Nestled within the captivating landscape of Cork, Ireland, an unexpected melody emerges, resonating with the enchanting rhythms of traditional Irish music yet subtly inflected with the pulsating cadences of the digital age. This groundbreaking fusion is the brainchild of innovative musician Jason Turk. With a passion for Irish music and a courageous spirit of innovation, Turk has breathed new life into ancient melodies using the advanced Seaboard RISE 2 MIDI controller. Replacing the expected notes of the piano accordion or Uilleann pipes — the quintessential Irish bagpipe — Turk’s music takes the listener on a captivating journey, as explored in the first episode of ‘ROLI Meets’.
Born into a family with a deep affection for Irish music, Jason Turk’s musical journey began with him traveling across England and Scotland in a campervan. Drawn by the allure of Irish music, his family found their home in Cork, Ireland. Here, Turk mastered the piano accordion, expertly marrying his love for the piano with the rich, cultural tapestry of Irish music. As his creativity expanded, so did his desire to experiment, leading to his integrating electronics into his music, from building his optical MIDI analyzer for his accordion’s bass to synthesizing sound in bands. His creative journey ultimately led him to the Seaboard RISE 2.
A vibrant epicenter of traditional Irish music, Cork has long been the home of lively jigs, soul-stirring reels, and haunting ballads. In the heart of this cultural heritage, Turk found a new tool for expression in the Seaboard RISE 2. This innovative MIDI controller offers a vast landscape for creative exploration, blending seamlessly with traditional instruments and enabling musicians to inject intricate nuances into their performances.
The standout feature of the Seaboard RISE 2 is its ability to utilize MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), granting musicians the power to manipulate multiple parameters of each note individually. Turk’s innovative use of this feature allows him to infuse his music with the vibrato and sliding techniques typical of traditional Irish instruments such as the violin. Turk enriches his performances with unique textures and tones by exploring the vast sonic possibilities offered by the Seaboard RISE 2’s library of real instrument samples.
Turk’s music embodies a bold new direction in traditional Irish music, integrating innovative technology while maintaining reverence for the genre’s rich heritage. This fusion captivates a broad spectrum of listeners, charming purists with familiar melodies while intriguing the younger generation with its fresh approach. His plans include composing original music that combines traditional Irish tunes with modern elements, using the Seaboard RISE 2 as a central instrument.
In a testament to his commitment to evolution, Jason Turk is paving the way for a new chapter in the Irish music scene. By harmoniously intertwining traditional Irish music with modern technology, Turk has created a unique musical blend that respects the past while eagerly looking forward to the future.
![[Free eBook For Musicians] Career Foundations For Music Producers: True Strategies And Harsh Realities To Start Getting Paid For Your Music](https://magneticmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-2024-05-09T141425.352-1024x614.png)
