Daire Bracken
is one of the most exciting and inspiring young fiddlers to emerge on the scene in the past ten years. He began performing and touring at a young age with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri na hEireann whilst at the same time gaining experience in composing and arranging in his school band and other young bands. The most successful of these early ventures being Danú where he was an original member of its quartet sized beginnings.Daire touredwith the likes of the NiamhParsons Band and Stockton’s Wing and got involved with some friends’ ventures such as Galdubh, Osna, various DJs and solo ventures, the latest being a CD with box player David Munnelly and Gavin Ralston called “Swing….”. Daire also comes form a family of musicians who hold All Ireland titles, his brother Shane being a member of the innovative band “Lia Luachra”.
Daire’s present venture is with a band he and some well known musicians of his own age group started in 2000 called Slide. The bandwon Irish Music Magazine Reader’s Poll Award in 2001 as “BestNewcomers”.
Barra McAlister
was born in Portmarnock Co. Dublin in 1982, after attending school there; he studied traditional music performance while on the ceoltoir course. Barra has won numerous competitions throughout his life including county, provincial and all Ireland titles in solo, ceilí band and group, and has also toured England, Scotland, and the United States with Ceoltas Ceoltoirí Eireann.
Barra has travelled extensively with many other performers and bands including Trostan (Vjylandi folk festival, Estonia). He also plays with singer Damien Dempsey, supporting Bob Dylan in Pearce stadium Galway, among other concerts. . Barra currently works as a session musician in Ireland and is currently working on his first album with long time collaborator and partner in crime Andy Leighton.(fiddle player on the Bulmer’s commercial)
Gary Roche
is an extremely talent musician who over the years has developed his craft to a level of superfluous skill. Gary began playing the Uileann Pipes when he was 8 years old at the Cork Pipers Club, where he still tutors whenever he gets the chance.
From there he went on to win the Cork féis Matthew 3 years in a row and followed that with 3 all-Ireland fleadh ceol titles before retiring from competition.
Gary has traveled extensively around the world playing music. His incredible piping has seen him perform to audiences in Australia, America, South Korea, the Middle East and parts of Europe.
In recent years he has enjoyed much success performing with the Irish dance show called Ragús. Gary has many fine live performances, recordings and T.V. appearances to his credit.
His musicianship is quiet superb. His feel and development of dynamic on this extremely complex instrument has got to be admired and respected. Gary has composed some beautiful tunes and is also a fine exponent of the low whistle
Tim Murray
is a Tipperary man with his own inimitable style of guitar playing. From a rhythm and blues background, based in Waterford, Tim performed as vocalist and electric guitarist with many bands on the local and national gigging scene. Tim then graduated into the realm of classical guitar attaining qualifications from Trinity College London. From ‘92 to ’96, Tim taught in the prestigious “Newtown School” Waterford. From here he began to develop his own unique style of accompaniment/backing in Traditional Irish music. His relationship with the Traditional genre led to his membership of Danú – winners of the “International Celtic Festival” at Lorient, France in ‘96. His session work on various recordings has placed him in the company of such respected musicians as Matt Molloy, Maurice Lennon, Tommy Hayes, Mairtín O Connor, Maire Breathnach, Mick O’ Brien and Brian Duke. Performances at festivals have taken him from the U.S.A. to France, onto Denmark, Austria, Latvia, Israel, U.A.E., Italy, Norway.
Tim has also arranged, composed, and coordinated the music for a production of “Macbeth” by a Scottish production company for the Edinburgh Festival ’96.He has also produced albums for Frank Cullen and Mikie Smyth.
He was also the resident guitarist with the very successful and critically acclaimed shows “Ragús” and Maurice Lennon’s “Brian Boru”.
Tim is the founder of the traditional band Cian, with which he sang, played guitar and produced.
The debut album was the third best selling album nationally when it was released.
Cian have enjoyed huge success touring extensively around the world.
Peter Eades
began his professional career in the seveenties, splaying in some of the top Irish show bands, including the ‘Miami’. In 1982, having had many years of experience and interest in the recording process, he and partner Jim Barry set up Irelands first mobile 24-track recording unit. Their first gig was recording ‘Thin Lizzy’s’ last live concert in Dublin. Soon after, it was Christy Moore’s “Ride On” album, which has become a classic.
Still keen on playing, Peter started his own band ‘Jump the Gun’ in 1984, who were hugely successful in Ireland and Scandinavia. In 1991 along with Pat Collins of ‘Phantom Orchestra’ fame, Peter composed “Camillus” a concerto for piano and violin.
The mid 90s saw Peter more and more involved in studio work as a musician/engineer, producer. In this capacity he has worked with some of Ireland’s top acts such as Clannad, The Chieftains, The Dubliners, The 4 of Us, Cian, Moving Hearts, Christy Moore and De Danann.
Paul Moran
is without doubt one of the most experienced and respected Drummer/Percussionist in the business. In 1983 Paul joined Clannad for several tours and albums including Robin Hood, Harry’s Game and the Hit single “Once in a Lifetime” with guest vocalist Bono. After many successful years with Clannad he moved to Davy Spillane’s band. The next step was five years covering the globe with the incredible Riverdance.
Paul’s attention to feel is impeccable; he is simply “a touch of class”. Over the years Paul has spent some time in the Studio with all the greats. His name appears so often in the credits and here’s a few to mention: Christy Moore; Mick Hanly; Maura O’ Connell; Delores Keane; Jimmy Mc Carthy. Bringing it all back home
