
From regular live sessions at the South County Bar in Douglas to gracing the stages at the Cork Opera House, Kilworth Arts Centre, and IMRO TradFest Showcase, to a performance in front of thousands at Turkey's historic Karagoz Folk Dance Festival,
Torcán have already begun making their mark on the Folk music scene.
Entrenched in the Cork music scene, the members of Torcán bring together an eclectic mix of instruments, experience, and musical influences.
(Accordion, Whistles, Keys)
Jason is a professional musician and music teacher based in Cork. He has won multiple medals at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil on Piano Accordion. A multi-instrumentalist, Jason is proficient on classical piano, whistle,
flute, piano accordion, and saxophone, all of which are present in Torcán's music. His own influences range from Niall Vallely to Muse.
(Flute, Bodhrán, Bazouki)
"Multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, Karl Nesbitt is a prodigious talent" -
Irish Music - Magazine
All Ireland Fleadh Bodhrán champion - Karl comes from the well-known Nesbitt family of Co. Tipperary. His sister Máiréad is a long standing member of Celtic Woman.
Karl has had the role of Producer/Director on eight albums so far from Irish Traditional to Folk, Indie to Ambient music. He has performed at numerous festivals throughout the UK, Europe, Scandinavia and China, and has performed as guest instrumentalist with the Berne Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra as well as Simon Morgan in the National Concert Hall.
(Fiddle, Bazouki)
Seán Murphy is a teacher based in East Cork. He plays fiddle and bodhrán with Torcán. His musical influences include Planxty, Patrick Street and Sharon Shannon.
(Electric Bass)
(Guitar, Bodhrán)
Robin is a Graduate of the School of Music UCC, where he specialised in Traditional Guitar and with Torcán, he has extended his playing to Bodhrán and
Mandolin . His influences include the Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Richard Schindell and he is currently finishing a PhD in Archaeology.