Dervish
Dervish concert performances are a myriad of tones and moods ranging from high energy tunes to beautifully measured songs and melodies that lift audiences from their seat. From packed stadiums in China to the world famous 'Rock in Rio' music festival, the power and supreme musicianship of Dervish is breathtaking.
2009 marks the 20th anniversary of Dervish, from their humble beginnings as a group of musicians playing the local tunes of Sligo, over the last twenty years Dervish have broadened their musical vision and with it their devoted audience, which is now worldwide.
 Cathy Jordan is the face and voice of Dervish - her traditional singing has thrilled audiences across the globe. The flute playing of founder member Liam Kelly is pivotal to the Dervish sound and the tight intuitive accordion playing of Shane Mitchell is a revelation. Brian McDonagh plays mandola and mandolin with immense virtuosity. The bouzouki playing of Michael Holmes lends a powerfully eclectic diversity to the group. Tom Morrow is a masterful Leitrim fiddler with extensive International touring credentials.
Dervish, have performed throughout every corner of the globe, playing for heads of state and for an audience of 240,000 in Rio de Janeiro. They have shared the stage with James Brown, The Buena Vista Social Club Sting and REM and have chronicled their musical journey in nine classic CDs and two DVDs. Year after year their CDs have topped Folk, World and Roots Music charts in Ireland and worldwide and have met with rave reviews internationally. Readers of Irish Music Magazine have awarded Dervish Best Overall Trad/Folk Band of the Year and, in what is perhaps their proudest moment, Sligo City Council bestowed on them in recognition of their work the Freedom of the City.
Onstage, a Dervish performance ranges from powerful and energetic dance tunes to sublime interpretations of Irish songs and airs with vocals, fiddle, flute, accordion, bodhrán, mandola and bouzouki. Interwoven with Cathy’s beguiling voice and engaging stage presence, an evening with Dervish is filled with enough warmth, conviviality and inspiration to fill a lifelong memory.
"Intensively exciting and loaded with copious amounts of flair …. Dervish have a very intensive live presence" - Irish Music Magazine.
"The extraordinary tightness of the instruments is breathtaking as the music soars, turns and plunges" - Dirty Linen, USA.
"Dervish have been anointed with such a spectrum of talent that they've never wanted for vision when it comes to broadening their repertoire," Hot Press.
Video
John Blessings
Dervish 3
Gypsies Tramps and Thieves
The Boots of Spanish Leather
Set Up Specification
 Download Specification here
Official Website
www.dervish.ie
|
|
|
|
Band Biogs
Cathy Jordan
Cathy’s love for traditional singing was instilled at an early age especially by her father and began singing publicly at all kind of Feiseanna and concerts as a child. In later years she took to performing a wide range of material as a solo performer in the midlands. In the summer of 1990 Cathy met informally with Dervish and joined the band shortly afterwards. Her performances with Dervish have thrilled audiences across the World and earned her a reputation as one of the finest traditional singers in Ireland today.
Liam Kelly
Sligo native Liam Kelly is a founding member of the band. He began playing traditional Irish music at a very young age, starting on the accordion but later switched to the whistle and in turn the flute, mainly learning from local player Carmel Gunning. His early friendship with Shane Mitchell led to them forming trad group Poitin while still at school. The level of success and media attention this group received was remarkable, including TV and radio appearances. This year Liam released his first solo album, Sweetwood, to critical acclaim backed by My Michael Holmes (bouzouki) and Donnchadh Gough (bodhrán). The album features Liam's favourite tunes and also some newly composed pieces. Liam's role in the band is a central one, as Dervish's core sound revolves around the tight and intuitive interplay between Flute, Accordion and Fiddle.
Tom Morrow
Tom joined Dervish '98. A native of Co. Leitrim, he began playing music at an early age with Tommy Maguire and has played extensively with a wide range of musicians around Leitrim and Cavan with including the Cornafean Group and Antoin McGabhann. He moved to Dublin and played with many groups and musicians including the Mick O Brien band and the Conor Byrne group. Tom has won numerous awards including the All Ireland senior fiddle championship and has toured extensively in Europe, North America and Asia.
Shane Mitchell
Sligo-born Shane Mitchell is another founder member. He learned the Accordion from the legendary Alphie Joe Dineen and from a very young age Shane was drawn to local sessions as well as competing with regular success in competitions. The Accordion is one of Dervish's core instruments, interacting in a tight and intuitive way with Flute and Fiddle.
Brian McDonagh
Brian is an ex-founder member of traditional group Oisin, who enjoyed extensive success in the 70's. Originally from Dublin, Brian has extensive experience touring and playing on the international circuit. He is also an established painter in Ireland and has had many exhibitions at home and on the continent.
Michael Holmes
Michael is a native of Sligo town and founder member of Dervish. Music was passed down the family from a grand-aunt on his mother's side. While in his teens Michael took up guitar, but in the late 80s moved to bouzouki. His friendship at school with Shane and Liam led to them forming Dervish in 1989, and recording an album titled ‘The Boys of Sligo’. Michael has co-written several of the band's best-loved instrumentals.
|
