The Chieftains Bring the Hallmark Sound of Irish Tradition to the Kimmel Center
February 21, 2006
The Chieftains, Ireland’s premier ambassador of traditional Irish music, returns to the Kimmel Center for their fifth annual performance on Sunday, March 12, 2006 at 3:00pm in Verizon Hall. Paddy Maloney’s six-time Grammy winning ensemble is the most enduring and influential creative force in establishing and celebrating the international appeal of Celtic music. The group will bring the luck-o-the Irish to Philadelphia joined by special guests, The Cottars, two young brother-sister pairs from the island of Cape Breton.
This performance is part of the Kimmel Presents’ Sovereign Bank World Pop Mix series. Upcoming performances in the series include: Medeski, Martin and Wood on Friday, April 7 at 8:30pm; Cesaria Evora with special guest Keren Ann on Thursday, April 13 at 8pm; and Jerry Blavat’s Geator Gold on Saturday, April 15 at 8pm.
Tickets for The Chieftains are $79, $69, $59, $49 and $39 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online or at the Kimmel Center Box Office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply) For group sales call 215-893-5883.
The Chieftains first formed in 1962 by Paddy Moloney, the group’s founder and front man, who brought together a group of local musicians in Dublin, fashioning an authentic instrumental sound that has remained critically acclaimed over the past four decades. The latest from The Chieftains, adding to their over forty-album career, is the recording, Live From Dublin: A Tribute to Derek Bell. Released early in 2005 and nominated for the 2006 Grammy Awards, this album celebrates the life and legacy of the long time member Derek Bell who passed away suddenly in 2002. Recorded live at Ireland’s premier performing venues, the Gaiety Theater and National Concert Hall, Live From Dublin includes a moving medley, “Derek’s Tune”, composed by Moloney as a fitting send-off for their friend. The Chieftains maintain an international touring schedule that has brought them before literally millions of fans on every continent.
The Cottars, two young brother-sister pairs from the wind-swept island of Cape Brenton, deliver an ingenious, multifaceted take on the folk music of their native Nova Scotia. With their dynamic and riveting music, captivating vocals, assured stage presence, and joyous step-dancing, they preserve essential elements of their Celtic heritage. The group is comprised of Fiona MacGillivray (16) singing lead vocals and contributing on whistles, harps and bodhrán; Ciarán MacGillivray (18), the band’s in-house arranger, keyboardist, guitarist and flutist; Jimmy MacKenzi (18) also on guitar and Roseanne MacKenzie (16) on fiddle. The Cottars just released their U.S. debut, Forerunner, and received the Best New Artist honors in 2001 and Best Roots/Traditional Recording in 2005 at the annual East Coast Music Awards in Halifax, Novia Scotia.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning 2.5 hours prior to evening performances and 11:30am for matinees.
Kimmel Center Presents’ 2005/2006 season is supported by: Mellon Financial Corporation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Sovereign Bank, The American Express Company, Verizon Foundation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the National Endowment for the Arts, and The William Penn Foundation. Special Student Matinees at the Kimmel Center are generously supported by Merck & Co., Inc. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Jazz and World Pop programming. In-kind support is generously provided by Deloitte and Southern Wine and Spirit. NBC-10 is a Media Partner for Kimmel Center Presents.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
Sovereign Bank World Pop Mix
Sunday, March 12, 2006 | 3:00pm
Verizon Hall
The Chieftains
Paddy Maloney, uilleann pipes & tin whistle
Kevin Conneff, bodhrán & vocals
Matt Malloy, flute
Seán Keane, Fiddle
The Cottars
Fiona MacGillivray, vocals, whistles, harp and bodhrán
Ciarán MacGillivray, keyboards, guitar, flute and whistle
Jimmy MacKenzie, guitar
Roseanne MacKenzie, fiddle
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