Hot off the European Tour Trail The Paul McKenna Band + Comas Visit the Bay Area at an Intimate Yet Rousing Concert of Traditional and Original Irish and Scottish Tunes on Friday, September 28, 2012 @ 8:00 pm at Studio 55 Marin!

Hot off the trail from an August appearance at the Edmonton Folk Festival, The Paul McKenna Band makes a rare Bay Area visit. They have been hailed by The New York Times as “The best folk band to have come out of Scotland in the last twenty years”! The  Paul McKenna Band will show why they have been captivating audiences with their fresh approach to Folk and Traditional music, as well as original songs and tunes. Named “Best Up and Coming Artist of 2009′′ at the MG Alba Scots Traditional Music Awards, the Paul McKenna Band has a contemporary approach to songs. Not straying too far from their roots, their arrangements are both fresh and innovative. The exciting sound is created through outstanding vocals, driving guitar and bouzouki, intense fiddle playing, a warm pairing of flute and whistles and dynamic bodhrán and percussion.  During the evening's performance the band will play songs from their new album, titled "Stem the Tide".  The band members are: Paul McKenna on guitar/mandolin/bouzouki, Mike Vass on fiddle, Sean Gray on flute and  Ewan Baird  on bodhran/cajon/guitar.

Appearing along with them is Comas, a Traditional Irish band whose members have toured individually in top acts such as: The Drovers, Orion, Eileen Ivers, Urbantrad, Denez Prigent, and the internationally acclaimed Liz Carroll! Comas is one of Europe's most respected Celtic bands! Comas consists of Aidan Burke on fiddle, Isaac Alderson on flutes/pipes, Philip Masure on guitar and Jackie Moran on percussion. These four band members are among the most exciting musicians of their generation! Founders of The Celtic Roots Festival acclaimed Comas with the following comment- “There are many great musicians and then there are masters of their instrument...Comas are Masters...” From County Claire, Aiden Burke has won over 20 All-Ireland championships on the fiddle. Having Kevin Burke (fiddler with The Bothy Band, Patrick Street and Open House.) as a first cousin he was destined to play the fiddle and started at 8 years. From Belgium, Philip Masure’s mastery of the guitar is evident. He has become one of the most sought-after guitarists on the Celtic scene. The Breton genius Sylvain Barou is on flute, whistle, and uilleann pipes. Acclaimed by Dónal Lunny "the greatest flute player of his generation," his playing is based on the 'open' style of uilleann pipes and traveling pipers such as Paddy Keenan. Jackie Moran is considered among the world's best Celtic percussionists. Born in Thurles, County Tipperary, Jackie immigrated to Chicago with his family at the age of 10.

Come see the bands before and enjoy this joyful rousing concert before they hit the KVMR Celtic Festival stage in Grass Valley on September 29 & 30th. Irish Step Dancing & Set Dancing is encouraged during the show!