Photo © Colin Gillen/framelight.ie

MILWAUKEE – Dervish, one of the biggest names in Irish music renowned for live performances that match dazzling sets of tunes with stunning interpretations of traditional songs, will perform at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 1989 on Ireland’s windswept Atlantic coast during County Sligo pub sessions, Dervish’s exceptional musicianship, groundbreaking songs, and carefully crafted arrangements explore the endless rhythm and complexities that go into making great Irish music. Respected for their treatment of tradition, Dervish is also known for a fresh, vibrant approach. The Guardian newspaper called Dervish, “simply brilliant… they carry Irish history with them.”

The group is fronted by Cathy Jordan’s hauntingly charismatic vocals, bodhrán playing and engaging stage presence along with a core built around the tight interplay between Michael Holmes on bouzouki, Liam Kelly on flute and whistle, Brian McDonagh on mandola and mandolin, Shane Mitchell on accordion and Tom Morrow on fiddle.

Dervish has wowed audiences around the globe with shows in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has shared the stage with artists as diverse as Sting, James Brown, Neil Young and Iron Maiden. As worldwide ambassadors of Irish music, they have accompanied Ireland’s top officials on international tours and in 2006, joined the prime minister on a historic trade mission to China, where they did an impromptu session on the Great Wall.

At the end of 2019, the six-member band celebrated 30 years of recording and performing by receiving a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the BBC, which called them “an icon of Irish music.” They also released their newest recording, The Great Irish Songbook, which features performances by guest vocalists from Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States including Steve Earle, Rhiannon Giddens, Vince Gill and Abigail Washburn.

Tickets will go on sale Thursday, January 20th at 9:00am. For more information go to www.ichc.net.

Supported by Culture Ireland