Next week we begin the 2nd annual Rockport Celtic Festival, and co-artistic directors Brian O’Donovan and Maeve Gilchrist have quite a lineup in store for Celtic music lovers. Considering the enormous success of the first Rockport Celtic Festival in 2019 (last year’s Festival was canceled due to COVID-19), it’s no wonder that the basic architecture of the original remains intact. There will again be an opening night that focuses on the cultural connections between the Celtic diaspora, a concert emphasizing a classical/Celtic hybrid, and a finale of sea shanties and sailor stories, as well as intimate daytime salon sessions and meditative poetry/music presentations. And while there will be some familiar names and faces performing (including Brian and Maeve obviously), there are also new artists at this year’s Festival.
Two of the highest profile of artists joining us this year are the duo of uilleann piper Cillian Vallely and flutist Kevin Crawford, beloved throughout the Celtic world for their membership in the critically-adored Irish supergroup Lúnasa. Simply put, you won’t find more masterful purveyors of their respective instruments playing today. They are virtuosic, lyrical, inventive and deeply soulful artists, so it is a treat to have them in such an intimate setting.
Katie McNally
On the other end of the spectrum there is the spirited young duo of fiddling sensation Katie McNally and pianist Neil Pearlman, who are bringing Cape Breton music into intriguing new directions. Both are part of the popular traditional Cape Breton group Fàrsan as well as the Katie McNally Trio. McNally, a former student of the great Hanneke Cassel (who will also be playing the Rockport Celtic Festival this year) has just released Now More Than
Neil Pearlman
Ever, an album that has been called “one of the best modern Cape Breton records of the past ten years” by Irish Music Magazine. The pianist Neil Pearlman brings that authentic Cape Breton dance hall style, but also adds jazz harmony and the syncopations of funk, Cuban, and Brazilian dance music to create a unique and infectious sound. Together they are a force to be reckoned with indeed.
Of course old friends like the aforementioned Hanneke Cassel, the Rasa Quartet, and the vocal folk group Windborne will be making their appearances along with many other great talents. Come see for yourself what Brian and Maeve have cooking up this year!
