We Banjo 3

A spirited “Celt-grass” family band from Galway, Ireland, We Banjo 3 delivers a crowd-pleasing fusion of traditional Irish music, Celtic Bluegrass and Americana that continues to reach freshly dizzying heights.

“It’s as if the Punch Brothers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and the Chieftans all got together for a battle of the bands but decided to pool their resources instead. The future of World music has arrived. –Elmore Magazine

One of the best live acts to come out of Ireland in recent years, the multi-award winning We Banjo 3 combine supergroup credentials with a breath-taking command of the emotive power of fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo. Any single member of this group could a electrify a venue with a solo performance, but together, in the joyous musical alchemy of We Banjo 3, the result is truly unforgettable. Simply put, the gold standard of Irish and American Roots music.

The essence of We Banjo 3’s mastery and ultimately the secret of their staggering artistic power, is their uncanny ability to channel the playful and celebratory dimensions of traditional Irish and American music. They write and perform with emotion, with incalculable brio and inventiveness, with power and subtlety and intelligence. But most of all, these four brothers write and play bravely. It is as if their standing as one of the best bands of their generation – and indeed as if the widely expressed opinion that their emergence represents a bright future for Irish music – was nothing when compared to the spirit of the tunes.

David Howley (lead vocals, guitar) is a front man of extraordinary presence and emotive range, oft compared to a young Bruce Springsteen, magnetically connecting with audiences. David has forged a unique guitar style and counts guitar legends such as Tommy Emmanuel, Tim Edey and J.P. Cormier amongst his fans. Fergal Scahill (fiddle, percussion, vocals) who enjoys an iconic standing in Ireland for both fiddle and bodhrán, is a national champion many times over on a swathe of different instruments and is also a tireless collaborator whose many musical projects have left a harmonious international footprint. Fergal has created a unique online repository of Irish music excellence with his popular Tune-a-Day which has garnered millions of online views worldwide. Martin Howley (tenor banjo, mandolin, vocals) is a seven-time all-Ireland banjo champion and a performer of unique energies, who is credited with pioneering many new techniques on both banjo and mandolin and holds the distinction of being the first Irish musician to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Enda Scahill (tenor banjo, vocals) a widely renowned master of Irish banjo, has recorded with Ricky Skaggs, the Chieftains and many others; he is also an author acknowledged as one of the leading authorities on Irish banjo techniques. Enda has forged a path for Irish banjo that weaves through many sympathetic music cultures.

If you or a member of your party is in need of assistance please notify SOPAC at the time your tickets are purchased. The SOPAC Box Office can be reached at (973) 313-2787.