Introducing Afro-Cuban-Celtic music
Irish America Hall of Famer Arturo O’Farrill and his Jazz Alliance/Belongo were recent recipients of the Mellon Foundation’s $35 million Jazz Initiative. Jazz, the only purely American art form, has always been dynamic and open to assimilating other musical styles. Arturo, a pianist, composer, and six-time Grammy winner, brought a variant of jazz to the stage with his Afro-Cuban Big Band. Now he continues to innovate by integrating Celtic forms and tonality into jazz.
Just as Afro-Cuban-Celtic is a strange mix, the names Arturo and O’Farrill don’t seem to belong together either. However, the Hibernian-Hispanic connection has a long history dating back to around 1000 BC, when the Milesians, eight sons of the Spanish King, arrived in Ireland as the original Gaels.
Arturo went to Ireland to visit his (other) ancestral home and to explore traditional Irish music and its ancient Celtic rhythms. He said of the experience, “The music resonated with me, because my father and his people, far back, are from the county of Longford. There’s still a lot of Irish in the O’Farrill’s.”
In a serendipitous twist, Arturo shared his findings with bandmate David Bixler, an alto saxophonist whose wife, Heather, a Julliard-trained violinist, was immersed in the study of the Irish fiddle. The threesome discussed the inherent similarity between jazz and Irish traditional music: both are passed down in the aural tradition, involve communal sessions, and use a 6/8 time signature. Arturo, David, and Heather decided to join forces and possibly create a new form in jazz and World Music. Their group The Auction Project tours regularly, with and without Arturo; their performances unite the cultures of Africa, Cuba, and Ireland – places with shared histories of colonization, poverty, and a love of music – in a profoundly and excitingly united way.
David and Heather have a musical conversation; she answers his jazz riff with the flowing rhythm of a jig. The big band and Afro-Cuban percussion join in; it’s a fierce celebration of life with worlds colliding and collaborating.
Arturo O’Farrill says this is his mission: “I believe through the power of music we can change the outcome of humanity. When we perform/compose with conviction and conscience, we can raise awareness of world hunger, social injustice, and more.” Let’s hope he’s right.
– Rosemary Rogers
Magical Music Trip With Joanie
Inducted into the 2024 Irish America Hall of Fame, Joanie Madden remains an unstoppable force in preserving and advancing Irish traditional music. Her leadership, creativity, and commitment to cultural heritage have made her a beacon of inspiration in the global Irish community.
In addition to her incredible music, which she performs with Cherish the Ladies, the band she formed over 30 years ago, Joanie also runs musical tours and cruises.
Most recently, Joanie and Cherish the Ladies guitarist and cohort Mary Coogan
embarked on an amazing seven-day bus tour around Ireland, sharing music, stories, and laughter while visiting the country’s awe-inspiring sites and scenery.
The Grand Irish Loop tour – from coastline to countryside – visited Cork, Kerry, Clare, Wicklow, and Wexford, where the travelers, 40 in all, stopped into the Irish America Hall
of Fame, which is housed at the Dunbrody Famine Ship and Irish Emigrant Experience, in New Ross. They explored the Hall of Fame and the “coffin” ship, reflecting on the bravery and perseverance of the emigrants, both on the voyage and in their new lives in America, which Joanie said was “very moving and emotional.”
To find out more about Joanie’s tours visit: www.joaniemadden.com
For info on the Dunbrody/ Irish America Hall of Fame. www.dunbrody.com/
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of Irish America. ♦
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