Q. What do Bob Marley and U2 have in Common? A. Chris Blackwell The founder of Island Records talks to Marilyn Cole Lownes about his Irish Jamaican heritage, U2, and his life in the music business. It's no coincidence that the man who made Jamaican singer Bob Marley a cultural icon also made U2, the rock band from Dublin, an international phenomenon. Chris Blackwell, the … [Read more...] about Island Man
Music Archives
Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas
IA Newsletter, November 18, 2023
Saturday, December 2nd Kupferberg Center for the Arts Kupferberg Center for the Arts proudly presents Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas, a heartwarming celebration of Irish culture and holiday joy on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The evening promises to enchant audiences with the captivating sounds and spirited dance of this Grammy-nominated, Irish-American supergroup. One … [Read more...] about Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas
How Name Changing Hid a Heritage
By Megan Smolenyak
Barry Manilow. Yes, I know, most think of him as a Jewish fellow from Brooklyn – and he is. But he’s also a quarter Irish, and due to certain circumstances in his family, that Irish share has had a disproportionate influence on his family tree. - Megan Smolenyak Name Changing Though he wouldn’t have known it, when Barry changed surnames, he was the third generation … [Read more...] about How Name Changing Hid a Heritage
The Job of Songs
IA Newsletter, November 11, 2023
Tourists flock to the west coast of Ireland to take in the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, but the real treasure lies in the soulful, acoustic sounds wafting out of pubs and living rooms of Doolin, County Clare. The denizens of this unspoiled coastal village of tight-knit neighbors and unlocked doors revel in the passion and history of their traditional folk songs, using music as … [Read more...] about The Job of Songs
Music from an Irish Cottage
IA Newsletter, October 7, 2023
Irish fiddler Kevin Burke has always been a forward-thinking traditional musician. His latest production brings together some of Ireland's leading traditional musicians in a new video series, “Music from an Irish Cottage," scheduled for release later this month on Vimeo. Each session features two guests, including Sharon Shannon (The Waterboys, Steve Earle), Seán … [Read more...] about Music from an Irish Cottage