Event

Len Graham & Brian Hart

The Ulster Ballad Tradition with Len Graham:

Len Graham is of the older generation of traditional singers from Ulster--the northern province of Ireland. His longstanding friendship with Joe Holmes and Eddie Butcher in particular impacted on Len's repertoire and understanding of songs he had gained from singers within his own family while growing up in the Glens of Antrim. In 1971 Len won the senior All-Ireland competition in traditional singing and went on to sing with the band Skylark and collaborate with the likes of Cathal McConnell, Garry Ó Briain and Pádraigín Ní Ullacháin. He has recorded many albums and received many awards for his dedication to and academic work on the singing tradition of Ireland. Dublin's Four Court Press has recently published Len's work on Joe Holmes entitled Here I Are Amongst You.

The Gaelic Song Traditions of Ireland and Scotland with Brian Hart:

Brian Hart is of the younger generation of singers of the sean-nós stylea singing style indicative of the Irish Gaelic speaking regions of western Ireland. His musical friendship with sean-nós singers in the States encouraged Brian to become a fluent speaker of the language by living in the Gaeltacht of western County Galway. In 2002, Brian won the senior All-Ireland competition in traditional singing and went on to earn an MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick where he was introduced to Scots Gaelic singing, becoming adept with that tradition as well. He currently tours with his band, Bua and collaborates with percussive dancers and musicians throughout North America creating new platforms to perform traditional music.