JOHN DOYLE & FRIENDS
JOHN DOYLE & FRIENDS
Irish
Asheville, North Carolina
John Doyle, one of the most influential Irish American guitarists of his generation, has gathered some of his favorite musical collaborators to perform at this year’s festival. John Doyle, Eamon O’Leary, Duncan Wickel, and Lily Henley each bring a unique expertise to the stage, creating a brilliant group of musicians that exemplify traditional music. The ballads, tunes, and new and rediscovered songs they will perform reflect their love of the traditional music that has been a touchstone of Irish identity for generations. They also build on the heritage of Irish immigrants who settled in Appalachia, where Irish song provided some of the building blocks for old-time, country, and bluegrass.
Known for his signature left-hand picking style, Doyle has invented a whole new way of playing the rhythm for Irish dance tunes. Born in Dublin, John came up in a family where “everybody played something,” and his father, singer and song collector Sean Doyle, nurtured his interest in the deep wellspring of Irish song. Doyle is a remarkable guitarist, a devoted ballad collector, and a celebrated songwriter. His professional career began at age 16 with the Irish band the Chanting House. Following his move to the U.S. three decades ago, he gained acclaim with Solás; among current projects is the acclaimed trio the Alt. Through his collaborations with nearly every noted Irish American musician playing today, Doyle is unquestionably one of the preeminent champions of Irish music in America.
In addition to John, this accomplished and dynamic quartet features singer, bouzouki, and guitar player Eamon O’Leary, who left his native Dublin for New York City almost 30 years ago. Eamon has toured and recorded with some of Irish music’s greats and is a central figure in New York’s large Irish music community. Eamon has played with world class Irish musicians in the U.S. and all over Europe, including as a member of the Alt with John Doyle.
Duncan Wickel is a dynamic and versatile instrumentalist, known for his mastery of the fiddle, cello, and viola. Raised in a musically rich household, Duncan gained early insight into the world of music through his father, a skilled repair technician at a local music store. Duncan is equally devoted to education, having taught workshops in more than 20 countries around the world. He has performed with many notable bands and musicians, including two appearances alongside Jon Batiste and Stay Human when they were the in-house band on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
And rounding out the ensemble is Lily Henley, a gifted singer and fiddler who has received a Fulbright, served as a Carnegie Hall Explorers artist, and has been an artist-in-residence in Paris, Boston, and Washington, D.C. She has also appeared in an NPR Tiny Desk Concert alongside Duncan Wickel with their band, Rising Appalachia. Lily expertly combines distinct languages, cultures, and styles to the delight of audiences around the world.
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