Gabriel's Gate

Frank Blair Lead vocals, guitar, cittern, bouzouki, composition. Blessed with a voice of great richness and range, Frank Blair is quickly becoming recognized by Celtic music aficionados for his deft vocal performances as well as his driving and creative playing of the bouzouki and guitar. Drawn to Celtic music by the lure of its ancient storytelling tradition, Frank traces his fascination with hard-driving and intricate arrangements to his early interest in Bluegrass.

Brett Gibson Accordion, composition. A native of New Zealand, Brett took up the accordion at the age of seven and soon began competing, and performing in accordion orchestras. He was awarded numerous titles in the New Zealand National Championships over the years as well as lending his talents to train several other national champions. Brett's studies eventually led him to join the Accordion Ensemble at the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music in Kansas City, with which he toured Russia and Scandinavia. Recently, he won the 2000 U.S. Accordionists and Teachers Guild Open Duet Championship Class. With Gabriel's Gate, Brett provides virtuoso performances on both piano accordion and bayan, a button accordion of Russian origin.

Keith Van Winkle Violin, flute, mandolin, whistles, harmonica, vocals, composition. A multi-instrumentalist familiar in Celtic music circles, Keith has long been associated with the Kansas City scene. His musical experience includes classical studies, Jazz, and Bluegrass in addition to his more than 20 years of devotion to Celtic music. In addition to composing many tunes for the band, he has also composed and performed music for several stage productions at the Missouri Repertory Theater. Keith's uncanny ability to switch from instrument to instrument while incorporating a diverse set of influences adds considerably to the sound of Gabriel's Gate.

Sean Patrick Hayes Guitar, backing vocals, humor The most recent addition to Gabriel's Gate, Sean rounds out the band's sound and personality. Spending his formative years in Kansas City, he couldn't wait to travel across the country, accumulating ten years of experience in Celtic music along the way. Now dropping anchor with Gabriel's Gate, his driving, aggressive guitar rhythms complement the band's intricate and fast-paced instrumentals as well as his informative introductions and lively repartee balance the somewhat more reserved on-stage personalities of his fellow members.

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Last updated on June 11, 2001
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