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Christmas with the Celts

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Revel in this uplifting, spirited holiday celebration featuring Irish and Scottish Christmas carols, some never before heard by modern ears, along with traditional Christmas favorites, hosted by the international Irish music group The Celts. Enjoy a special moment with the children’s choir too! Really excited to have them returning to our Hartford stage! Come celebrate the holidays with us! 

Christmas with the Celts

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www.theceltsmusic.com

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Artist Bio

The Celts (formerly known as “The Blair Band”) have been performing around the world for 15 years.  The Celts are a combination of Irish born and Irish-American musicians.  The band performs a combination of fiery Scottish/Irish traditional instrumental tunes and vocal songs as well as their own Beatles/American pop influenced original songs with Celtic instrumentation. 

 

Ric Blair is the leader and founder of The Celts.  In talking about the music of The Celts Ric says, “Although my family (Blair means “Battlefield” in Gaelic) has strong Irish and Scottish roots, I was born and raised here in America.  So, although I love both traditional Irish and Scottish music and it is a huge part of who I am and where I came from, I am also very American.  I am proud of my Celtic heritage as well as my American upbringing.  So, in being true to these influences I have somehow unconsciously combined the two styles; that is, very pure traditional Celtic music melded with the pop sensibilities that I have heard my whole life in American pop music.  So, the music that emerged has become the music of The Celts.” 

 

Ric Blair has an extensive resume. He has worked as a producer, film-composer, engineer, session player and touring musician around the world.  Ric has composed film scores for people like Morgan Freeman and Danny Glover, produced numerous CDs and has even penned a Grammy nominated song which went to number one on the billboard charts. An interesting note is that Ric also served as the personal guitar instructor for rocker Sheryl Crow.  Across all genres of music Ric has done it all; from rock to pop to hard core Celtic.  Ric is a multi-instrumentalist and plays acoustic/electric guitar, piano/keyboards, vocals, bodhran, Irish whistle, and Irish fiddle. 

 

Percussionist Jeff Durham and Dublin piper Patrick D’Arcy have been with The Celts nearly since its inception in 1995. Patrick (graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music who is frequently hired to perform by Bono of U2) is not only an amazing piper but he has got the quick wit that the Irish are known for.  The bantering between Patrick and Jeff is a constant source of entertainment as each of them trades off accents leaving most wondering where anyone is really from. 

 

Original The Celts band member Jeff Durham plays a unique hybrid djembe/percussion kit that he devised himself.  Jeff is not only an incredible percussionist but a comedian, actor and published screenplay writer.  Jeff will keep you in stitches as he shares his natural, yet unpredictable Celtic sense of humor in concert.   

 

Irish fiddler Kimberly Barnes has been with The Celts for 8 years.  Kimberly has also performed with other legends of the Irish fiddle such as Martin Hayes, Matt Cranitch, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh of Altan, and has sat in with The Chieftains.  On her off time Kimberly can sometimes been seen performing with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and The Nashville Symphony. Kimberly is not only an expert of the Irish fiddler but possesses a Masters Degree in Classical Music.  You will be mesmerized by Kimberly’s stage presence while performing with The Celts. 

 

With a graduate degree from Edinburgh University in Ethnomusicology in Scotland, Deb Shebish is not only a virtuoso on Scottish fiddle but she is also an encyclopedia regarding the history and culture of her Scottish music.   Performing with The Celts for almost 8 years now, Deb is an incredible talent, a gentle, humble soul, but she casts fire on the Scottish fiddle! 

 

The Celts have recorded 8 records and have been featured on tons of Celtic music compilations through the years.  They have performed in front of as many as 80,000 people everywhere from Civic Auditoriums to Festivals, Performing Arts Centers, churches and pubs.  When you see The Celts you will not only be moved by the infectious energy and passion of the group but you will be impressed by the incredible musicianship of each band member.  A typical concert involves not only fervent, inspired music but also periodic bouts of spirited Irish dancing. 

 

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