Performance:
Saturday, December 20, 2008: 8:00 p.m.
Eileen Ivers will change the way you think about the violin.
Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, London Symphony Orchestra,
National Symphony at The Kennedy Center, Boston Pops, musical star of Riverdance, The Chieftains, Hall
and Oates, Afrocelts, Patti Smith, Paula Cole, Al Di Meola, Steve Gadd, founding member of Cherish the
Ladies, performed for Presidents and Royalty worldwide … this is a short list of accomplishments, headliners,
tours and affiliations. Fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish
fiddle in the world today.
It is a rare and select grade of spectacular artists whose work is so boldly imaginative and clearly virtuosic that
it alters the medium. It has been said that the task of respectfully exploring the traditions and progression of
the Celtic fiddle is quite literally on Eileen Ivers’ shoulder. The Washington Post states, “She suggests the
future of the Celtic fiddle.”
She’s been called a “sensation” by Billboard magazine and “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin” by The New York
Times. “She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing” says The Irish Times. Ivers’
recording credits include over 100 contemporary and traditional albums and numerous movie scores. Her
recordings continue to display why Ivers is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and
World music genres. The latest CD entitled ‘An Nollaig – An Irish Christmas’ was released in 2007.
The daughter of Irish immigrants, Eileen Ivers grew up in the culturally diverse neighborhood of the Bronx,
New York. Rooted in Irish traditional music since the age of eight, Eileen proceeded to win nine All-Ireland
fiddle championships, a tenth on tenor banjo and over 30 championship medals, making her one of the most
awarded persons ever to compete in these prestigious competitions.
Being an Irish-American, the intrigue of learning more about the multicultural sounds of her childhood took
hold. After graduating magna cum laude in Mathematics from Iona College and while continuing her postgraduate
work in Mathematics, Eileen fully immersed herself in the different genres of music which she
experienced growing up in New York. Perhaps it was the mathematical mind coupled with her passion for
seeking parallels in certain traditional music styles which contributed to what has become the signature sound
featured in much of Eileen’s recordings since the late 1980’s.
In 1999 Eileen established a touring production to present the music which now encompasses Eileen Ivers &
Immigrant Soul. This mix of African and Latin percussion and bass, Irish instrumentalists, and American
soulful vocals headlines major performing arts centers, guest stars with numerous symphonies, performs at
major festivals worldwide and has appeared on national and international television. The L.A. Times
proclaims, “Ivers presentation was music with the kind of life and spirit that come together when talented
artists from different backgrounds find the linkages that connect all forms of music … no wonder the audience
loved every minute”.
Tickets on sale now. For more information about Eileen Ivers, check out
her website at www.eileenivers.com or watch the video clip below.
