NTIF 2007 International Performers

Tommy Makem

We are sad to announce that, due to ill health, Tommy will not be able to be with us this year.

We all trust that he will make a speedy recovery, and possibly be able to fit us into his 2008 schedule.

Please keep him in your thoughts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Makem Brothers

After more than 13 years, the Makem Brothers have spun into a musical cocoon and emerged as the powerhouse Irish vocal group of their generation. The Makem Brothers know Irish music almost inherently. They grew up at sing-songs and sessions frequented by some of Ireland's best known and prolific singers and musicians. As professional entertainers since 1989, they have had the unique opportunity to study first hand from many of the best acts in Irish music today.

They have played before millions of people on both sides of the Atlantic, including national slots on American public television and Irish talk shows. From California to Ireland and from Texas to Canada, the list of stages on which they have performed is equally impressive and includes Symphony Space in New York City, the World Cup and the Guinness Fleadh.

Shane, Conor and Rory Makem represent the third generation in their legendary family of Irish-born singers. Their grandmother Sarah Makem was a source singer and was visited by folk music collectors from all over the world such as Pete Seeger, Diane Hamilton and Jean Ritchie for her great store of old Irish songs.

Cathie Ryan

Irish American Cathie Ryan, with her crystalline vocals and insightful songwriting, is an original and distinctive voice in Celtic music. Since her acclaimed seven year tenure as lead singer of Cherish the Ladies, the Detroit born Ryan has established herself as one of Celtic Music’s most popular and enduring singer-songwriters. The Boston Globe recently wrote, "Cathie Ryan is a thrilling traditional vocalist whose honey-pure soprano is equally at home on probing original ballads about a woman's place in the modern world."

Cathie has released 4 critically acclaimed CDs on Shanachie Records: Cathie Ryan, The Music of What Happens, Somewhere Along the Road, and her latest The Farthest Wave. She is featured on more than forty compilations of Celtic Music.

Cathie is a captivating and deeply affecting performer. "There is nothing like a live show, being with an audience, sharing the music. That is the best part of being a singer and writing songs," she says. She has built a loyal following throughout Europe and North America by touring steadily and singing “songs of the heart.” At a live performance The Irish Echo observed, "Cathie Ryan certainly knows how to communicate with her audience. And what she communicates through song are the enduring values of home, family, memory, and spirit..."

Téada

In just five short years, Téada has exploded onto the international touring circuit, capturing the imagination of many with a creative and spontaneous musical approach, seeking to capture the intricacies of traditional art form within a contemporary band context.

Having first come to attention through an appearance on the innovative Irish television series, Flosc, in 2001, Téada went on to undertake highly successful tours of the United States, Finland and Germany throughout their initial two years as a band. The following year, 2003, saw audiences hearing for the first time, an expanded 5-member line-up featuring accordionist Paul Finn from Laois. The re-release of Téada’s debut album worldwide later in the year by US label, Green Linnet, saw the band being awarded the prestigious "Best Traditional Newcomers 2003" award from Irish Music Magazine.

After headline performances at all the major US Irish/Celtic festivals over the summer months, and a visit to Germany in October, the band have most recently welcomed Sligo flute-player, Damien Stenson, to the line-up.

Brian McNeill

Brian McNeill was born in Falkirk, Scotland, in 1950. He began his musical training in his early teens with violin lessons, but soon forsook that instrument for the electric guitar. A comprehensive musical education and a mildly misspent youth were the result - until his student years brought him to Celtic music. He knew immediately that this was a music he had to play and as a direct consequence, in 1969 he picked up his fiddle again and formed The Battlefield Band, which has since become one of Scotland's best-known ensembles.

Brian plays fiddle, viola, mandolin, cittern, bouzouki, guitar, concertina, bass and hurdy-gurdy, and the importance of his songwriting mostly about Scotland's past and future has long been recognised. The Yew Tree, The Lads O' The Fair, Montrose and The Snows Of France And Holland were among the best-loved of Battlefield Band's repertoire, and The Devil's Only Daughter won Britain's prestigious National Songsearch competition in 1987.

