Shawn's Projects
&
Multi-Musik Shawn Hennessey -
Producer / Singer-Songwriter / World Percussion / Teacher
Don’t miss out on ‘Orisha Love Songs Vol. 2, Oro Cantado Electric.’ Pre-save it now for the streaming release on July 26th and be the first to experience the remastered magic. 🎧✨
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Shawn Hennessey’s project, Leana Song, is a fusion of Afro-Cuban Orisha songs with electronic, folk and jazz. This second volume, “Orisha Love Song Vol.2 - ‘Oru Cantado Électrique’ presents new arrangements of 19 traditional Orisha songs, with Batá drums at the center. The arrangements are electro-folkloric, and draw influences from samba, house, trap, and experimental. This new album features Bakithi Kumalo, Paul Simon’s long time bass player, folkloric singer Naivis Angarica, recorded in Cuba, and gospel-latin pianist Orlando Fiol, and saxophonist and composer Maxfield Gast. Recorded entirely in Ableton Live, Shawn plays the guitars, layers vocals, sequences beats, and plays over 100 different percussion instruments, to form this homegrown amalgamation of Afro-Folk.
Leana Song released their debut CD “Orisha Love Song’s Vol.1” in 2008. This recording contemporary salute to six Orishas, (spiritual beings representing forces of nature) from the Yoruba tradition/religion Santeria. Orisha worship was first brought to Cuba by Yoruba slaves in the nineteenth century. It was then combined with Catholic religious practices and spread to other Latin-American countries and the United States. After 15 years of training, Shawn became ‘Omo Aña’, or child of the spirit of the drum, and is able to play the sacred drums in ceremonies.
Musicians:
Shawn Hennessey - Voices, Guitars, Percussion, Synths
Bakithi Kumalo - Bass
Orlando Fiol - Piano
Naivis Angarica - Voice
Maxfield Gast - Saxophones
A Wake on the Boulevard
Our New Record is Out Now!
AND it's being played on stations all over the US!
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"A Wake on the Boulevard" represents a new chapter in Shawn's career, and is a deeply personal album that explores themes of fatherhood, forgiveness, and growth. The album features Shawn's gift for songwriting and pop production, and is a testament to his resilience and passion for sonic innovation.
Recorded in Philly, Boston and New York, the album features a host of talented musicians, including Elliot Garland, Chris Aschman, and Tom Spiker, who also mixed the record. Shawn recorded most of the instruments himself at his studio in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia.
"A Wake on the Boulevard" will be available on all major streaming platforms, as well as for purchase on www.shawnhennessey.com. For more information about Shawn and Hennessey Bonfire, please follow him on social media.
Early Impressions:
"It’s an album worth a thousand listens to hear the layers. So many really beautiful songs and and musical ideas here. It’s totally original music! Love it. - Dan Schwartz (Good Old War)
It’s beautiful. Every aspect. Songwriting, lyrics/subject matter, arrangement and instrumentation, performance.. beautiful.
-Maxfield Gast (Ogopogo, Louis)
HENNESSEY BONFIRE
ORIGINAL WORLD FOLK
A Wake on the Boulevard
Let's get Carried Away
BONFIRE ALIVE
LEANA SONG
WORLD FUSION
ORISHA LOVE SONG VOL.2
Leana Song
Afro-Cuban Fusion
ORISHA LOVE SONGS VOL.1
A Christmas MRIcle
Single
SHAWN HENNESSEY SOLO WORK
An XMAS MRIcle
VIDEOS
Thank you!
Thanks for coming this far!
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I'm a student and teacher of the world's music. Leana Song is my spiritual expression. Hennessey Bonfire is my temporal exposition. I want to share my journey with you through my music.
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Follow this guide to learn more about my work
Much Love,
Shawn
What Listeners Have to Say:
"There are so many influences and musical worlds that you have truly blended into a style that is honest and pure Shawn Hennessey. Bravo!” - Brian Marsella
“Shawn is an incredibly creative, responsible, dedicated, and motivated individual who is multi-talented, genuine, and an endless source of positive energy." - Moe Methot
Photo By: @skylerjenkins
