Eileen Ivers

Eileen Ivers will change the way you think of the violin.

Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated, Eileen Ivers continues to push traditional fiddling boundaries from a folk music staple to a fiercely fresh, powerfully beautiful, intensely driving world stage experience. In a career that has spanned over 30 years, Ivers has performed and/or toured with such diverse artists as Sting, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, Hall and Oates and The Chieftains. She has guest starred with the London Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Pops and over 50 symphony orchestras to date, was the groundbreaking musical star of Riverdance, a featured instrumentalist on Back to Titanic and film soundtracks including Gangs of New York.  She is a 9-time All-Ireland fiddle champion, and one of the most awarded All-Ireland Fiddle and Banjo champions ever.  Eileen has been proclaimed “a national treasure” by NCTA Board Chairman George Holt as she celebrates her renowned career as a performer, composer, producer, songwriter, band leader, educator, multi-instrumentalist and revered pioneer in connecting her American, Irish traditional, jazz, blues, and world roots.  

She’s been called a “sensation” by Billboard magazine and “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” by The New York Times. “She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing” says The Irish Times.

Ivers graduated magna cum laude in Mathematics from Iona College, and in 2019, Iona College conferred upon Eileen Ivers the degree of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa for her “lifelong commitment to innovation, excellence and deep dedication to bringing people together through music.”  Eileen continues to bring people together in performance with her five piece, passionate, powerhouse band.  The L.A. Times proclaims, “Ivers’ presentation was music with the kind of life and spirit that come together when talented artists from different backgrounds find the linkages that connect all forms of music…no wonder the audience loved every minute.”

“Scatter the Light” is Eileen’s newest CD release of predominantly original music. It follows the previous release “Beyond the Bog Road”, which focused on the influences of the Celtic tradition on Roots music (bluegrass, French-Canadian, Cajun, Appalachian, Americana).  In 2021 Eileen will be releasing her first children’s book, a heartwarming story entitled “Will Someone Play Bluey?” featuring talking instruments …and a blue violin.

Eileen’s powerful, entertaining and copyright clear full symphony program features her three-member ensemble: Matt Mancuso (lead vocals, guitar), Buddy Connolly (button accordion, whistles), and Dave Barckow (percussion).  Together with Eileen on fiddle, mandolin, bodhran, and live looping, the group showcase the connection of roots music through intricate, diverse and engaging orchestrations and songs.

“Eileen Ivers is a consummate artist, and one of the most innovative of today’s Celtic musicians. Her obvious joy and sincerity in performing make her an audience favorite, and her skill and collegiality should make her a favorite with any orchestra fortunate enough to engage her.” – Keith Lockhart, Boston Pops