Gerry O'Connor & Don Penzien: An Evening of Irish Traditional Music
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The Irish Music Institute is delighted to welcome Gerry O'Connor and Don Penzien to Detroit for a night of world-class Irish traditional music.
Gerry O'Connor is widely regarded as a master of Irish fiddle, celebrated as a soloist and as a founding member of the bands Lá Lúgh, Skylark, and Oirialla. Raised in Dundalk, Co. Louth, in a family of musicians, dancers, and singers, he learned at home from his mother, Rose. He's a four-time winner of the Fiddler of Oriel competition and now serves as a judge for that contest and other major competitions. He teaches throughout Europe and coordinates the traditional arts program at the Creative Connexions Irish/Catalan Arts Festival in Sitges, Spain.
Over his career he has recorded 14 albums and shared the stage with major figures in Irish music, including members of the Chieftains, Boys of the Lough, Planxty, De Dannan, the Irish Rovers, and the Bothy Band.
Guitarist Don Penzien is himself a top-flight performer of Irish traditional music, with a long history performing at concerts and festivals across the genre. Together, Gerry and Don bring decades of shared musical chemistry to the stage — a rare chance to hear this duo live in Detroit.