Celtic Night. Michael Black from Ireland and the New Time Ensemble.Michael Black and New Time Ensemble
The 26th season finale of the Linden Tree Coffeehouse will feature a night of Celtic music. The series coordinators of acoustic music will welcome to Wakefield Irish singer-songwriter Michael Black and the New Time Ensemble on Saturday, June 11th at 8 pm.
Michael Black has rejuvenated his solo career and has begun performing at venues around the US, Canada, New Zealand and in Iceland. He has played at the Celtic Colors Festival in Nova Scotia and in one of his performances in Hawaii he was joined by Liam Clancy of the famous Clancy Brothers. His solo album Michael Black (2007), produced by John Doyle, was voted “Album of the Year” by Celtic Connections, a radio show that broadcasts in 22 states. The Irish Times in its review of the album noted, “There's enough pristine music tucked inside this solo collection ….to power a rocket. Irish Music Magazine stated, “This is an album that’s beautifully simple and simply beautiful….Michael’s voice shines through on every track”. Featured on the album are John Doyle, Liz Carroll, and Seamus Egan. Michael continues to play guitar and banjo, but his real love is the songs. Michael believes that songs and music “are good for the soul” and this inherent love of music continues to give him an emotional lift that can only inspire musical endeavors in the years to come. www.michaelblack.info
The four musicians who make up the New Time Ensemble met while taking advanced musical degrees at the University of Limerick, one of these islands’ hotbeds of traditional music studies. Hence a French guitarist, a flautist from Maine, a Scottish fiddler and a cellist from Wisconsin, now Wakefield, come well versed in the Irish session repertoire. The group is an eclectic mix of musical styles and personalities, with Irish traditional music at its heart. The sound is fresh and innovative, yet grounded in the individualities of each musician. Their debut CD is entitled “A Year in Ireland.” Although not Irish, they adore the music. www.newtimeensemble.com
The Linden Tree Coffeehouse is located at the UU Church, 326 Main Street, Wakefield. Tickets will be sold at the door beginning at 7:30. Admission for this show is $15 adults, ($10 students 8-17) thanks to partial support from Massachusetts Cultural Council, Wakefield chapter. For more information and reservations: 781-246-2836, www.LindenTreeCoffeehouse.org
