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January 7th – 17th, 2014
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Dirk Powell (5–string banjo, fiddle, accordion, voice), Michael McGoldrick (uilleann pipes, flute, whistles), Brendan Gleeson (fiddle), Francis Gaffney (guitar).
“Dirk Powell is the greatest old–time banjo player alive… an artist of unique vision and unbending integrity.”– Steve Earle
“Unconfined and adventurous… legendary.”– BBC Music on Michael McGoldrick
Every once in a while providence throws us into the path of someone who has a gift to bestow. The serendipitous meeting of Dirk Powell and Brendan Gleeson on the set of the Oscar– winning movie Cold Mountain was one of these occasions, and what began as a shared experience of having music passed down from their grandfathers has grown into an exploration of American Old Time, Cajun and Irish traditional music.
While Dirk Powell’s playing is deeply rooted in his Appalachian heritage, he’s played alongside artists as diverse as Emmylou Harris, Jack White, Joan Baez and Steve Earle in addition to working on soundtracks with many of today’s greatest film directors. Brendan Gleeson needs no introduction to Irish audiences, although it’s less well known that he’s a highly– accomplished fiddle player.
Powell’s genius for blending old and new is well matched by the innovative flautist and piper Mike McGoldrick, co–founder of Lúnasa and Flook, who has performed with everyone from Sharon Shannon and the Afro–Celt Sound System to Youssou N’Dour and Mark Knopfler. Neither are strangers to cross cultural collaborations, having regularly participated in the legendary BBC Transatlantic Sessions. Completing the quartet is Francis Gaffney, a renowned guitarist from Boyle, Co. Roscommon, who has regularly toured and recorded with artists such as John Carty, Alec Finn, Joe Kennedy and Arty McGlynn.
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