Steeped in the Living Tradition

Our most recent C.D.
"Haven't Yet Lost My Ears"

Available by mail or at performances.

This powerful five piece, Detroit Irish band plays invigorating Irish, Scottish and Celtic-American folk music. Traditional and contemporary songs are punctuated with wonderfully inventive arrangements of jigs, reels and hornpipes, hotly fueled by Alison on fiddle and whistles, Terence on the uilleann pipes and whistles and Asher on buttoned accordion and concertina.

Jim and Cheryl's unique vocal blend bring an irresistible approach to the songs placed against rich musical arrangements that include Appalachian dulcimer, bodhran and guitar as well as the more traditional fiddle, whistles , box and pipes. Terence and Alison also add lush and surprising vocal harmonies to accapella pieces. Occasionally, the band is joined by 3 time All-Ireland champion, Síobhan McKinney on Celtic harp.

The Wren Band performs primarily in concert settings around Michigan but can be hired for festivals , concerts and select pubs. Contact Jim for more info. All the members are active and teach at the Detroit IMA (Irish Music Association), the local branch of Comhaltas in Detroit.

Alison and Asher have both won prestigious Irish traditional music competitions at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil (Irish Music Competitions) in St. Louis. Alison competed against over two dozen of the top fiddlers in the US and Canada, taking first place and qualified to compete at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All-Ireland Music Championships) in Ireland, which can be viewed online.

Similarly, Asher has won both accordian and concertina competitions several years running (2004 - 2007). Asher can be seen playing a Edgley concertina of the Frank Edgley concertina maker site.

..........2008..........

Sat. June 21 2008, The summer solstice - The Ark , Ann Arbor . Come help shout a rousing hello to the summer!

Thurs. Sept. 4 - Fenians Pub. Jackson Mississippi.

Sept 5, 6, 7, 2008. Celtic Fest Mississippi. Details to follow.

Sat, Sept. 13 - Baltmore Irish Festival. Details later.

Sat. Oct. 11 Fiddlers Hearth in South Bend Indiana. New venue for us!

Sun. November 16 2008 , The Flying Cloud Folk Club, Toronto Ontario.

Sat. December 20th 2008 , Winter solstice show. The Ark, Ann Arbor.

VIDEOS
View video of Alison at the All-Ireland Competitions in Donegal, Ireland

Asher demos Frank Edgey concertinas

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