About the Artists
Mick Moloney is the artistic director of the Absolutely Irish concert,
selecting the musicians,
the repertoire and the arrangements in collaboration with the other musicians,
and leading the group on stage. Mick plays the tenor banjo, on which he is the
acknowledged world master, in addition to the mandolin, guitar and vocals.
Mick Moloney's Website
Mac Benford is a widely respected veteran performer on the old-time banjo.
He has recorded and performed widely on the American folk music scene,
and is currently based in upstate New York.
Mac Benford's Website
Liz Carroll of Chicago won the National Heritage Fellowship award in 1994.
A longstanding master, she has taken in the work of all the great fiddlers
of the past and now creates her own compositions, pushing the boundaries
of the form with a frightening virtuosity.
Liz Carroll's Website
Karan Casey is “the most soulful singer to emerge in Irish traditional music in the last decade.”
Born in Ireland and living now in County Cork and in New York,
she is widely revered in both Ireland and America where she tours extensively.
She was one of the founding members of Solas.
Karan Casey's Website
Tim Collins is the winner of the All-Ireland title on the concertina.
He was recently a Fullbright scholar at New York University before
returning to his native Ireland, where he is a regular performer and teacher.
Tim Collins' Website
Brendan Dolan plays piano and composes in several styles and contexts,
but is widely known for his expertise in Irish music.
He is the son of legendary piano player Felix Dolan.
Brendan Dolan's Website
John Doyle plays guitar with a percussive, driving rhythm that makes him
a sought-after accompanist in Irish music recording and performing.
A founding member of Solas, he toured and recorded with Linda Thompson,
Tim 'Brien and many others. More recently, he records as a solo act playing
the guitar and singing.
John Doyle's Website
Seamus Egan has won All-Ireland titles on more instruments-
banjo, mandolin, flute and whistle-than any other musician.
Today he's best known as the leader of the widely popular Solas,
but is also known as a film soundtrack composer and producer and arranger
of other artists' recordings.
Seamus Egan's Website
Eileen Ivers is a brilliant fiddle player with her own band, Immigrant Soul.
Eileen, a resident of New York, has won the All-Ireland fiddle title a record eight times
and is widely know for her fiery, virtuosic playing.
She was one of the founding members of Solas.
Eileen Ivers' Website
Rhys Jones is a precociously talented fiddler and one of old-time music's
brightest young stars. He has performed with many leading artists and is in wide
demand as a studio player.
Joanie Madden was the first American to win the Senior All-Ireland Championship on
the whistle and has been recognized as the Traditional Musician of the Year.
Adept at both flute and whistle, she is the leader of the widely beloved
group, Cherish the Ladies.
Joanie's Madden
Billy McComiskey began playing accordion in his native Brooklyn in his early teens.
He has won the Senior All Ireland accordion title, the highest honor recognizing
players of the accordion, and was inducted into the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
Hall of Fame in 2005. Billy represents a century-long tradition of playing
in the measured,lyrical melodeon style popularized by John Kimmel
at the turn of the century.
Susan McKeown is a singer of the highest order, founder of the landmark
group Chanting House and in wide demand for concerts and theatrical work.
She recently won a Grammy Award for her work with the Klezmatics.
Susan McKeown's Website
Jo McNamara is a veteran performer who has been performing and
teaching Irish dance for over 70 years.
Born in Dublin, she now lives in New York City where she is a beloved figure of
the Irish cultural scene.
Robbie O'Connell learned much of his early repertoire in his native Tipperary
from his illustrious uncles,The Clancy Brothers. He started writing his own
songs in his teens and is now one of the most inventive arrangers and songwriters,
as well as being an excellent singer of traditional Irish songs.
Robbie O'Connell's Website
Niall O'Leary is a former World and All-Ireland champion dancer
from Dublin who now lives in New York. He has formed dancing schools in
Dublin and New York, choreographed many groups including the Irish team for the
World Championships, and performs regularly in his flashy, high-kicking stage style.
Niall O'Leary's Website
Jerry O'Sullivan is widely hailed as AmericaÕs premier uilleann piper.
He has played on over 90 albums and on many film soundtracks.
Jerry also plays tin whistle and low whistle, and Scottish pipes.
Jerry O'Sullivan's Website
Mike Rafferty is an 80 year-old master of the Irish flute.
Originally from East Galway,
the son of a legendary flute player “Barrel” Rafferty,
Mike came to America in 1949 and now lives in New Jersey. He continues to play in the
beautiful old East Galway style famed for its subtlety and lyricism.
Mike Rafferty's Website
Athena Tergis learned Scottish music from master fiddler Alastair Fraiser
and then moved to Ireland where she immersed herself in Irish music. She played
with the Sharon Shannon band, with Lord of the Dance and Riverdanc, and
with the Clarence Clemons band.
Athena Tergis's Website
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