Dennis Cahill was a virtuoso guitarist versed in classical, blues, rock and traditional Irish music. Cahill was born and raised in Chicago to parents from County Kerry, Ireland. He studied classical guitar at the Chicago Music College, and was well known on the local music scene, playing folk, rock, and blues. He met Irish fiddler Martin Hayes in Chicago in the 1980s when both joined the experimental Celtic-rock-fusion group Midnight Court.
Cahill’s innovative Celtic music accompaniment is acknowledged as being a major breakthrough for guitar in the Irish tradition. In addition to his recordings and live work with Martin Hayes, Dennis performed with such renowned fiddlers as Liz Carroll, Eileen Ivers and Kevin Burke.
Later, Cahill and Hayes would perform for President Obama in Washington, for President of Ireland Michael D Higgins at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and for the European Union in Brussels. The duo collaborated with a wide range of artists including jazz musicians Bill Frisell and Cassandra Wilson, country music star Ricky Skaggs, Spanish composer Jordi Savall, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and Sting.
Cahill worked with numerous Irish and Irish-American artists including Jimmy Keane and Liz Carroll. He was also a record producer and art photographer.
Cahill was a member of The Gloaming, an Irish-American supergroup that also included Martin Hayes, singer Iarla Ó Lionáird, fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and pianist Doveman.
Dennis Cahill died on June 20, 2022.
Discography:
The Lonesome Touch, with Martin Hayes (Green Linnet, 1997)
Live in Seattle, with Martin Hayes (Green Linnet, 1999)
Welcome Here Again, with Martin Hayes (Green Linnet, 2008)
The Gloaming (Brassland Records, 2014)
The Gloaming 2 (Brassland Records, 2016)
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.