BIO'S

The John McSherry Band

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.