ALAN KELLY has been described by New York’s Irish Voice as “in league with the best piano accordionists in the world”. He returns to the stage with his new 4 piece line-up performing music from his most recent album, After the Morning, named one of the top ten musical highs of 2009 by the Irish Times who described it as a “humdinger of a collection”. Joining Alan are DONOGH HENNESSY, one of Ireland’s most sought after guitar players and a founding member of the trad super group, Lúnasa; the great Clare fiddle player and long time sparring partner, TOLA CUSTY and a brilliant, emerging talent on the traditional music scene, New York/Irish flautist, STEPH GEREMIA on flute/whistle/vocals. The quartet will also be joined on the night by the mesmerizing Glaswegian vocalist, EDDI READER (formerly of Fairground Attraction).
Though hailing from the rich traditional musical landscape of Roscommon, variety in repertoire is an Alan Kelly hallmark. The Quartet will perform music from all over the Celtic regions including Ireland, Brittany, Asturius and Louisiana alongside original compositions that stem from a deep traditional sensitivity. Each a respected artist in their own right, the four members of The Alan Kelly Quartet combine their individual virtuosity with unparalleled musicianship and group empathy. “The arrangements are world class” (Irish Music Magazine). Here, innovation meets a sympathetic approach to the past, present and future of traditional music. The Alan Kelly Quartet has been described by the Irish Times as “a brilliantly talented, effortless and exuberant performance”. Their music will draw even the most fainthearted listener into the passion that they put into the music they play – magical, joyous and uplifting!
With the release of his debut, solo album, Out Of The Blue (1997), Alan exploded onto the traditional music scene with such impact that he is generally credited with ‘making the piano accordion hip again’. With the release of two further critically acclaimed albums: Mosaic (2000) and Fourmilehouse (2003), he subsequently carved a strong niche for himself performing on Folk and World Music stages around the globe and has toured and recorded with stalwarts including Mike McGoldrick, Lúnasa, De Dannan and Arty McGlynn.
Since 2005 Alan has toured the world as part of the Eddi Reader Band and recorded on her last four albums. His friendship with Eddi has resulted in a beautiful collaboration on a song written by Eddi’s partner, songwriter John Douglas (of the legendary Scottish band, The Trashcan Sinatras). The collaborative work ‘I Hung My Harp Upon The Willows’ appears on Alan’s latest album, After The Morning.
Eddi Reader grew up in Glasgow and Irvine, Scotland and it was in those towns that she learned to use music as a vehicle for communicating with others. She has been described as a singer with meltingly true vocals and a towering romanticism. It was her time with Fairground Attraction that really brought her into the limelight as the group’s single, ‘Perfect’ and parent album, First of a Million Kisses, both topped the British charts. She also famously harmonized with Annie Lennox touring with the Eurythmics, and had a successful stint with punk outfit, Gang of Four. She has since released seven acclaimed solo albums including the classic ‘Songs Of Robert Burns’ that was released to international acclaim in 2003. Awarded the MBE in 2006 for services to singing, she took her Burns songs on tour all over the world. Her seventh solo album was released early this year and continues to set Eddi Reader apart through her ability not only to move the listener but to connect her experience to that of her audience.
