Five leading lights of the traditional music scene join forces for a special performance at Monroe’s Live as part of this year’s Galway International Arts Festival on Sunday, July 23 at 9pm.
Having been at the forefront of Irish music for over 20 years, these five maestros have performed in every corner of the globe with the biggest names in the industry, including Mark Knopfler, Sharon Shannon and Christy Moore.
The band consists of fiddler Seán Smyth, multi-instrumentalist Michael McGoldrick on flutes and pipes, Alan Kelly on piano accordion, Jim Higgins on bodhran, and percussion and guitarist Jim Murray.
As all Ireland champion on both fiddle and whistle, Seán Smyth has pioneered a path for traditional music around the world.
Best known for his work with Lúnasa, his debut solo album, The Blue Fiddle garnered critical acclaim, as he toured across Scandinavia and Australia alongside low whistle player, Michael McGoldrick.
The award-winning Michael McGoldrick followed a similar path, scooping numerous All-Ireland titles in flute and whistles by the age of 15.
Musician of the year at the BBC folk awards, the Manchester born artist has played with Scottish folk-legends Capercaillie, became a founding member of Lúnasa and even performed on Coronation Street.
Experimenting with a fusion of traditional music with trance and jazz, McGoldrick continues to push the boundaries of the folk genre.
Also joining this enchanting night of music is Alan Kelly, who is described as “in league with the best piano accordionists in the world”.
The musician, composer and arranger has toured with the likes of Eddi Reader, Matt Molloy, Seán Keane, De Dannan and Lúnasa and is credited with giving new life to the piano accordion.
His second album, Mosaic was heralded as one of the top ten trad albums of the year, as he incorporated South American rhythms to craft a cinematic jazz feel.
The sheer scope and breadth of his illustrious career is testament to this playful and experimental approach to music.
Hailing from Renmore, bodhran player Jim Higgins studied music under the tutelage of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, before embarking on a career with The Stunning, The Sawdoctors and Riverdance.
An honorary member of the Donegal based traditional group Altan, he has toured extensively with them, from the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House.
Not only that, but he has recorded and performed with such luminaries as Paul Brady, Christy Moore, Liam O’Flynn, Donal Lunny, Bill Whelan, Martin O’Connor and Lúnasa.
Completing the line-up for this uplifting and emotive voyage into the heart of traditional Irish music is one of the world’s leading Irish guitar players, Jim Murray.
Over the last two decades, Jim has toured and recorded both nationally and internationally with many of Ireland’s renowned artists including Sharon Shannon, Sinead O’Connor, Steve Earl, Shane McGowan, Seamus Begley, and Mary Black.
His ability to combine a wide range of music and influences establishes a fresh modern sound.
Together, the interplay between these legends in the field of folk weaves a rich tapestry that is both powerful and sensitive, dynamic and haunting.
It’s set to be an unmissable event as the raw talents and experience of this five-piece combine to bring imaginative arrangements to the award winning Monroe’s Live.
Tickets to a night with renowned trad musicians McGoldrick, Smyth, Murray, Kelly and Higgins, taking place on Sunday, July 23 at 9pm, cost €25 and are available from monroes.ie
