Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy

Born in Dublin, to a family of musicians, Aoife Ní Bhriain has established herself as one of the most versatile musicians of her generation. Thanks to her musical heritage combined with her classical studies she has collaborated and performed with musicians such as pianist Eliso Virsaladze, fiddle player Martin Hayes, violinist Mariana Sirbu, Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel and Oscar winning actor Tim Robbins. She has been guest co-leader of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Guest Leader of Crash Ensemble, Stargaze Ensemble, Concorde Ensemble and has also co-led the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Cormac McCarthy is a pianist and composer from Cork. His music is said to “defy categorisation ”(Lyric FM). His compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by artists including Phil Woods, Jeff Hamilton, The Carducci Quartet, The RTE Concert Orchestra, The Irish Chamber Orchestra and The Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra.

As a pianist he has performed throughout Europe and the US, sharing the stage with artists across a wide musical spectrum. His recent solo piano release, On The Other Hand “marks him pit as one of the rising stars of European Jazz Piano” (The Irish Times).