Trad trio at Matt Molloy's features Stockton's Wing founder

AFTER a three-year absence, Stockton's Wing founder Maurice Lennon is returning to Mayo, with a performance in Matt Molloy's in Westport on Thursday, January 18, with Ciara Brennan and Chris Dawson. Doors at 8 p.m.

An inherently musical trio, Lennon, Brennan and Dawson combine their musical and performance experience, resulting in a very dynamic and diverse repertoire of traditional and newly composed music.

Maurice, of course, needs no introduction as, a founding member of Stockton's Wing, one of Ireland's leading fiddle players and the creator of innumerable, well-known compositions.

Ciara and Chris, having performed, composed and recorded intensely together over recent years, had already become well acquainted and connected as a duet.

Having played together for Maurice’s Brian Boru suite, Maurice and Ciara have also recently reconnected after many years. Two very different violin players with different styles and backgrounds have found a deep understanding and expression of the tradition between them that creates a natural 'oneness' when they play together. This, along with Chris, originally from the Manchester area traditional music scene, meant it became a natural progression for them to combine their forces.

This project features compositions from Maurice as well as compositions from Ciara and Chris, along with music from the Irish, Swedish and the Northern English folk traditions. With a profound respect for each other, their musical intimacy and connection can be seen and felt by all who see and hear them perform together.

Since ending his long-time love affair with 'The Wing', Maurice Lennon has continued playing as a solo musician as well as performing and touring with Finbar Furey and Sean Keane. He has also been concentrating on his first real love of composing music and writing lyrics.

Performance is still a very integral part of his music and the next few years will see Maurice open more new doors, continue to entertain, and, above all, touch people with what surely is a gift.