In 1990 recognition also came in the USA, with the Texas Celtic Music Award for The Rovin' Dies Hard, and since then new compositions such as Strong Women Rule Us All With Their Tears, Any Mick'll Do and No Gods And Precious Few Heroes have established him as one of Scotland's leading songwriters.

 

Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman

Chris and Máire made their début as a duo at the 1987 Cambridge Folk Festival (UK) and since then have brought their "blazing guitar and dancing harp" (Dirty Linen) to twenty-one countries on five continents. Within the past two years they've toured in the USA, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, New Zealand, Japan, Italy Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Ireland and the UK.

Máire is one of the world's greatest harpists and one of Ireland's most important and influential traditional musicians. As a teenager in the 1970s she invented a whole new style of harping that quickly became the norm amongst both her contemporaries and the younger generation of Irish players. In 2001 she received Ireland's most prestigious award, that of Traditional Musician of the Year.

Chris is one of Britain’s leading guitarists and a prolific composer and arranger. He began to play the guitar at the age of four, spent his childhood playing folk music, dabbled in the jazz scene in his teens and spent many years with a variety of acoustic bands, producing an eclectic body of recorded material culminating in the release of his two solo albums Chris Newman and Chris Newman Two. A foray into the commercial music world resulted in a silver disc for producing The Oldest Swinger in Town – which reached No. 1 in the pop charts in many countries and No. 4 in the UK - to which he also composed the tune. One day in 1985 he decided he'd really rather play interesting music than pursue interesting pay checks and thereafter became immersed in the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland. Chris is a former member of Boys of the Lough.

Their latest CD, FireWire is an addictive and stylish cocktail of powerhouse Irish dance music, gorgeous airs, old songs with a contemporary twist and striking new compositions - with a shot of bluegrass thrown in. It's already had some wonderful reviews: "An eclecticism and spirit of adventure that is quite thrilling. Virtuoso playing. bewitching string fantasies and a wonderfully clear and expressive voice." The Times "Maire Ni Chathasaigh is in a class of her own." The Guardian "Dazzling virtuosity... guitar-playing to be marvelled at... exquisitely delivered... delightful" The Daily Telegraph.

The Glengarry Bhoys

A passion inspired by their respective musical backgrounds; skills honed in the Glengarry melting pot music scene; an against-the-trend-pig-minded-approach to playing their self-penned songs in the battle scarred pubs of Eastern Ontario, were the necessary ingredients that spawned what is now an internationally acclaimed alternative-roots band: The Glengarry Bhoys.

Described as bold, unorthodox, vibrant, and evocative, The Glengarry Bhoys’ hybrid of Canadian Highland Scots and French Canadian musical idioms has evolved into a sound that is weighty, authoritative, and extremely entertaining.

The Bhoys combine the best of the old and the new. Their music shows the influences of the Musical heritage of Glengarry, Canada - the mixture of French Canadian and traditional Scottish is a signature characteristic of the region they call home. In addition, the heartfelt, inspired songwriting by Graham adds a contemporary feel to the time-honoured instrumentation. The stunning vocals from Wright, Miranda Mulholland and Zig Leroux mixed with the fluent piping, virtuoso fiddling and thrilling percussion makes this an amazing crossover success.

Their years of determined touring and consistent output have cemented their status at the top of the independent alternative-roots scene. In the United-States, they are a marquee act on the Music Festival circuit, as well as their concert and club shows, which draw crowds usually associated with significant pop acts of today. In Canada, their appeal is much at the same pace, evidenced by their continual placing in top ten purchases made through major online retailers such as “Maple Music”

Ed Miller, John Taylor & Rich Brotherton

Ed Miller is one of the finest singers to emerge from the Scottish folk revival, a guitar-wielding folkie who wins his audiences over with a sweet but powerful voice, a great ear for material, and equal doses of populist politics and wry humor. He learned his craft in the sessions, clubs, and festivals of the folk revival, both in Scotland and the United States. Ed is the host of a folk music program on Austin's NPR station, KUT-FM. He is a performer who has learned his craft in musical venues on both sides of the Atlantic, and a folklorist who brings his love of Scotland to every performance.

