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, Michigan based 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, festivals and select pubs. They are active members and teachers for 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 - 2008). Asher can be seen playing a Edgley concertina of the Frank Edgley concertina maker site.

Contact Jim for more info or bookings

..........2009..........

Fri June 5 - Finvarra's Wren at the Ark in Ann Arbor. 8:pm.

Fri. July 10... Marine City Music Festival (details later)

Sunday July 19 ... 3 :00 ... Finvarra's Wren and Mississippi Irish band Legacy presents an afternoon of Irish Trad. Come and hear why Legacy is such a favorite of ours... Ancient Order of Hibernian's Hall... Grand River west of Telegraph

Friday, August 14, 2009. Cheryl and Jim will do a concert in the park of Irish and American Folk Music - East Jordan Michigan. Details later.

Saturday, September 5 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Thumb Fest.

Thurs. September 10... Fenian's ... Jackson Mississippi.

Fri, Sat, Sun. Sept 11, 12, 13 Celtic Fest Mississippi details soon

October 10... Trinity House Concerts.

November 29...The Cukoo's Nest. London Ontario.

Dec 19th - The Wren's Annual Solstice show - returns to Mama's Concert Series. ( The Michigan Accoustic Music Assoc. ) Great venue! 8:00pm.

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

Asher demos Frank Edgely concertinas

There are lots of new photos on our myspace.

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