Line up

• Cathal Hayden (Fiddle & Banjo)
• Jim Higgins (Percussion)
• Máirtín O'Connor (Accordion)
• Seamie O'Dowd (Guitar)

• country:
  Ireland
• style(s):
  • Celtic
  • Acoustic
• label:
  not signed
• type:
  Band
• gender:
  male
• instrumentation:
  instrumental, vocal
• artist submitted by:
  BallyO Promotions

Thursday 27/10/11 22:15 | Koncerthuset: Studio 1

Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden, Seamie O'Dowd & Jim Higgins have been building a formidable musical relationship under the guise of the Mairtin O'Connor Band since 2001. Individually recognised figureheads of the tradition, they have built solid reputations as master musicians with astounding skill, diversity and virtuosity. Together they produce a vibrant and musically charged experience that redefines one's concept of brilliance, verging on perfection. If this musical powerhouse does not get you to your feet, nothing will.


Mairtin was one of the main musical forces behind the now legendary Riverdance phenomenon. Having previously through his work with De Dannan, Midnight Well and Skylark and also as a solo artist, quite simply gone where no Irish accordion player had gone before. He is one of the most respected and best loved musicians ever to emerge from the country.

Cathal Hayden needs no introduction to anyone even remotely familiar with traditional Irish music. A multiple All-Ireland Championship winner, he achieved world-wide recognition as one of the founder members of Four Men and a Dog. He is one of Ireland's top fiddlers and his solo banjo performances are quite simply show-stopping.

Seamie O'Dowd's musical abilities have become increasingly familiar at international level in recent years. Rooted deeply in the traditional music of Sligo, he has played in many genres of acoustic and electric music. He toured the world for a number of years with Sligo trad legends Dervish and recently has played both home and abroad with Liam O'Flynn, Matt Molloy and Mary McPartlan.

Jim Higgins hails from Renmore in Galway. Born into a musical family, he went on to study music in University College Cork under Micheal O Suilleabhain amongst others. While in Cork, Jim caught 'the bodhran bug', playing alongside players such as Mel Mercier, Colm Murphy and Frank Torpey. During this period Jim was an active member of 'The Stunning' rock band playing trumpet and keyboards as well as percussion. He went on to play drums with fellow Galwegians 'The Sawdoctors' following a four year stint with 'The Riverdance Show' which took him around the world.
He is an honorary member of the Donegal based traditional group 'Altan' having recorded and toured extensively with them for the last fifteen years from the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House. Jim also specializes in ethnic percussion encompassing the djembe, the darabukkas, the dumbeq and the mbira.


Available from late 2008 their new album 'Crossroads' made a top 3 slot in Earle Hitchner's Top 10 traditional albums of the year.

'In concept and execution, "Crossroads" is a tantalizing and altogether terrific album from Irish traditional music's own "power trio" of Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden, and Seamie O'Dowd. These three mean business and achieve art. Bravo.'
Earle Hitchner. The Wall Street Journal and Ceol Columnist, Irish Echo, NY, USA.

Links

• Myspace page of Máirtín O'Connor Band
• Official website of Máirtín O'Connor Band
• Facebook page of Máirtín O'Connor Band
• Youtube videos