Biography
Dervish, among Ireland's most cherished traditional groups, arose from Sligo in the early 1990s and quickly gained notice for their intense concerts, accomplished playing, and meticulously shaped arrangements. Embracing a fully independent outlook, the ensemble put out multiple strong albums on their own across the 1990s and 2000s, building an international following through relentless touring and performances at folk gatherings as well as large rock events such as Brazil's Rock in Rio and England's Glastonbury. They also appeared in the Eurovision Song Contest. After nearly thirty years and twelve self-issued recordings, Dervish partnered with Rounder Records in 2019 to release The Great Irish Songbook, their star-studded homage to Ireland's lasting songs.
The musicians first came together in 1989 as the Boys of Sligo. Prompted by Sligo-based Sound Records, the original five—Liam Kelly on flute and tin whistle, Shane Mitchell on accordion, Michael Holmes on bouzouki, Brian McDonagh on mandolin and mandola, and Martin McGinley on fiddle—recorded one album of traditional instrumental pieces under that name. Singer and bodhran player Cathy Jordan joined in 1991, at which point Shane McAleer replaced McGinley on fiddle and the expanded lineup adopted the name Dervish.
Harmony Hill, issued in 1993, positioned Dervish as a leading Irish traditional act, bringing their distinctive tonal character to the music while rejecting synthesizers and the electric instrumentation favored by many Celtic contemporaries. This strictly acoustic stance supported them throughout their career as they produced further well-received albums such as Playing with Fire in 1995 and Midsummer's Night in 1999. Working without a label, they oversaw their affairs capably, touring Europe regularly and documenting one Spanish date as Live in Palma in 1997. They also reached South America for a slot at Brazil's expansive Rock in Rio festival.
Fiddler Tom Morrow joined by the end of the 1990s, taking McAleer's place, and Dervish marked their tenth anniversary with the 2001 anthology Decade. Still independent, they continued releasing quality albums like Spirit in 2003 and A Healing Heart in 2005 while strengthening their worldwide audience through repeated appearances across the U.S., Europe, and farther afield. In 2007 they represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest and issued Traveling Show, their seventh studio album. That year also brought a state visit to China alongside Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, during which they staged an unplanned session on the Great Wall of China.
Jordan released the solo album All the Way Home in 2012 and returned to group work the next year for The Thrush in the Storm. After remaining unsigned since 1991, Dervish signed with Rounder Records, the American folk and roots specialists, in 2018. Their first release on the label, The Great Irish Songbook, appeared a year later and included contributions from country singer Vince Gill, Americana artist Rhiannon Giddens, U.K. songwriter David Gray, and others.
The musicians first came together in 1989 as the Boys of Sligo. Prompted by Sligo-based Sound Records, the original five—Liam Kelly on flute and tin whistle, Shane Mitchell on accordion, Michael Holmes on bouzouki, Brian McDonagh on mandolin and mandola, and Martin McGinley on fiddle—recorded one album of traditional instrumental pieces under that name. Singer and bodhran player Cathy Jordan joined in 1991, at which point Shane McAleer replaced McGinley on fiddle and the expanded lineup adopted the name Dervish.
Harmony Hill, issued in 1993, positioned Dervish as a leading Irish traditional act, bringing their distinctive tonal character to the music while rejecting synthesizers and the electric instrumentation favored by many Celtic contemporaries. This strictly acoustic stance supported them throughout their career as they produced further well-received albums such as Playing with Fire in 1995 and Midsummer's Night in 1999. Working without a label, they oversaw their affairs capably, touring Europe regularly and documenting one Spanish date as Live in Palma in 1997. They also reached South America for a slot at Brazil's expansive Rock in Rio festival.
Fiddler Tom Morrow joined by the end of the 1990s, taking McAleer's place, and Dervish marked their tenth anniversary with the 2001 anthology Decade. Still independent, they continued releasing quality albums like Spirit in 2003 and A Healing Heart in 2005 while strengthening their worldwide audience through repeated appearances across the U.S., Europe, and farther afield. In 2007 they represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest and issued Traveling Show, their seventh studio album. That year also brought a state visit to China alongside Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, during which they staged an unplanned session on the Great Wall of China.
Jordan released the solo album All the Way Home in 2012 and returned to group work the next year for The Thrush in the Storm. After remaining unsigned since 1991, Dervish signed with Rounder Records, the American folk and roots specialists, in 2018. Their first release on the label, The Great Irish Songbook, appeared a year later and included contributions from country singer Vince Gill, Americana artist Rhiannon Giddens, U.K. songwriter David Gray, and others.
Albums
Singles
