(headline image: Liz Knowles – Photo by Earl Richardson)
Liz Knowles is a renowned fiddler whose music seamlessly combines the fire of Irish fiddle traditions with the rich tonalities of classical violin. With early acclaim as a performer in Riverdance and as a soloist on the Michael Collins soundtrack, she quickly established herself as a versatile and virtuoso musician. Over her career, she has performed as a soloist with orchestras like the New York Pops, played on Broadway in The Pirate Queen, and served as the Music Director and performer with Celtic Legends for over four years. Currently, she is a key member of the String Sisters and the Martin Hayes Quartet.
In addition to her performance career, Knowles is a sought-after teacher of Irish music and has taught at workshops and festivals across the U.S. and Ireland. Her compositions and arrangements have been performed by a range of artists, including John Whelan and Liz Carroll, and her works have been featured by ensembles such as the Chicago Metropolis Symphony Orchestra.
In 2016, Knowles co-produced a CD and performance project with Liz Carroll for the Art Institute of Chicago, aligning with their exhibit “Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840.” This project, along with her work with the String Sisters and Martin Hayes Quartet, reflects her continued evolution as a musician, embracing the full scope of her diverse musical experiences.
Liz Knowles continues to bring her unique mix of Celtic music and classical traditions to stages worldwide, captivating audiences with her dynamic performances and innovative compositions.
Liz performs with the trio Open the Door for Three, along with Kieran O’Hare and Dublin-born bouzouki player and singer Pat Broaders. Their fourth album together, A Prosperous Gale, was released in 2024.
Discography:
The Celtic Fiddle Of Liz Knowles (Lyrichord, 1998)
A Celtic Spectacular (Telarc, 2002)
Making Time (2010)
Open the Door for Three (self-release, 2012)
The Penny Wager (self-release, 2015)
The Joyful Hour (self-release, 2017)
A Prosperous Gale (self-release, 2024)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.