An Irish Christmas, Doyle, Ryan & McAuley

An Irish Christmas with JOHN DOYLE, CATHIE RYAN & MICK MCAULEY

John Doyle and Mick McAuley’s nearly telepathic musical connection began in the truly groundbreaking Irish-American band, Solas. For over thirty-five years, including multiple studio recordings, musical collaborations, and awards, Cathie Ryan has been in the vanguard of Irish music. Now, these three luminaries of Irish music come together to celebrate the Christmas and solstice holidays with an evening of exquisite traditional and contemporary songs, tunes, and stories fitting of the season.

John Doyle’s influences include well-known English folk singers Nic Jones, Martin Carthy, Richard Thompson and The Watersons; Scottish singers Dick Gaughan and John Martin; fellow Irishmen Paul Brady and Al O’Donnell; and his father, Sean Doyle—probably the biggest influence of all. Having started his professional career at the age of 16, John went on to form the highly acclaimed supergroup, Solas, with Seamus Egan, John Williams, Karan Casey and Winifred Horan, which took the folk and Celtic music worlds by storm, in no small part due to John’s powerhouse rhythmic guitar style and innovative arrangements. Since then, John’s flourishing solo career, highly regarded solo albums, and in-demand studio prowess as producer have made him one of the busiest artists in all of traditional music. He is a Grammy-nominated artist for his 2009 recording with fiddler Liz Carroll, “Double Play”, has performed at the White House, was music director for folk music legend Joan Baez, guitarist for Mary Chapin Carpenter, and has recorded and/or performed with a who’s who of folk, Celtic, bluegrass and old-time music, including Tim O’Brien, Kate Rusby, Eileen Ivers, Karan Casey, Rodney Crowell and Jerry Douglas. John’s original rhythmic and percussive guitar style has been emulated by guitarists all over the world.

Cathie Ryan has built a loyal following by touring internationally and singing “songs of the heart” at performing arts centers, festivals, folk clubs, and with symphony orchestras. Cathie is a captivating performer whose shows are renowned for their intimacy and power – and a typically Irish sprinkling of storytelling. “There is nothing like a live show. I love the energy, the give and take, of being with an audience. And I love to have fun up there!” she says. Cathie has been featured on national and public television and radio throughout the world, Irish America Magazine twice named her one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans” and liveireland.com has twice honored her as “Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade.” When not singing, Cathie leads tours of Ireland that focus on Irish music, folklore, myth, and history.

Mick McAuley is an Irish musician, composer and songwriter who has recorded and toured internationally for many years. While his music is rooted firmly in the Irish tradition, he has been part of a movement which continues to push the musical boundaries of that tradition to bring Irish music to a wider and more diverse audience around the world. As a long-time member of the Irish- American ensemble SOLAS, he has recorded and toured nine albums with them and received widespread international acclaim. The Boston Herald hailed SOLAS as “the best Irish traditional band in the world”. A multi-instrumentalist, Mick plays accordion, melodeon, concertina, whistles and guitar and has been a guest on many recordings and performances, including Patti Larkin, Paul Brennan of Clannad, Susan McKeown and Mick Hanly among many others. Currently, Mick tours as accordionist for Sting in his Broadway Production, The Last Ship. Mick’s debut solo album, An Ocean’s Breadth was awarded Best Celtic Album of the Year by The Washington Post.

Join John, Cathie, and Mick as they transport you to the beauty, fun, and meaning of the season, and always filled with Irish good cheer, in “An Irish Christmas”.

“Anyone wondering what constitutes excellence in Irish American singing today need only attend a Cathie Ryan concert.” — The Wall Street Journal

“From his stellar role as a member of Solas, Mick McAuley has truly emerged as a solo artist”

— Brian O' Donovan WGBH

"John Doyle has more talent than anybody deserves to have all to themselves" Philadelphia News