NORWICH – Growing up as the child or Irish immigrants, Eileen Ivers Bronx home was always filled with the sounds of traditional Irish music, and those sounds convinced her early in life that music was something she was passionate about. Years later, after winning nine All-Ireland Fiddle Championships – the first at age 10 – and touring the United States and beyond with various musical groups and her own band Immigrant Soul, Ivers will be performing in Norwich at the Chenango County Council of the Arts.
Hoping that she would go into dance, Ivers’ parents encouraged her to take up something traditionally Irish. “They encouraged dancing, but I wasn’t any good at it and I didn’t like it,” Ivers said. Instead, at age eight she choose the fiddle, and just two years later, she won her first All-Ireland Fiddle Championship. “It was a big deal for an American born player to win,” Ivers said of the competition, “and it was positive reinforcement for a kid. The legacy was part of the tradition, so I kept competing.”
Among her musical accomplishments, Ivers had the privilege to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra, The National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, the Boston Pops, The Chieftains, Hall and Oates, Afrocelts, Patti Smith, Paula Cole, Ad Di Meola and Steve Gadd. In addition she was the musical star of Riverdance from 1995 to 1998.
Ivers admitted that initially she turned down Riverdance Composer Bill Whelan’s request to be a part of the show due to other commitments, but eventually she freed herself for the performance. “I had worked with Bill in Ireland and here, and he is amazingly talented,” Ivers said. The composer wrote two pieces specifically for Ivers to perform.
Being in Riverdance helped Ivers to grow as a performer. “The director encouraged me to open the violin role on the bigger stage and bring out the music,” Ivers explained that as a performer you’re always trying to break down the “fourth wall,” the wall between the audience and the performer, and Riverdance, as well as performances with Hall and Oates and others, helped her to do that.
Ivers credits the ability to interact with the audience as one of the reasons her band has been successful.
After leaving Riverdance, Ivers put together her own band Immigrant Soul. Currently the band is made up of lead singer and percussionist Tommy McDonnell, Buddy Connolly on the accordion, whistles and keyboards, Greg Anderson on guitar and back-up vocals and Leo Traversa on bass guitar. Although there have been some changes in the band over the years, Ivers said the members are like family. “People come in and they realize this is a friendship and a family. Everyone brings there own talents and passions to the table, and these people appreciate the opportunity to be creative and giving every night,” Ivers said.
The band’s music combines traditional Irish sounds with traditional music styles. Billboard magazine has said “Ivers bridges the gap between her Celtic roots and styles ranging from jazz, salsa and flamenco to rock funk and even electronica.” Inspired by her Bronx upbringing, Ivers strives to mix her traditional Irish style with different sounds from around the globe. “A beautifully inventive fiddler...Her playing, a tradition-rich yet adventurous, spiced with world, jazz and pop,” said Scott Alarik of the Boston Globe.
Ivers explained that her band members have different backgrounds and influences, some of which are rooted in traditional Irish music, and some which are not. She hopes her performance combines the traditional music and stories with a wider range of instruments and sounds.
Ivers and Immigrant Soul will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29 at the Chenango County Council of the Arts. Performing with them will be the Drumcliffe Irish Dances. For more information or to purchase tickets call the Council of the Arts at 336-ARTS (2787) or visit the web site at www.chenangoarts.com.