The University of Michigan Residential College Music Program and The Ark present an evening of Irish traditional music and transatlantic songcraft.

Touring from County Meath, Ireland, uilleann piper and educator Tadhg Ó Raghallaigh comes from an Irish-speaking family with a legacy in Comhaltas music education. Multi-instrumentalist Aidan Duffy performs on guitar, mandolin, and bouzouki, presenting original songs and Irish ballads. Minnesota-born, NYC-based songwriter Paul Spring performs music from his new album that fuses Irish traditional and American roots music. Gifted singer and percussionist Ben Duffy backs these performers on bodhrán and drums. Alex Wand presents original resonator guitar compositions and songs with his trio featuring Michael Gould on drums and Joe Fee on bass. The evening features four sets spanning traditional sessions, original songs, and instrumental compositions across Irish and American musical traditions.

Tadhg Ó Raghallaigh is a uilleann piper from County Meath. Irish is his first language, and he comes from a long line of respected players. He is also a traditional irish music teacher. His family started the local chapter of Comhaltas Irish music education in County Meath.

Aidan Duffy is a traditional musician and songwriter from Trim, County Meath. He plays traditional Irish guitar, mandolin, and bouzouki. He will back up Tadhg in traditional sessions as well as play a set of his own original music. He also has an extensive repertoire of Irish ballads and songs, and is a gifted singer, and will sing a few during the trad session. He is also an intermediate-level Irish language speaker.

Ben Duffy is a drummer, singer and songwriter from Trim, County Meath. He is a gifted singer and guitar player, with an extensive repertoire of Irish ballads and songs, and will sing a selection during the trad session. He will back up Tadhg on Bodhran, Aidan on Drums, and Paul on Drums.

Paul Spring is a songwriter from Minnesota, now based in NYC. I recorded an album with these Irish musicians and they will serve as my backing band. Here is a link to my own music, which fuses trad and American music:

Alex Wand is a composer and performer whose practice spans songwriting, ecological thought, field recording, and alternate tuning systems. He is currently working on a collection of instrumental compositions for resonator guitar entitled “Rufus’s Retreat.” A Metro Detroit native, he teaches music at the U-M Residential College. He'll be joined by Michael Gould (drums) and Joe Fee (bass).