Presented by the Center for Irish Music, the Master Artists Concert is the signature event of the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend. Don’t miss this rare chance to see the visiting master artists perform together on one stage! This unique combination of musicians will likely never perform together again so don’t miss out!
The concert will be outside, weather permitting, on CJAC’s lovely outdoor stage, or inside the main performance space of the Celtic Junction. Concert doors open at 7:00 pm.
Adults (In Person) $25 advance / $30 at the door. Youth 18 years and under get in FREE.
From North Connemara, Liz and Yvonne Kane, known as The Kane Sisters, are much respected musicians and educators. They were taught music by the great Sligo musician and music teacher, Mary Finn and by their grandfather, local fiddle player, Jimmy Mullen. From a young age, they have been very influenced by the traditional music of Sligo and East Galway, in particular the music of the master composer and fiddle player Paddy Fahey.
Liz and Yvonne first came to national and international prominence when they toured with accordion player Sharon Shannon as members of her band The Woodchoppers.
Gráinne Hambly – concertina, harp
Gráinne Hambly from County Mayo is an internationally recognized exponent of the Irish harp, and is in great demand as a performer and teacher, both at home and abroad. She studied music at Queen’s University Belfast and also plays concertina.
Gráinne has toured and recorded with various artists, including performances as far afield as Japan, Brazil and Colombia as well as frequent tours to the USA. She has released 3 critically acclaimed solo CDs, as well as 2 books of harp music.
Seán Gavin – flute, uilleann pipes
Founder and director of the Irish Music Institute, Seán Gavin is one of the most highly regarded Irish musicians of his generation. He’s the author of the popular new instructional book, The Tin Whistle Method, published by Hal Leonard and in 2016 he became the first musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada gold medal. Seán tours regularly with his critically acclaimed new concert series, “From Shore to Shore,” as well as with the groups Téada and Irish Christmas in America.
Máirín Uí Chéide – song
Máirín Uí Chéide was born in Galway Ireland and grew up in Ceantar na nOileán in the Connemara Gealtacht. A Boston resident since 1986, she has immersed herself in the cultural and language movement since her arrival to the United States, traveling around the country teaching and performing the art of Seanós singing. She has recorded many of her songs and has a collection in Burns Library of Boston College. She has many awards from Oireachtas na Gaeilge including the coveted Corn Uí Riada. Máirín was inducted into the North American Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann Hall of Fame in recognition of her ardent championing of Irish cultural traditions. She has also taught Irish language and singing for many years to students from across the globe, maintaining the oral nature of the transmission of the culture as much as possible. She is a cofounder of Boston le Gaeilge, and has presented successful Irish Language Radio programs both in the US and Ireland for many years.
Sean McComiskey – accordion
Sean McComiskey is among the most innovative young performers on the button accordion, with a unique harmonic style that has earned him a spot in the pantheon of Irish accordionists far beyond his native Baltimore. As the son of legendary button accordion player and National Heritage Fellow Billy McComiskey, Sean has been surrounded by Irish Traditional music his entire life and has developed a deep appreciation for the tradition of which he is a part. This has helped Sean establish a reputation as a highly regarded teacher and promulgator of Irish music and earned him teaching positions at festival all over North America.
Marla Fibish – mandolin
One of the prominent voices of the mandolin in Irish music, Marla brings a deep and distinctive sensibility to the music on one of its lesser-heard instruments. Her playing is featured on her 2020 album The Bright Hollow Fog, the 2017 Noctambule release A Sweetish Tune, and The Morning Star, and a duo CD with legendary Irish singer and bouzouki player Jimmy Crowley. An experienced and sought-after teacher, Marla teaches private students and classes, online at Peghead Nation, and has been on the faculty of many music camps including The Swannanoa Gathering, The Mandolin Symposium, O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, and others.
Gavin Strappe – banjo, mandolin
Gavin Strappe hails from County Tipperary and is a former Senior All-Ireland champion. Gavin graduated with First Class Honors in Music Performance from Dublin Institute of Technology and also completed a Masters of Education from The University of Limerick.
He is a member of the Irish band JigJam and tours extensively throughout America performing at a number of major music festivals & venues. Their latest release ‘Phoenix’ won best Americana album at the Independent Music Awards. Gavin has performed at a number of prestigious venues including The Grand Old Opry and Ireland’s flagship late night show ‘The Late Late Show’.
Celtic Junction Arts Center is a sponsor of the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend.
