A storming new band, blending the drive of Irish traditional music and bluegrass with the heart and soul of folk and Appalachian music—spiced up with an Italian seasoning for extra flair!

Gadan is a fresh project created by two seasoned musicians from Irish trad and European folk/rock scene, Lorenzo Testa and Jacopo Ventura, both with years of experience performing at major traditional and alternative folk music festivals across Europe and the US. Uniquely, the band featured four members, all Italian, bringing exceptional skill and passion to Irish traditional music and old-time American styles—a distinctive and remarkable combination.

In 2024, they were joined by Enda Scahill, a tenor banjo master, award-winner, All-Ireland champion, and founder of We Banjo 3. With Enda, Gadan expanded to a five-member band. Together, Gadan and Enda Scahill performed at all the major Irish festivals across the US during August 2024, marking the start of an exciting collaboration that will continue into the future.

Their high-energy repertoire has a powerful live appeal, reminiscent of new-trad acts, but with a unique identity. With three banjos—tenor and clawhammer—fiddle, mandolin, and guitar, they create a distinctive “strings-only” sound, enhanced by subtle electronics and driven by a powerful rhythmic pulse.

Gadan’s performances build momentum, sweeping the audience into ecstasy with their refreshing yet deeply rooted traditional sound.