Description
A Living History of Irish Music
Masters of Tradition is a unique festival, held each year in the Irish coastal town of Bantry to celebrate traditional Irish music in its purest form. The festival’s artistic Director, Martin Hayes, who astonished Sydney Festival audiences in 2007, brings this unique event to the Sydney Opera House, drawing together one of the finest line-ups of Irish musicians ever assembled.
The idea for the festival evolved from Hayes' call to create a space where the heart of traditional music could be exposed. The concept has evolved over the years to produce a performance format that gives a real insight into the musical journeys that these musicians, and the music that they play, have taken over the years.
These very special concerts will feature
Martin Hayes – Artistic Director - fiddle
Born in Ireland’s East County Clare, Martin Hayes plays in the slow lyrical style native to that part of Ireland. Hayes shares a unique musical kinship with guitarist Dennis Cahill which has brought international renown to the traditional music genre.
Iarla Ó Lionáird – vocals
Born into a small, Irish-speaking enclave in West Cork, Iarla Ó’Lionáird’s upbringing revolved around singing as the dominant form of expression. As vocalist for the Afro Celt Sound System, Iarla played festivals all over the world and recorded five albums with the group before his remarkable solo efforts.
David Power – uilleann pipes
David Power was born of a musical family in County Waterford. He played the whistle from a young age, and at 10 was encouraged to take up the uilleann pipes. David won the Senior All-Ireland Piping Championship and the coveted Oireachtas Piping competitions in 1992. He has represented Ireland at the Lorient Interceltic Festival and was a member of Liam Clancy’s Fairweather Band.
Cathal Hayden – fiddle
Fiddle player Cathal Hayden has a natural and distinctive style, original and inventive. Hayden was catalyst for the formation of Four Men & a Dog, one of the foremost Irish traditional bands of all time.
Máirtín O’Connor – accordion
With an accordion style displaying astounding skill, dexterity and versatility Máirtin O’Connor has played with many of traditional music’s leading groups as well as collaborating with artists including Elvis Costello, The Chieftains and The Dubliners.
Steve Cooney – guitar
An Australian of Irish ancestry, Steve Cooney has been living in Ireland for many years. One of Ireland’s leading guitarists, he is also a much sought-after and highly regarded producer, having worked with many of the greats in the Irish music industry.
Dennis Cahill – guitar
Born in Chicago to parents from County Kerry, Dennis Cahill’s innovative accompaniment is acknowledged as a major breakthrough for guitar in the Irish tradition. Cahill’s playing turns minimalism into an art-form.
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes including one 20 minute interval.