BIO'S

John McSherry & 'At First Light'

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).

Alan Burke (Guitar, Vocals)

Alan started his singing career fronting the Irish band Afterhours with whom he released three recordings, all of which were widely received and toured extensively throughout Europe, Canada and America. On the demise of that group, Alan began a new venture with the release of his first solo CD "On the Other Hand" in 1998. This was followed in 2000 by his second solo recording "Tip of the Tongue". Both these recordings received high praise and his subsequent touring brought him everywhere from Bahrain to Belfast to Croatia to Cardiff..and on..... His voice has been described as "Full of power, sensitivity and clarity". His guitar playing, being influenced by his earlier incarnation as a session drummer/percussionist is characterised by strong driving rhythms alongside a more gentle and sympathetic approach to the quieter side of his repertoire. Alan's inexhaustible repertoire of traditional, Gaelic, self-penned and contemporary song has kept him busy as a solo performer and collaborator with a wide variety of other musicians. His performance, presence and delivery demanding the attention of his audience

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!

Ruben Bada (Bazouki)

Ruben Bada was born in Aviles, in the northern coast of Asturies, and raised in the Cape Penes area, where the Asturian language and culture are still healthy and alive. He began playing guitar at the age of 14, learning both bazouki and fiddle soon after. Ruben started his recording career in 1998 with the band Xeliba with whom he recorded two albums. Soon after he became a highly sought after studio musician and producer, working with Asturian acts such as Anabel Santiago, Mari luz Cristobal, N'arba, Corquieu, Tejedor, Dixebra, Llac’n Pipe Band, u?, Toli Morilla...touring all over Europe. In 2000 he won the Asturian Traditional Music Contest on fiddle. In 2004 Ruben moved to Belfast, and soon he became part of the local music scene. Currently, Ruben is also playing with the band DRD, and in February 2006, was awarded "Best Instrumentalist" in the Asturian Music Awards.