Ed is well known in the Dallas area, and has earned a well deserved reputation as the "Token Scot" at the NTIF. Ed will be joined by fiddler John Taylor and guitarist Rich Brotherton. You can also bet a dram that the other canny Scott, Brian will be hanging around just waiting for an invitation to join them.

 

 

 

 

 

Sliabh Notes

Sliabh Notes, from the south-west of Ireland, make a welcome return to NTIF 2007. Since the group was formed in 1995, they have released three albums, and have established an enviable reputation for their high-quality traditional music. They have played at many venues throughout Ireland, and have also performed at major festivals, including NTIF on three previous occasions, Milwaukee Irish Fest, Copenhagen Irish Festival in Denmark, Torino Festival in Italy, Camden Festival in London, Castlewellan Celtic Fusion Festival, and Ballyshannon International Folk Festival. At all these events, Sliabh Notes and their music, which has been described as ‘having a distinctive regional flavour but with international appeal’, were given a very enthusiastic reception.

At the heart of the Sliabh Notes sound is the playing of Dónal Murphy on accordion, and Matt Cranitch on fiddle, who in the words of Paul Dromey, Folk Columnist of the Evening Echo, “have proved themselves to be one of the finest and most electrifying Sliabh Luachra-style box and fiddle duos you could wish to hear.” Added to this is the versatile guitar-playing and unique singing of Tommy O'Sullivan. The result is a dynamic mix of exciting traditional music that is vibrant, powerful and compelling. Nuala O'Connor has said in the Irish Times that “It is difficult not to be carried away by this music.”

Sliabh Luachra, in the south-west of Ireland, is well-known for its unique style of Irish traditional music, particularly its distinctive repertoire of slides and polkas. The area has long been an inspiration and source of influence for Dónal, Matt and Tommy, and this can be heard very much in their music. Their concert repertoire and recordings also feature exciting tunes and songs from other sources, including the American tradition, which is particularly fitting given the theme of this year’s festival.

Sliabh Notes – bringing music from the south-west of Ireland to the American south-west at NTIF 2007 in Dallas. www.copperplatemailorder.com/oss130.html

Gráda

Gráda are based in Dublin and Galway, Ireland, where they began playing together in 2001. The group draws from a wide range of influences, which has seen them working with Dave Hingerty (ex Frames drummer, now working a lot with Josh Ritter); Vyviene Long (cellist with Damien Rice); and, as a producer, Trevor Hutchinson (Lúnasa, Sharon Shannon, The Waterboys). Further additions have included Dublin based trumpeter Bill Blackmore. "A unique slant on traditional music" - The Irish Music Magazine

 

 

 

 

Jed Marum

Jed Marum performs traditional songs and contemporary songs in a musical style that is both Celtic and American. Jed’s recordings play regularly on the radio airwaves around the world and he has licensed recordings to television and film productions currently playing in Europe and soon to be released in the US. At NTIF this year, Jed is releasing his newest solo album, LONESTAR STOUT.

Playing with the Jed Marum this year are:

Karen Mal - a very fine solo performer and songwriter. Karen has performed with traditional Irish music superstars, Joanie Madden and Cherish The Ladies, with Americana Music’s chart topper, Slaid Cleaves and many others.

Tom Leighton - one Canada’s finest exports! A Borealis Recording Artist and performer, Tom also regularly contributes as a studio musician for quite a few of North America’s recording artists. Tom’s performance dates have carried him virtually all over the world.

Jaime Marum has traveled all over Texas the last 14 years playing guitar in a variety of original rock and progressive metal projects. He recently decided to transfer his skills to mandolin and octave mandolin.