“It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do,” says the Boston Globe speaking of Cherish the Ladies, the Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group that formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene. Since that time, they have performed thousands of concerts and are now among the busiest and most admired Irish groups on the planet. In January of 2020, they will celebrate the incredible milestone of 35 years of touring in the finest venues around the world from ithe White House to the Olympics, and along the way recorded a staggering 17 critically acclaimed albums.
Their show is a wonderful blend of the old and the new. Irish songs, lively jigs and reels and heart-wrenching slow airs transport the listener on an enchanted musical journey. Cherish the Ladies make centuries-old music that has been passed down from generation to generation their own with tasteful new arrangements and talented renditions. Catchy newly composed melodies, almost certain to become traditional staples in their own right, are interspersed throughout the show. Each song has been carefully selected and showcases the musicality and versatility of this outstanding ensemble that includes Joanie Madden (flute, whistles, harmony vocals), Mary Coogan (guitar) Mirella Murray (accordion), Kathleen Boyle (piano, harmony vocals) and Nollaig Casey (fiddle). There are also special guests; County Clare songstress Kate Purcell, the majestic voice of Don Stiffe, world class dancing from 5-time World Champion County Kerry native David Geaney, and champion multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer, Séamus O’Flatharta from Connemara.
Under the leadership of front woman and raconteur, All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden, these ladies create an evening that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing.
The New York Times calls their music “passionate, tender, and rambunctious,” and the Washington Post praises their “astonishing array of virtuosity.” They’ve won recognition as the BBC’s Best Musical Group of the Year and named Top North American Celtic Group by both America’s National Public Radio and the Irish Music Awards, not to mention having a street named after them in the Bronx!
They’ve shared the stage with such legendary musicians as The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Chieftains, Vince Gill, Nanci Griffith, Pete Seeger, Don Henley, Arlo Guthrie, Maura O’Connell, Mary Black and even collaborated on the The Boston Pops Symphony orchestras recording, “The Celtic Album” which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Classical Crossover. They’re in constant demand in the symphony world and have become the most popular Celtic Pops act in history with over 300 performances as the featured soloists with symphony orchestras.
Cherish the Ladies level of artistic, historic, and purely enticing entertainment is unlike any in its genre. As their reputation and admiration from both fans and critics alike continues to grow, Cherish the Ladies blazes forward into another decade of music making.