Brendan Mulvihill's roots in Irish music run deep. Brendan's Grandmother Bridgid Mulvihill, nee Flynn, was a fiddler and her brothers were all musicians as well. Brendan's father, the lateNational Heritage Fellow, Martin Mulvihillof County Limerick, Ireland, was a renowned fiddle player and one of the most highly respected Irish music teachers in America. Brendan immigrated to New York with his family in 1965. In the ‘70s, he traveled to Ireland playing throughout the country with his contemporaries and building a huge repertoire of tunes. Later, Brendan moved to Birmingham, England where he played in céilidh bands and with the many Irish musicians who had also settled in the English Midlands. In 1975, Brendan returned to New York, where he soon began playing with accordion player Billy McComiskey and singer/guitarist Andy O'Brien. The three eventually made their way to Washington, DC, ostensibly for a week-long gig in The Dubliner pub asThe Irish Tradition. The week turned into several years, and The Irish Tradition became a seminal influence in traditional music, helping to establish it as a permanent and integral part of Washington's musical fabric. After recording several albums, the Irish Tradition disbanded. Brendan remained in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area, using the region as a home base for his travels.
Micheál Ó Súilleabháin referred to Brendan as "a rare genius." This same thought has been shared by others and that is why so many have sought him out as their teacher. Brendan has taught several rising young fiddle players in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area. Brendan received the Maryland Traditions Folk Arts and Culture Apprenticeship Award in 2005 and 2018 for teaching the art of traditional Irish music. He was inducted into theComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Mid-Atlantic Region Hall of Fame in 2008. Brendan continues to play at various venues in the Washington D.C. area, teaches fiddle, leads sessions and tune teach workshops and participates in weeklong workshops. Brendan published his first tune book with a learning CD in 2013, Brendan Mulvihill’s Irish Scroll Volume One; it contains 93 tunes, mostly traditional tunes but also a few of his own compositions. In 2018, he released his first solo recordings on CD, The Journey, to share some tunes and playing style with those wanting to learn more from Brendan. The Journey is a great CD to help intermediate and advanced musicians learn to play traditional Irish music.
Angelina Carberry was born in Manchester, England into a County Longford musical family steeped in traditional music. Starting on the tin whistle, she later moved on onto the banjo following in the footsteps of her father Peter and Grandfather Kevin Carberry. Angelina moved to Galway in the late 90’s where she recorded the highly acclaimed album ‘Memories from the Holla’ with her father Peter on Accordion and John Blake on guitar and piano. Over the years, Angelina has developed a highly personal style with unique rhythmical characteristics. Her unmistakable banjo sound is captured on her solo CD, An Traidisún Beo & Pluckin’Mad. She has taught master classes at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University Limerick, Scoil Eigse and the Willie Clancy Summer School and toured throughout Ireland, Europe, Japan, and North America that included appearances at major festivals. Dan Brouder is a well-respected exponent of the West Limerick accordion style from Monagae, a parish on the outskirts of Newcastle West. He learned his music in the surrounding parishes of Ardagh, Carrigkerry & Glin on the Sliabbh Luachra boundary from accordion player Donal de Barra, Athea Co. Limerick & from flute players Francis O’Connor & Donal O’Sullivan who learned their music from Peadlin Aherne, fiddle player & Pajo Gleesen flute player from the 1930’s & 40’s & whose styles are strongly bedded in West Limerick roots. He continued to learn a lot of music by ear in sessions all over Ireland. He has performed with various musicians at a number of festivals throughout the world (U.S.A., China, Russia, Spain, France, U.K., Austria, Norway, Holland, Thailand, Germany, Brussels & Italy). Dan is a musician held in high regard among his peers for his musical integrity & the enjoyment he passes on through the music he plays & cherishes.