Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul Perform at the Ordway in St. Paul Tonight

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 tonight, 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.

Greg Anderson (guitar, backing vocals) Multi-instrumentalist and producer Greg Anderson hails from the musical melting pot of New York City. Anderson has performed and recorded with a variety of international artists from several musical genres, including Cathie Ryan, Susan McKeown, Richard Shindell, Tommy Sands, Seán Tyrrell, and Steeleye Span fiddler Peter Knight. Anderson played bass for the Avant-rock group Doctor Nerve and The Klezmatics, accompanying both on international tours. As a producer, he is a recognized expert at the blending of traditional music with contemporary sounds and production values, and has produced albums for Richard Shindell, Eamon O'Tuama, The Klezmatics, Whirligig, Patrick Mangan and James Keane.

Lindsey Horner (upright and electric bass) Bassist Lindsey Horner is one of the more versatile musicians in jazz and modern music. He has worked with musicians such as Greg Osby, Bill Frisell, Bobby Previte, Dave Douglas, Don Byron and Muhal Richard Abrams. His music includes a unique blend of jazz, folk, Celtic and classical music. Horner is as at home playing improvised music, and has been in the orchestra pit of dozens of Broadway shows, including "Lion King" and "Tommy." He has produced five recordings, the most recent being "Undiscovered Country" which features Irish music legend Andy Irvine. Horner is also a member of the co-operative group "Jewels and Binoculars," who focus on improvised takes on the music of Bob Dylan. Their final recording "Ships with Tattooed Sails," found its way onto many critics' "Best of the Year" lists. He also has deep roots in Irish music having toured and recorded extensively with singer/songwriter Susan McKeown and Scottish fiddle master Johnny Cunningham. Horner is thrilled to be making music with Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul.

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul's most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway's Music Theater and McKnight stages attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway's mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also serves as authorizer for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances.

Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul will perform tonight, March 17, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets starting at $26 (including fees). Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is located at 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN. For the ticket office, call 651.224.4222. Groups: 651.282.3111. For more information, visit ordway.org.

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