Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 5:00pm

Music Network announces Autumn Season 2010

Music Network have announced the season line-up for its Autumn Season 2010, which includes a visit to Mullingar Arts Centre on September 23.

It will feature an outstanding roster of Irish and international artists providing a fantastic opportunity to experience the very best in international chamber, traditional and jazz.

In ancient folklore, three is a magic number, and you can expect the combined talents of Matt Cranitch, Jackie Daly and John Faulkner to let loose the Sliabh Luachra genie from the bottle.

There's clearly some 'draíocht' in the waters of the upper Blackwater as this mountainous region on the borders of northwest Cork and east Kerry is renowned for its unique repertoire of slides and polkas as well as its very distinctive style of playing. Though Jackie and Matt are both steeped in the rich musical traditions of Sliabh Luachra, this collaboration with singer John Faulkner is very much a celebration of the here and now, the "living stream" of Irish music.

An acclaimed songwriter and composer, John is a heartfelt performer who has traded lines with the likes of Ewan MacColl, Dolores Keane, Arty McGlynn and John Prine. Button accordion wizard Jackie needs little introduction to trad fans, and his work with legendary groups such as De Danann, Patrick Street, Arcady and Kinvara is testament to his versatility. Former Fleadh Cheoil winner and master fiddler Matt Cranitch is a founder member of the group Sliabh Notes, as well as a highly respected authority on and teacher of Irish traditional music. Describing what's on offer, Music Network CEO Deirdre McCrea explains, "Our Autumn Season 2010 is very much a celebration of home-grown talent, with a sprinkling of overseas stars thrown in for good measure! We kick off the new season with a spell-binding session that delves into the musical trove of the Sliabh Luachra region, with squeezebox maestro Jackie Daly and famed fiddler Matt Cranitch joined by the much-lauded singer and composer John Faulkner. Then it's time for a blast from the future as Irish pianist Greg Felton's much-admired jazz trio team up with Swiss sensation Isa Wiss, a natural-born improviser blessed with a truly astonishing voice."