Carlos Núñez Performs 1st Chicago Concert in 10 years Oct. 15

Carlos Núñez, considered the “7th member of The Chieftains” and proclaimed the “Jimi Hendrix of bagpipes” by Billboard, returns to Chicago for the first time in 10 years in a must-see performance at Irish American Heritage Center’s Mayfair Theatre, 4626 N. Knox Ave. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Núñez embodies and reflects the irrepressible spirit of his native music while also skillfully exploring fresh, fascinating realms of possibility for it. He has become more than a spokesperson for Galician Celtic music: he is one of its greatest ambassadors. He will be joined on stage by his brother Xurxo Núñez on percussion, guitarist Pancho Álvarez and violinist Jonathan Pilatzkje, another member of The Chieftains.

Núñez has, besides the traditional Galician bagpipe (or gaita), mastered such wind instruments as the ocarina, the Scottish highland pipes, the uilleann (Irish) pipes, the bombarde (a kind of Breton oboe) and pastoral pipes (18th-century precursor of the uilleann pipes), among many others. Born in 1971 and raised in the Galician port of Vigo, Carlos’ big break came when the legendary Irish group The Chieftains invited him to perform with them at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. This highly auspicious U.S. concert debut led to several tours and recordings with the Chieftains, including the groundbreaking Grammy-winning album "Santiago" (1996) which helped open the doors worldwide to Galician Celtic music. Not surprisingly, his 1996 solo album debut, "A Irmandade das Estrelas" (Brotherhood of Stars in English), fulfilled his musical mission of inter-Celtic confraternity in stunning style. Featuring more than 50 guests, the album enjoyed extraordinary sales in Spain, where it became the first Celtic traditional recording to reach the coveted platinum status.

His latest solo project, "Celtic Sea," continues that mission. Produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the shipping company Brittany Ferries, Núñez uses instruments from different historical periods of this music (including the recently reconstructed prehistoric Atlantic lyres), he also draws inspiration from all kinds of repertoires and compositional techniques of Celtic music. Anchored by Nuñez’s sheer joy and exuberance, and his desire to share this musical history with the public, his concerts are a celebration of those connections that leave audiences on their feet.

Carlos Núñez performs at Irish American Heritage Center’s Mayfair Theatre, 4626 N. Knox Ave. at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Tickets are $35 ($30 ILCC members). For tickets call 773-282-7035, extension 10 or visit: Carlos Nunez.