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No Irish group has played such an enduringly significantly role in the awareness and popularity of Celtic music than The Chieftains, largely built around the instrumental brilliance, driving ambition and infectious personality of diminutive uilleann piper Paddy Moloney. From modest beginnings helping fulfill Sean Ó Riada's vision of re-igniting traditional Irish tunes with folk instruments and classical orchestrations in the group Ceoltóirí Chualann, Moloney established the Chieftains in 1962 (taking their name from John Montague's book Death Of A Chieftain), guiding them to international acclaim and a celebrity status that has seen them collaborate with great musicians from different genres; including Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Jones, Sting, Ziggy Marley, Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello and James Galway. Their intricate arrangements and beguiling instrumental interplay soon proved seductive to mainstream audiences beyond the folk world and although the line-up changed as several members decided the life of a professional musician wasn't for them, they continued to break down musical barriers as they strove to show the parallels between Irish and various aspects of world, country, bluegrass, classical and rock music. They also provided memorable soundtracks for various films - notably Barry Lyndon - were effectively the first western group to play in China (collaborating with Chinese musicians) and played for presidents, popes and royalty. The Chieftains have recorded nearly 50 albums, the most successful of them including Irish Heartbeat (with Van Morrison, 1988), The Bells Of Dublin (1991), Long Black Veil (1995), Santiago (1996) and San Patricio (2010, with Ry Cooder). In 2012 they collaborated with younger musicians including Bon Iver and The Decemberists on the T-Bone Burnett produced Voice Of Ages, which also featured NASA astronaut Cady Coleman playing flute aboard the International Space Station.
Artist biography compiled by BDS/West 10. All rights reserved
