Buille with Karen Casey at the TCA Taos New Mexico

Niall Vallely, Paul Meehan and Caoimhín Vallely have joined forces to create one of the most potent new sounds to emerge from Ireland in many years. Concertina virtuoso Niall Vallely enlists his brother Caoimhín on piano (yet another creative member of the legendary clan, so prominent in the Irish arts scene) and guitar powerhouse Paul Meehan to forge a new sound and to take Irish music onward to new frontiers.

* Niall Vallely: Acclaimed throughout the world as one of Ireland's greatest concertina players, Niall Vallely began learning the instrument at the age of seven, taught by his parents Brian and Eithne Vallely, founders of the Armagh Pipers' Club. A founding member of Nomos, he has in recent years performed both in a solo capacity and with musicians such as Karan Casey, Tim O’Brien, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, and Paddy Keenan. In 1999 he released his debut solo album Beyond Words, and in 2003 released Callan Bridge, a collaboration with his brother Cillian (of Lúnasa) on pipes.
* Paul Meehan: A product of thriving Irish music scenes in Manchester, County Armagh, and Cork, Paul recorded three albums with the highly acclaimed North Cregg. He has also spent a number of years touring and recording with Dorsa, the Karan Casey Band, and Lúnasa. In recent years Paul has appeared on stage with the likes of Altan, At the Racket, Paddy Keenan, Tommy Peoples and Liz Carroll.
* Caoimhín Vallely: Like his older brother Niall, pianist Caoimhín grew up in Armagh and began tin whistle lessons at the Armagh Pipers Club before moving to the fiddle. While still only seventeen, he joined the band Upstairs in a Tent, where he played alongside Brian Finnegan (now of Flook) and Kathryn Tickell. In Cork he co-founded North Cregg. Theater credits include a stint as musical director with the Belfast-based Dubblejoint and playing with Alan Kelly's dance show “Celtic Legends.” His debut solo piano album Strayaway will be released shortly.

Together Buílle are, in the words of The Irish Times, “As fresh a breath that’s blown through traditional and roots circles in a long, long time.”

For more info, go to: http://www.folkloreproductions.com/Buille.html

Karan Casey

Karan Casey has been critically acclaimed from Japan to America as one of Ireland’s greatest singers. The Wall Street Journal has described her as one of the true glories of Irish music today. One of the most influential voices in contemporary Irish music, Karan Casey is a natural innovator. More than a decade ago American audiences were introduced to her as vocalist for the Irish “supergroup” Solas. Following their groundbreaking early releases, Casey struck out on her own. She now has 4 solo releases to her credit and multiple collaborations (including the Grammy-winning “Celtic Solstice” with Paul Winter & Friends and Tim O’Brien’s “Two Journeys.”)

A frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” Casey joined their December 2006 broadcasts from New York’s Town Hall. 2006 also saw her spotlighted on the Solas “Reunion” CD, and as guest vocalist for another well-known Irish group, Lúnasa. In 2007 she appeared with the legendary Liam Clancy and participated in a DVD project in New York with Mick Moloney and Paul Wagner.

Casey began 2008 with critically acclaimed appearances at the renowned Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, prior to touring in the US throughout February-March and again in May. Spring also sees realease of Karan's fifth solo album, “Ships in the Forest,” focusing largely on the traditional repertoire. The album was recorded at Karan’s home in County Cork and features members of her current touring band.

Karan Casey has performed at many prestigious venues, including the Kennedy Center, WOMAD USA, Mountain Stage, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, Symphony Space, Knitting Factory, Kentucky Center for the Arts, and (participating in Paul Winter's Grammy-winning Solstice Celebrations) the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

See her web site for additional information: http://www.folkloreproductions.com/KaranCasey.html

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