CSPS debut |
Irish fiddle virtuoso Martin Hayes and American guitarist
Dennis Cahill possess a rare musical kinship, ranking them among the most
memorable partnerships of our era.
Together they have garnered international renown for taking Celtic and
traditional music to the very edge of the genre, holding listeners
spellbound with their slow-building, fiery performances. The duo opens the
doors of traditional Irish music and releases its pure, distilled beauty
while incorporating sensibilities from the worlds of classical, blues and
jazz.
The New York
Times calls them "a Celtic complement to Steve Reich’s quartets or Miles
Davis’ Sketches of Spain."
Martin Hayes’ accomplishments extend far and wide, both artistically and
geographically. He has been an All-Ireland fiddle champion six times over,
and has taken home a National Entertainment Award, Irish equivalent to the
Grammy. Martin has appeared as a guest artist on recent recordings by Darol
Anger and Irish composer Gavin Friday. He and Dennis have also appeared
internationally on television and radio, including NBC Nightwatch,
PRI’s A Prairie Home Companion, and the BBC’s Jools Holland Show.
The duo has collaborated with Sinead O’Connor, Iarla O’Lionáird and
photographer Steve Pyke.
Born in Ireland, Martin grew up playing traditional music with his father, P.J. Hayes, leader of the famed Tulla Ceili Band. He is known today for
playing in the slow, lyrical style of his native East County Clare.
Dennis Cahill is a master guitarist, versed in classical, blues and rock as
much as he is in traditional music. A native of Chicago, born to parents
from County Kerry, he studied at the city’s prestigious Music College before
becoming an active member of the local music scene. In addition to his work
with Hayes, he has performed with such renowned fiddlers as Liz Carroll,
Eileen Ivers and Kevin Burke.
Martin and Dennis met in Chicago in the 1980s. They first formed a jazz rock
fusion band called Midnight Court, experimenting with a variety of new music
styles. Eventually they both turned back to their traditional roots, and
after recording two acclaimed solo albums, Hayes began a new musical
relationship with Cahill. The news of their riveting, galvanizing
performances quickly spread like wildfire on both sides of the Atlantic.
The musical rapport between Hayes and Cahill is so strong that they often
appear to be playing one instrument, "working on a seemingly telepathic
level," as CMJ describes it. While Martin pursues a melody, Dennis
explores the harmony and rhythms within the tunes. He seems to know
intuitively Hayes’ next move, consistently matching it with astonishing
skill and grace.
Their live performances have been known to weave complex tunes that last
thirty minutes or more, in what Hayes once described as "a three-way
conversation between the two of us and the music."
Wed May 6 |
8 pm
CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids $19 advance | $22 day of show
