Mysterious and masterful as the legendary ollam Irish bards from which they draw their name, Belfast-born uilleann piper John McSherry and Detroit natives Tyler Duncan and Michael Shimmin wanted an ensemble that naturally represented their combined experience in a multiplicity of styles. McSherry, one of the best uilleann pipers in the world and a founding member of legendary Irish group Lúnasa, has been dubbed “a true master” by Irish Music Magazine. Duncan and Shimmin are part of the award-winning Irish-jazz crossover group Millish, with Duncan doing double-duty in the dance-rock group My Dear Disco/Ella Riot. Simplicity is key for the olllam: they wanted their musical ideas to mature organically in a controlled environment, rather than produce anything contrived or over-composed. It is their collective sense for arrangement–Duncan (uilleann pipes, whistles, guitar, Rhodes) and Shimmin (drums and percussion) both hold degrees in jazz performance, and the legendary McSherry (uilleann pipes and whistles) has performed and written with a wide variety of artists, from Ornette Coleman to Nanci Griffith–that gives the music of the olllam its distinct style and form. It's very much like nothing you've ever heard before!