"In the decades to come, we’ll surely talk of having seen [Martin Hayes] in the way others talk of Miles Davis or Jimi Hendrix or John Coltrane.” (The Irish Times)

Legendary Irish fiddler Martin Hayes leads a wide-ranging concert celebration a few days after St. Patrick’s Day, featuring an exciting variety of special guests, traditional sean-nós singing and dancing, and modern takes on Irish traditions. Regarded as one of the most significant talents to emerge in the world of Irish music, Hayes has drawn inspiration from many musical genres but remains grounded in the music he grew up with in East County Clare.

His soulful interpretations of traditional Irish music are recognized the world over for their exquisite musicality and irresistible rhythm. He has a unique ability to place the tradition within a wider contemporary context, creating a unique and insightful interpretation of Irish music. “This music is, at its essence, a direct and simple expression of feeling. The melodies are sometimes deceptively simple but almost always beautiful, and the rhythm is both understated and entrancing,” Hayes says. This concert features his new ensemble, Common Ground, comprising musicians from different backgrounds whose connections to Irish music are complemented by improvisation, jazz, avant-garde, and contemporary classical music.