Fiddle Concert in memory of Seán Maguire

Doors: 19:30 | Unreserved Seating
Age permitted: 18+ only
Tickets: £17.50

https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com/concerts2023/sean-maguire-fiddle

In Association with The Sean Maguire Music Society

Featuring Bríd Harper, Len Graham, Gerry ‘Banjo’ O‘Connor, Méabh Smyth, John McCusker, Conor Caldwell, Siobhán Peoples, Ademar O’Connor & Ryan Molloy,

The word ‘genius’ may be over-used these days, but there’s no other way of describing the phenomenon of Sean Maguire in the world of traditional music. The Belfast man rewrote the book on fiddle playing after bursting onto the scene in the 40s with a combination of dazzling virtuosity, high creativity and passion for performance. It was a style which pushed the boundaries, nettled the fundamentalists and which he himself called ‘progressive traditional’. Tonight we pay tribute to the man and his music with a concert featuring some of the finest traditional musicians on the planet.

Bríd Harper – With Irish traditional music ingrained into her upbringing Bríd is regarded as one of the leading Irish traditional fiddle players of the last forty years.

Len Graham is an award-winning traditional singer from County Antrim who holds great passion for the songs of his native Ulster.

Gerry ‘Banjo’ O’Connor - described by many as the best four string banjoist in the history of Irish music, lets creativity take him where it wants to.

Méabh Smyth has grown with the inspiration of the fiery, rhythmic fiddle playing style native to South Ulster and Donegal and has since developed her own unique style and is the current TG4 Gradam Ceoil Ceoltóir óg na Bliana.

Scottish fiddler John McCusker has shared stages with Paul Weller, Paolo Nutini, Teenage Fanclub, Graham Coxon and Eddi Reader. Since 2008, he has been a member of Mark Knopfler’s band, playing arenas around the world including a double bill with Bob Dylan at The Hollywood Bowl and 20 nights at the Royal Albert Hall.

Conor Caldwell - Known for his energetic northern fiddle style, Conor’s music is informed by his research in Irish music which explores both archival and contemporary sources.

Siobhán Peoples is steeped in the musical history of counties Donegal, through her father Tommy, and Clare, through her grandmother Kitty Linnane, the pianist with the original Kilfenora Céilí Band.

Ademar O’Connor from Edenderry, Co. Offaly was crowned Fiddler of London 2023 at the live final which took place at The Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, London recently.

Ryan Molloy is widely recognised as one of the masters of modern accompaniment in Irish traditional music.