Ireland’s premier musical ambassadors, The Chieftains, make their debut appearance at Walt Disney Concert Hall to kick off the 2007/2008 World Music series on Thursday, February 21, at 8 p.m. With a career spanning 44 years and 43 albums, six Grammy Awards, 19 Grammy nominations and an Academy Award, The Chieftains are the most enduring and influential creative force in establishing the international appeal of Celtic music.
The Chieftains’ performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall is part of their Celtic-Scottish Connection 2008 Tour, incorporating a trio of renowned musicians from Scotland as special guests. Fronting the trio is Alyth McCormack, a singer/actress who received critical acclaim for her first solo album An Iomall (The Edge) released by Vertical Records. McCormack is accompanied by pianist and singer Brian Mcalpine and guitarist/fiddle player Jonny Hardie. Says chief Chieftain Paddy Moloney, “The connection between Irish and Scottish music is undeniable and I’m excited to finally be celebrating this with these great talents.”Joining this group of musical multinationals is notable Irish harpist Triona Marshall, the young Canadian acrobatic dancing team of brothers’ Jon and Nathan Pilatzke, as well as traditional Irish dancer Cara Butler. The dancing Pilatzkes have been a part of The Chieftain’s show for just over five years dazzling audiences with their acrobatic and musical abilities. Rounding out the group is Maureen Fahy (fiddle and vocals), and Irish vocalist Carmel Conway.
The 2007-08 World Music series at Walt Disney Concert Hall continues with Eva Ayllón on Friday, March 7, when she performs her signature style of “música criolla;” legendary Bollywood playback singer Asha Bhosle performs on Sunday, April 27, celebrating her 75th birthday; and Kronos Quartet and Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq, present a spectacular collaboration, Nunavut, and a world premiere by composer Derek Charke on Saturday, May 3.
Paddy Moloney founded The Chieftains in Dublin, Ireland in 1962 where the band’s traditional sounds were in sharp contrast to the slick commercial output coming from the Emerald Isle at that time. Touring worldwide in support of their first four albums, The Chieftains garnered international acclaim, an ever-growing fan base, and respect among their contemporaries. In 1975, they were asked by legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick to write and record the soundtrack for the film, Barry Lyndon, featuring the single “Women of Ireland” for which they won an Academy Award.
In 1988, they joined forces with fellow countryman Van Morrison on Irish Heartbeat which began an historic series of collaborations including recordings with The Rolling Stones, Sting, Tom Jones, James Galway, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, Sinead O’Connor, Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, Ry Cooder and many others. In 1992, they recorded the double Grammy-winning Another Country, with performances by veteran country and bluegrass stars such as Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Chet Atkins and Don Williams.
In 2002, they returned to Nashville for Down the Old Plank Road, their Grammy-nominated 40th career album featuring such special guests as Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Earl Scruggs, Alison Krauss, and Martina McBride. Their 2006 release, The Essential Chieftains, serves as a gathering of the group’s greatest and most loved melodies. With classics like “O’Sullivan’s March,“ “Boil the Breakfast Early,” and “Santiago de Cuba,” it is a collection that rightly honors the band’s longevity in the musical world.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places anywhere to experience music — Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association’s involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational programs, community concerts and children’s programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.
The Chieftains:
- Paddy Moloney, uilleann pipes
- Kevin Conneff, bodhrán, vocals
- Seán Keane, fiddle
- Matt Molloy, flute
Special Guests:
- Alyth Mccormack, vocals
- Carmel Conway, vocals
- Brian Mcalpine, piano
- Jonny Hardie, guitar, fiddle
- Triona Marshall, harp
- Jon and Nathan Pilatzke, acrobatics, fiddle
- Cara Butler, traditional Irish dance
- Maureen Fahy, fiddle, vocals
Tickets ($35 – $88) are on sale now at the l Box Office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For information, please call 323.850.2000.
Thursday, February 21, 2008, 8 PM
Walt Disney Concert Hal is located at 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
