The celebrated virtuoso partnership of Máire Ní Chathasaigh – “the leading figure of Irish harpers” (Scotland on Sunday) and Chris Newman – “one of the UK’s most staggering and influential acoustic guitarists” (fROOTS), has brought its special musical vision to venues large and small in 22 countries on five continents. Shows are a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, coupled with striking new compositions and Chris’s delightfully subversive wit. Chris was named “Male Musician of the Year” in the 2019 Live Ireland Awards. Gradam Cheoil TG4, the national Irish-language TV station’s Award for Irish Traditional Musician of the Year was presented to Máire in 2001 “for the excellence and pioneering force of her music, the remarkable growth she has brought to the music of the harp and the positive influence she has had on the young generation of harpers” at a televised ceremony in the Cork Opera House. The Gradam is the highest, most prestigious honor for a traditional Irish musician and Máire was the first harpist recipient. A multiple All-Ireland winner, she developed profoundly influential techniques for harp performance of traditional Irish music heard on her iconic 1985 solo album, “The New Strung Harp” – “a milestone in Irish harp music” which was re-mastered and reissued in 2023. “Máire is an absolute legend.” – THE IRISH ECHO.
