Country

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Ireland

Genre

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Concerto

 

Nollaig Casey is a renowned Irish fiddle player and singer who has made significant contributions to the world of traditional Irish music. Born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1957, Casey grew up in a musical family and was exposed to traditional Irish music from a young age. Her father, Mick Casey, was a well-known fiddle player, and her mother, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, was a harpist. Casey's siblings, including her brother Caoimhín, are also accomplished musicians. Casey began playing the fiddle at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She was influenced by the playing of her father and other traditional Irish fiddle players, as well as by the music of other cultures, including Scottish, Breton, and American old-time. Casey also developed a love for singing and began performing traditional Irish songs at local sessions and festivals. In the 1970s, Casey became a member of the Irish traditional music group Planxty, which included other notable musicians such as Christy Moore, Liam O'Flynn, and Andy Irvine. With Planxty, Casey recorded several albums and toured extensively throughout Ireland and the UK. The group's unique blend of traditional Irish music with elements of rock and roll and other genres helped to popularize traditional Irish music and bring it to a wider audience. After leaving Planxty, Casey continued to perform and record as a solo artist and as a member of various groups, including the all-female group Touchstone and the Irish supergroup Coolfin. She also collaborated with other musicians, including her brother Caoimhín, guitarist Arty McGlynn, and singer-songwriter Mary Black. Throughout her career, Casey has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to traditional Irish music. In 1993, she was named Traditional Musician of the Year by the Irish-language television station TG4. She has also been nominated for several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and has won the award for Best Traditional Track twice, in 2002 and 2006. Casey's playing is characterized by her virtuosic technique, her deep understanding of traditional Irish music, and her ability to infuse her playing with emotion and feeling. She is known for her use of ornamentation and her ability to create intricate and complex melodies. Her singing is similarly expressive and heartfelt, and she has a particular talent for interpreting traditional Irish songs and making them her own. In addition to her performing and recording career, Casey is also a respected teacher and has taught fiddle and traditional Irish music at various workshops and festivals throughout Ireland and the UK. She has also released several instructional books and DVDs, including The Irish Fiddle Book and The Irish Fiddle DVD. Today, Casey continues to be an important figure in the world of traditional Irish music. Her playing and singing have inspired countless musicians and fans, and her contributions to the genre have helped to ensure its continued vitality and relevance. Whether performing on stage, teaching a workshop, or recording in the studio, Nollaig Casey remains a true master of traditional Irish music.

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