Renowned Canadian Celtic music group, LEAHY, is pleased to announce the release of “Joie de vivre,” the first single from their upcoming new album LEAHY Live In Concert. 

The spirited accordion-led instrumental track is a medley of two original pieces composed by multi-instrumentalist Xavier Leahy, inspired by his exploration of jazz through his guitar. “I deliberately tried to write tunes outside the Irish or French boxes,” recounts the young musician, “basically trying to translate “jazz” into “Irish.”

Xavier’s aunt, Erin Leahy, influenced by pianists in the Montreal jazz scene, adds rich and intricate layers underneath Xavier’s accordion, igniting the feel with her Latin and jazz piano arrangement. In typical LEAHY form, the band’s approach takes the track in unexpected directions melodically and rhythmically, leaving the listener exhilarated and satisfied. 

“Joie de vivre” was recorded during a regular live performance, filmed for a video series on which the band was working. When they listened back to the music from the show, the vibe was so dynamic that the band decided to release several tracks on an album. “Joie de vivre” is the subject of the second episode in the video series, LEAHY: From the Inside.

“Joie de vivre” is one of nine tracks on LEAHY Live In Concert which will be released on October 25th, 2024.  In addition to the core band, several young Leahys are also featured on the live album, along with special guests, Canadian fiddle-player Louis Schryer, and French-Canadian accordionists, Timi Turmel and Marie-Jeanne Brousseau.