Grada
- Genre
- World | Celtic
- Country
- Ireland
biography
Gráda is one of Ireland's most successful bands, performing over 150 concerts annually at major festivals and venues across the globe. These have included Dublin`s National Concert Hall, The National Geographic Headquarters in Washington DC, The Royal Glasgow Concert Hall and the Sydney Opera House. The group (founded in 2001) have a sound deeply rooted in the Irish tradition, but also layered with jazzy tones and strong rhythmic grooves. Think Irish music that"s off the beaten track, blended with Americana, jazz, roots, and a diverse range of influences that, in the words of the Irish Times, "come together as if they were lifelong bedfellows".Gráda have released three critically acclaimed CDs to date and will be recording their fourth in Nashville later this year with bluegrass Grammy Award winning icon and producer Tim O`Brien.As 2009 commenced, Gráda had played in 26 different countries, including over 30 states in America. They are signed to American label, Compass Records.
"Gráda is to Irish music what Arcade Fire is to Indie - informal, prodigious and full of spirit." (The Washington Post)
About Gráda's musicians:Nicola Joyce (vocals, bodhrán). Joyce is a magnificent vocalist who sings with sheer beauty and poignancy. She hails from Galway, in the west of Ireland and learnt to sing from a young age in the Irish tradition.Gerry Paul (guitar, banjo, vocals). Gerry has spent half his life living in New Zealand. Over the past year he has played, recorded and performed with Gerry O`Connor and Sharon Shannon. He is also well regarded in the bluegrass scene, where he plays with bluegrass icon Tim O`Brien, among others. Andrew Laking (double bass, vocals, guitar). Born in New Zealand, Andrew comes from a varied musical background, including jazz, Latin, folk and gypsy styles. He is in big demand as a session musician, having recorded for Bill Whelan, Fionn Regan and Gerry O`Connor.David Doocey (fiddle, concertina, whistle). David is at the forefront of the younger generation of Irish traditional musicians, having won several All Ireland awards on concertina and fiddle.Stephen Doherty (flute, whistle, melodeon, piano, bodhrán). Stephen is the current All Ireland senior flute champion and award winning melodeon and bodhrán player.forthcoming dates
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