Masters of Tradition is a unique festival held each year in the Irish coastal town of Bantry to celebrate traditional Irish music in its purest form. Artistic Director, Martin Hayes, who together with Dennis Cahill captivated Sydney Festival audiences in 2007, brings this unique event to the Sydney Opera House, drawing together one of the finest line-ups of Irish musicians ever assembled.

The idea for the festival came from Hayes’ call to create a space where the heart of traditional music could be exposed. The concept has evolved to produce a performance format that gives a real insight into the musical journeys that these musicians, and the masterful music they play, have taken over the years.

Martin Hayes – Artistic Director, Fiddle
Born in Ireland’s East County Clare, Martin Hayes plays in the slow lyrical style native to that part of Ireland. Hayes shares a unique musical kinship with guitarist Dennis Cahill that has brought international renown to this traditional music genre.

Iarla Ó Lionáird – Vocals
Born into a small, Irish-speaking enclave in West Cork, Iarla Ó Lionáird’s upbringing revolved around singing as the dominant form of expression. As vocalist for Afro Celt Sound System, Ó Lionáird played festivals all over the world and recorded five albums with the group before his remarkable solo efforts.

Cathal Hayden – Fiddle
Fiddle player Cathal Hayden has a natural and distinctive style, original and inventive. Hayden was catalyst for the formation of Four Men and a Dog, one of the foremost Irish traditional bands of all time.

Máirtín O’Connor – Accordion
With an accordion style displaying astounding skill, dexterity and versatility, Máirtín O’Connor has played with many of traditional music’s leading groups as well as collaborating with artists including Elvis Costello, The Chieftains, De Dannon and The Dubliners.

Steve Cooney – Guitar
An Australian of Irish ancestry, Steve Cooney has been living in Ireland for many years. One of Ireland’s leading guitarists, he is also a much sought-after and highly regarded producer, having worked with many of the greats in the Irish music industry, including Stockton's Wing, Mary Black and Sinéad O'Connor.

Dennis Cahill – Guitar
Born in Chicago to parents from County Kerry, Dennis Cahill’s innovative accompaniment is acknowledged as a major breakthrough for guitar in the Irish tradition. Cahill’s playing turns minimalism into an art-form.

David Power - Uilleann Pipes
David Power was born of a musical family in County Waterford. He played the whistle from a young age, and at 10 was encouraged to take up the uilleann pipes. David won the Senior All-Ireland Piping Championship and the coveted Oireachtas Piping competitions in 1992. He has represented Ireland at the Lorient Interceltic Festival and was a member of Liam Clancy’s Fairweather Band.

Presented by arrangement with Ruud Kuper and Seamus Finneran.

EAT DRINK TALK ART
Sat 24 Jan - Masters of Tradition
Martin Hayes, Artistic Director of Masters of Tradition, shares the stage with fellow Irish music virtuosos and Festival Director Fergus Linehan, exploring their passion for the rich heritage of traditional Irish music.
For more info on the Eat Drink Talk Art series, click here.

PHOTO: DEREK SPEIRS

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WHAT THE PRESS SAID

"A Celtic complement to Steve Reich’s quartets or Miles Davis’s Sketches of Spain ... more" - New York Times

"Looking set to build on the resounding success of the last five years, the Masters of Tradition Festival throws open its doors to some of the very best musicians in the land...more" - Cork Independent

"Surely the greatest Irish fiddle player on the planet ... more" – Sydney Morning Herald

"Surrender, in open-mouthed amazement, to his transcendentally beautiful playing ... more" – Sydney Morning Herald

"A sublime lyrical and melodic sensibility ... more" – Sydney Morning Herald

"Moments of sheer, sparkling exuberance ... more" – Sydney Morning Herald

"It's a celebration of traditional music in its purest form, far from the mayhem of a conventional pub session...more" - Irish Times

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COMMENTS

John Martyn 03/01/09

Re: masters of tradition; I am interested to know if the concert interval on 26th January will coincide with the fireworks? Thank you John Martyn

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Ella Niamh 26/01/09

Can anyone please tell me what the name of the song that Iarla Ó Lionáird sang at the beginning - the long, sad song he sang unaccompanied? It is not on their CD which we bought yesterday. Thankyou kindly - Ella

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Jill Boyd 26/01/09

We didn't get to buy a CD last night when we saw these fantastic performers. Are they available for purchase anywhere in Sydney?

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Catherine Erskine 27/01/09

The concert was one of the most engaging I have been to for a long time. We wanted to purchase the compelation CD but it was sold out. Can you please let me know how I can buy it now. Thanks Catherine

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Amanda Sewell 28/01/09

I would like to buy the Masters of Tradition's CD but I can not find it on the internet as we were advised. Please an you send me a link to the web sit where I can buy this. Kind Regards Amanda Sewell

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Iarla Ó Lionáird 03/02/09

Hi Ella, The song I sang at the top of the show is called "Tuirimh Mhic Fhinin Dhuibh" (The lament for black finn's son) It is a most unusual song and comes from the Freeman collection, Ballyvourney 1911-1914. I learned it initially during my time with Sean O Riada's Cor Cuil Aodha when it was customary for the choir to recover quite a few songs from this collection for their repertoire. I recorded this song for my last record Invisible Fields 2005 (track 10) with an arrangement for viol consort by Gavin Bryars. I hope this helps.

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