“Turning of the Year” Holiday Spectacular at The Rockwell
This December, The Rockwell will welcome musicians John Whelan, Low Lily and Katie McNally as they present “Turning of the Year,” a holiday spectacular. In this collaborative music performance, seven-time All-Ireland accordion champion John Whelan teams up with American folk band Low Lily and Scottish-style fiddler Katie McNally to feature traditional and original music from Ireland, Scotland and America. With high energy jigs, reels, lesser-known Christmas carols and winter classics, this diverse and spirited production will help usher in the holiday season with a bang. Featuring two fiddles, an accordion, guitars, a mandolin, double bass along with layered vocals, this exclusive show brings generations together for a fresh new take on the roots and folk genre from both sides of the pond.
About the musicians:
“Although John Whelan grew up near London in Dunstable, England, he was raised on the fiddle and pipe music of Ireland. Dunstable has always been surrounded by a large Irish community and his father, Denis, was from Ireland’s County Wexford. At the age of 14, already a seasoned winner of numerous accordion championships, Whelan recorded his first album, ‘Pride of Wexford.’ Since his debut album, John has recorded six additional albums and has been featured on numerous compilations. He has also collaborated with such luminaries including Eileen Ivers, Bernadette Peters, Johnny Cunningham, Tim O'Brien and Kathy Mattea. His music has been featured in numerous television programs, commercials and major motion pictures. Whelan has performed live on prestigious television programs including ‘Late Night with Conan O'Brien’ and ‘Fox After Breakfast.’”
“Low Lily is a trio based in Brattleboro, VT that explores the roots and branches of American folk music by creating a unique brand of acoustic music that is rooted, yet contemporary. Low Lily includes Liz Simmons (vocals, guitar) Flynn Cohen (vocals, guitar, mandolin) Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals, fiddle) and Corey DiMario (double bass). These masterful composers have deep relationships with traditional music styles ranging from bluegrass to Irish, Scottish, New England and Old Time Appalachian sounds. All bringing unique talents, these well-seasoned musicians combine their considerable strengths, experience and history to create an undeniably rich and versatile musical palette.”
"Deemed ‘The new face of Scottish fiddling in the USA’ (Living Tradition), Katie McNally has made waves in both the American folk music scene and abroad since the release of her debut album, ‘Flourish’, in 2013. A 2009 New England Scottish Fiddle Champion and recent cover girl for Fiddler Magazine, McNally has performed and taught fiddle courses in numerous countries. McNally attended both the University of Glasgow and the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland where she studied ancient & modern Scottish literature and Scottish traditional music. Familiar with the Somerville scene, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tufts University in 2012, where she earned the Etta and Harry Winokur Award for Outstanding Contribution to Performance. She has performed and toured with famed Galician piper Carlos Núñez, the fiddle super-group Childsplay, Eric McDonald as well as her own trio. This fall, she released her sophomore album, ‘The Boston States.’”
Event Location: The Rockwell, 255 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA
