Claire Mann

(October 2001) 12 tracks: Fahey's, Chloe's Passion, The Green Laurels, Cumberland To Colpitts, Polkas, Mornings At Bonny Doon, Mrs Malaprop's Obsessed Island, Tim's Mazurkas, Cronin's, Drinaun Dhun, The Commodore, Fiddle Cushion.

Claire Mann comes from Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England and is quickly establishing herself as one of the leading exponents of Traditional Irish flute, fiddle, tin whistle and song. She spent many of the summers during her childhood visiting Ireland and attending Fleadh Cheoil competitions where she became immersed in the music. Over these years she began to play the whistle, aged ten and then the flute, aged twelve, all the time developing her own individual style and technique.

Claire won the All Ireland Flute Championships in 1993 retaining her title in 1994. During this time she added a Whistle All Ireland title and was a finalist on the Fiddle and in Singing. During those years she added over eighty Fleadh Cheoil medals and was a finalist in the prestigious BBC Young Tradition Award in 1993.

In 1995 Claire teamed up with Scots fiddle player Aidan O'Rourke to form the band Tabache. A year later they released their debut album Are You Willing? to critical acclaim. In 1998 Tabache released their follow up CD, Waves of Rush, again to great acclaim. Claire has also worked with Craobh Rua, and singer and piper Christy O'Leary, formerly of Boys of the Lough and De Dannan. Her innate musical ability and technical awareness of the music continues to captivate audiences.

Claire Mann (fiddle, flute, tin whistle, vocals), Aaron Jones (10 string bouzouki, guitar, vocals), John Joe Kelly (bodhran), Brian McAlpine (piano) and Simon Thoumire (concertina).

"catch of the Festival" (Sebastopol Folk Festival 2000, California)

"this excellent new CD of hers is full of great music and performances, and is sure to win Claire many new fans at home and abroad" (Irish Music Magazine)

"Claire on fiddle, flute, whistle and singing showed true musicianship on all" (Orcadian)

"The rhythm was absolutely incredible, the best rhythm I've heard anyone play with for years, it was brilliant, great playing" (Kathryn Tickell, BBC Radio 2's Young Tradition Award)