Ciaran Algar Releases The Final Waltz

Multi-instrumentalist Ciaran Algar has a new album titled The Final Waltz (Fellside). Ciaran plays fiddle, guitar, banjo, and percussion and is one of the most highly-regarded young musicians on the Folk circuit today.

In 2015, Ciaran began working on a solo project that resulted in his debut solo album, The Final Waltz. The primary vocalist in the band is emerging singer, Sam Kelly. The majority of the album, nonetheless, is instrumental, and the tunes that are used in the sets are a selection of Ciaran’s favorites that he has learned over the last 11 years of playing Irish fiddle. Rather than recording every tune set with fiddle and guitar, Ciaran has combine traditional tunes with a contemporary-style of accompaniment. The Ciaran Algar band will be touring in 2016.

Ciaran’s musical influences come from deep within the Irish tradition. This Irish connection led to Ciaran taking part in the Fleadhs run by Comhaltas, in which he was really successful. Over 8 years of competing, he won 20 regional titles, 12 British titles and 1 All Ireland title across various categories (fiddle, fiddle slow airs, bodhran) all by the time he was 16 years old.

In late 2011, Ciaran met young singer and guitarist Greg Russell for the first time, and played a few songs with him. The duo has won two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (and a third nomination) and released two albums, Call and Queen’s Lover, and a live DVD, Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar in Concert.