EILEEN IVERS & IMMIGRANT SOUL

Haugh Performing Arts Center
Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 2:00pm

Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony at The Kennedy Center, Boston  Pops, musical star of Riverdance, The Chieftains, Hall  and Oates, Afrocelts, Patti Smith, Paula Cole, Al Di Meola, Steve Gadd, founding member of Cherish the Ladies, performed for Presidents and Royalty worldwide ...this is a short list of accomplishments, headliners, tours and affiliations. Fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today.

It is a rare and select grade of spectacular artists whose work is so boldly imaginative and clearly virtuosic that it alters the medium. It has been said that the task of respectfully exploring the traditions and progression of the Celtic fiddle is quite literally on Eileen Ivers' shoulders. The Washington Post states, "She suggests the future of the Celtic fiddle."

She's been called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by The New York Times. "She electrifies the crowd with a  dazzling show of virtuoso playing" says The Irish Times. Ivers' recording  credits include over 80 contemporary and traditional albums and numerous  movie scores. Her latest CD, entitled 'Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul' continues to display why Ivers is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music genres.

The daughter of Irish immigrants, Eileen Ivers grew up in the culturally diverse neighborhood of the Bronx, New York. Rooted in Irish traditional music since the age of eight, Eileen proceeded to win nine All-Ireland fiddle championships, a tenth on tenor banjo and over 30 championship medals, making her one of the most awarded persons ever to compete in these prestigious competitions.

Being an Irish-American, the intrigue of learning more about the multicultural sounds of her childhood took hold. After graduating magna cum laude in Mathematics from Iona College and while continuing her post-graduate work  in Mathematics, Eileen fully immersed herself in the different genres of music which she experienced growing up in New York.  Perhaps it was the mathematical mind coupled with her passion for seeking parallels in certain traditional music styles which contributed to what has  become the signature sound featured in much of Eileen's recordings since the late 1980's.

In 1999 Eileen established a touring production to present the music which now encompasses Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul. This mix of African and Latin percussion and bass, Irish instrumentalists, and American soulful vocals headlines major performing arts centers, guest stars with numerous symphonies, performs at major festivals worldwide and has appeared on national and international television. The L.A. Times proclaims, "Ivers' presentation was music with the kind of life and spirit that come together when talented artists from different backgrounds find the linkages that connect all forms of music ...no wonder the audience loved every minute."

Eileen is also privileged to share the stage with two of the world's most celebrated violinists, classical virtuoso Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and jazz great Regina Carter, in the critically acclaimed 'Fiddlers Three'. This show continues to fascinate symphony audiences throughout the U.S. "'Fiddlers Three will go down as one of the great Boston Pops Events." - Boston Globe.

ZETA Music, the world's leading electric stringed instrument maker, has recently introduced the Eileen Ivers Signature Series blue violin.

"She suggests the future of the Celtic fiddle." - Geoffrey Himes, The Washington Post

"The Eileen Ivers Band rocked the house everywhere it played. ...A beautifully inventive fiddler ...Her playing a tradition-rich yet adventurous, spiced with world, jazz and pop." - Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe

"She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing ...then she focuses her attention outwards to the audience, who shout and cheer and answer her calls in a deafening chorus." - Mary O'Malley, The Irish Times

"Nobody does it better than Eileen Ivers. Not only does the orchestra savor her musicianship and professionalism, but, she never misses to bring a pops audience to its feet with thunderous ovations." - Marvin Hamlisch, National Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony Pops Conductor

"Ivers bridges the gap between her celtic roots and styles ranging from jazz, salsa and flamenco to rock funk and even electronica ... a sensation." - Billboard Magazine

"At the center of everything, providing both musical energy and a style that constantly pressed against the limits of traditionalism, was the brilliant fiddler, Eileen Ivers. Her Originality and rhythmic swing well provide the bridge Irish music needs to break through to a mainstream audience. ...No wonder the audience loved every minute." - Don Heckman, The Los Angeles Times

"The Eileen Ivers Band electrified a familiar repertory, merging the Celtic and African diasporas...she made her instrument sound like Jimi Hendrix's guitar." -Neil Strauss, The New York Times

"Sizzling, Afro-Latin-Irish fusion music ...If New York is a melting pot, this band is turning up the heat." - Tom Nelligan, DirtyLinen Magazine

"Do not miss them - people will be talking about this band for years to come. A six piece unit that marinades traditional Irish music and African, Caribbean and other deeply rhythmic beats." - David Perry, Lowell, MA - The Sun

"Ivers plays with such genius that she surpasses genre. It was an invigorating, highly energetic evening." - Nancy Stetson, Naples Daily News

"Throughout the evening the audience ...joined in clapping and singing. Ivers and her band received three standing ovations." - J. M. Lacey, Piscataquis Observer

Haugh Performing Arts Center

Citrus College

1000 West Foothill Boulevard, Glendora

626-963-9411