Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul to Perform at the Ordway in St. Paul, 3/17

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts' Target World Music and Dance Series continues in March, with a performance by Celtic music legend Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day). This performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Ordway's Music Theater.

Eileen Ivers is recognized as one of the best fiddlers and Celtic instrumentalists in the world. She is a legendary nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion who explores the traditions and progressions of Celtic music. Joined on stage by the band Immigrant Soul, Ivers blends her fiddling with instruments from around the world including the accordion, Bouzouki, congas and harmonica.

Exposed to traditional Irish music since the age of eight, Ivers has won 30 championship medals in addition to her nine All-Ireland fiddle titles, making her one of the most awarded persons ever to participate in fiddling competitions. Ivers has performed with artists such as the Boston Pops, Sting, Hall and Oates, Paula Cole and the London Symphony Orchestra. Her movie soundtracks also include "Gangs of New York."

Ivers has performed internationally for presidents and royalty, and has an extensive list of accomplishments, tours, headlines and affiliations.

An original star of Riverdance, a Grammy Award winner and a great pioneer of world music, Eileen Ivers will change how you think about the violin. The Ordway is particularly excited to host Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul on St. Patrick's Day, where the musical theater will be transformed into an Irish-fiddling extravaganza.

Immigrant Soul Ensemble:

Tommy McDonnell (vocalist, percussion) New York native Tommy McDonnell is an inspired vocalist who has been performing professionally since the age of 15. The son of a carpenter and professional actress/singer/dancer, McDonnell brings a deeply soulful aspect to the multidimensional thrust of Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul. He has appeared as a featured performer in Universal Pictures' "Blues Brothers," on "The Late Show with David Letterman"and on "Saturday Night Live." He also performed with the Blues Brothers during the Super Bowl. McDonnell has also shared the stage with such greats as B.B. King, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Lou Rawls, Isaac Hayes, Wilson Picket, and was a member of the "ORIGINAL Blues Brothers Band" with Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman and a host of music legends.

Buddy Connolly (accordion, whistles, keyboards) Three-time All-Ireland Accordion Champion Buddy Connolly hails from Newark, New Jersey, with parents from Clare and Galway in Ireland. Connolly credits the teaching of button box master John Whelan for his individual success and the late Martin Mulvihill for numerous titles in other group categories. As a freelance musician, Connolly has toured all over the U.S. with several different bands. In 1995, Connolly moved to Nashville and was introduced to bluegrass, Cajun and country music. Connolly has worked with Tim O'Brien, Kathy Mattea, Rodney Crowell, Christian rockers Ceili Rain, Orleans, Matt Molloy (Chieftains), Joel Sonnier and many others.

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