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With dualling uilleann pipes, driving guitar, dazzling fiddle, whistles, keys and bodhran, this band display their immense talents on an array of instruments, creating a sonic landscape that is bound to capture the imagination of all who listen. The pedegree of each individual musician is outstanding, their experience and sheer mastery of the music evident for all to see but it is when their considerable talents are combined, that you can expect the unexpected.
John
McSherry (Uilleann Pipes, Low Whistles)
John Mc Sherry is hailed as one of the finest exponents of the art
of uilleann piping in the world today - "a true master"
- Irish Music Magazine. Described as being "at the forefront
of modern innovation" - Green Man Review, he has taken
piping and whistle playing to new heights with his unique style.
His sense for improvisation has even been compared to that of the
great Jazz legend John Coletrane. Coming from a family
steeped in traditional music, John focused his energies on the pipes
from an early age. By the time he reached fifteen he had two All
Ireland Championship titles under his belt and at the age of eighteen
he was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious 'Oireachtas'
piping competition. John has toured the world as both a solo performer
and a member of several outstanding bands. He was a founding member
of top trad bands 'Tamalin' and 'Lunasa' as well as a lead instrumentalist
with Donal Lunny's ground-breaking supergroup 'Coolfin', which included
Sharon Shannon and Nollaig Casey. He is a composer, producer, arranger
and established studio session musician of world class renown, recording
and performing with everybody from Clannad, Sinead O'Connor and
Nancy Griffiths, to Shaun Davey, Dan Ar Braz
and The Corrs.
Donal
O'Connor (Fiddle, Keyboards)
Son of the celebrated fiddler Gerry O'Connor (La Lugh, Skylark,
Kinvara) and renowned singer Eithne Ni Uallachain (La Lugh), Donal
O'Connor has inherited a musical legacy of at least five generations
of fiddle playing and countless generations of traditional singing.
Highly regarded as a great fiddle player, he was asked at the tender
age of 21 to take part in the prestigious 'Music Network Tour of
Ireland' alongside Scottish Guitarist Tony Mc Manus, Fermanagh purveyor
of song Gabriel McArdle and ace Belfast Piper John McSherry. Donal's
playing was described recently by the press as "..immaculate..
"electrifying" and"..borne out of naked talent and
consummate professionalism.."-The Irish Times. He has toured
Europe and the USA extensively from a young age as both a lead and
backing instrumentalist with a number of bands including La Lugh,
amongst others. Currently living in Belfast in the North of Ireland,
Donal is part of an extremely vibrant music scene and is regarded
as "One of the outstanding players of his generation"-J.B.
Vallelly (Highly acclaimed Irish Artist).
Francis
McIlduff (Bodhran, Uilleann Pipes & Low Whistles)
Born into the legendary McPeake family in Belfast, Francis McIlduff
was introduced to the sights and sounds of traditional music at
a very early age, and whilst widely recognised today as one of the
finest pipers in the country, it was on the bodhran that he made
his debut performance at the age of 12. Influenced in style particularly
by Christy Moore, his bodhran playing was soon to take a back seat
to the uillean pipes more synonymous with the family name. Along
with the pipes, the seemingly obligatory outstanding low whistle
playing soon went hand in hand at performances the length and breadth
of the country. Since debuting with the family band, ' Clann McPeake'
at a very tender age, Francis has gone on to perform with some of
the foremost traditional and contemporary artistes in music today,
including the seminal Irish folk rock outfit 'Alias Ron Kavana',
'Sin E', 'Afterhours' featuring singer Alan Burke, and Hungarian
based traditional outfit 'Fianne'. He is also in great demand as
a session musician across Europe... An excellent piper, great low
whistle player and nifty bodhran player to boot!
Michael Mc Cague (Bazouki, Guitar)
Michael Mc Cague has been playing bazouki and guitar since the age of sixteen, having played traditional music on the fiddle from the tender age of six. His talents as an accompianist are in high demand and he has performed with countless high profile musicians such as the highly renowned fiddle player Frankie Gavin. In 2005, he recorded with Edel Fox (former TG4 young musician of the year) and Leitrim flute player Dave Sheridan along with Seamie O Dowd and fiddle hero Brian Rooney. In 2006, he joined up with John Carty's traditional group "At the Racket", filling the role of previous guitarists Garry O' Briain and Arty Mc Glynn, with whom he recorded their 3rd album - 'It's Not Racket Science'. Other than Irish music, Michael has a diverse taste in other forms of music such as gypsy jazz, big band jazz, blues, classic rock n' roll and Bluegrass music. It was with great pleasure that he joined up with the "At First Light" band in early 2009.
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