Iconic Fiddler Headlines Irish Music Concert At West Hartford's USJ

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Legendary Irish fiddler Martin Hayes will return to West Hartford on Sunday, March 15, for a rare solo performance at Hoffman Auditorium on the campus of the University of Saint Joseph.

The Sunday concert begins at 3 p.m. and will be Hayes’s only Connecticut appearance as part of his current U.S. tour.

Tickets are available online through the event’s ticketing page.

A former West Hartford resident, Hayes will perform two days at USJ, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, before appearing at Carnegie Hall on St. Patrick’s Day.

Hayes has been described by The Irish Post as “the most important Irish musician of his generation.” His performances have also been praised by The Irish Examiner as “as close to a spiritual experience as music can be…food for the soul.”

“A Martin Hayes performance is a can't-miss event—he'll be at Carnegie Hall on St. Patrick's Day, but he's starting his U.S. tour right here in West Hartford, which he once called home,” said Aidan Levy, an assistant professor of English at the University of Saint Joseph who is co-organizing the concert. “So in a way, this concert is not just an opportunity to celebrate the best of Irish culture—it's also a homecoming.”

The event will open with a set by former Connecticut Official State Troubadour Tom Callinan, who will perform songs honoring New Ross in County Wexford, Ireland—Hartford’s Irish sister city.

An Irish traditional ensemble led by fiddler Jeanne Freeman will also perform.

The group will include button accordion champion Damien Connolly, mandolin player Claudine Langille, and guitarist Flynn Cohen.

Hayes, originally from County Clare, Ireland, is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in Irish traditional music.

Over a decades-long career, he has collaborated with musicians across genres, including Sting, Paul Simon, and Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble.

He also performed and recorded for more than 20 years with guitarist Dennis Cahill and has appeared with artists such as Bill Frisell, Ricky Skaggs, and Jordi Savall.

Hayes is the founder of the internationally touring Irish-American group The Gloaming and serves as artistic director of the Masters of Tradition in County Cork. He also co-curates the Marble Sessions at the Kilkenny Arts Festival.

His honors include TG4’s Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year and recognition as Person of the Year by the American Irish Historical Society.

He has also received the Spirit of Ireland award from the Irish Arts Center and an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the University of Galway.

The March 15 concert at the University of Saint Joseph is supported by the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation.

To purchase tickets for Saturday's show, click on this link.