John Blake is a traditional Irish flute player, guitarist and pianist, considered one of the finest traditional musicians of his generation. An ex member of traditional group Teada, John has performed and recorded with the cream of Irish musicians including, John Carty, Paddy Glackin, Noel Hill, Liam O’Flynn, Jesse Smith, Harry Bradley, Colm Gannon, The Kane Sisters and James Kelly. Brought up in London, John was immersed in the vibrant Irish music scene at the time, and was tutored by famed teacher Brendan Mulkere. He moved to Ireland in 1998 and developed a reputation as an accompanist of note, racking up several album credits. He joined traditional band ‘Teada‘ in 2001 and toured with them for 3 years. John released his debut solo album ‘The Narrow Edge‘ in December 2013.
‘Get this album if you have a love for the music or the instrument - here's someone who knows how to play!’ Living Tradition Magazine
‘Ultimately, this is a brilliant album that builds on Blake’s strong track record of great work. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in quiality traditional music and especially for lovers of the flute.’ The Irish Echo
‘This is an inspiring and fulfilling album that finally brings John Blake’s solo flute work centre stage’ tradconnect.com
‘wonderful arrangements behind fine fluting: John Blake has certainly mastered The Narrow Edge.’ Folkworld.eu
Watch John in action at the launch of his 2013 flute album "The Narrow Edge",
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3ekOQMNFgI [2]
and on piano performing with Harry Bradley, Jesse Smith and Colm Gannon at the 2014 TG4 awards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2wPxD-ukCg [4]
Mairead Hurley is a concertina player originally from the traditional Irish music stronghold of Co. Sligo, Ireland. She won the All-Ireland senior concertina title at the Fleadh Cheoil 2006, and has performed and taught concertina all over the world in recent years. Mairead spent 2014 living in Sydney and teaching Irish music at the Gaelic Club there. Since January 2015, she has been based in Melbourne and has become immersed in the vibrant local music scene there. She has performed at Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and Brunswick Festival as a special guest with Australian trad stalwarts Trouble in the Kitchen, as well as performing as a trio with Trubs members Ado Barker & Joe Ferguson at The National Celtic Festival and The Turning Wave Festival. She has also been seen on stage at theNational Folk Festival and in Tasmania with Sydney-based Irish band Restless Legs. She is currently working on her first solo album, and expects to complete it sometime in the next decade.
Mairead in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k68EExhy-3c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54CGBPxukpY
http://pipers.ie/source/media/?galleryId=968&mediaId=25282
"somebody said something nice about her once" -anon
"I'm her biggest fan. No literally, I'm her biggest fan. I'm 6' 4 1/2" tall" Jack Gilder, San Francisco
