Masters in Collaboration XI
Liam Ó Maonlaí Meets Cassandra Wilson

Performances
November 11 - 12 | 8 PM

$55 premium
($44 members)

$44 general
($35 members)

Conversation
Wednesday, November 9 | 7:30 PM

Audiences will be welcomed behind the scenes during an exclusive midweek conversation, moderated by Mick Moloney.

Admission: FREE

Photo Credits: Erin Baiano, Mark Seliger

Masters in Collaboration XI
Liam Ó Maonlaí Meets Cassandra Wilson

November 9 – 12

“The Irish Arts Center creates unexpected marriages” proclaimed Bill Whelan in introducing Ireland Rising, our Centenary concert celebration this past spring. Indeed one of the most magical elements of that night was the palpable chemistry between Irish folk singer Liam Ó Maonlaí and American jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson as they performed a moving duet of Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey.”

From that heart-stopping moment on April 22nd, the first meeting of these two iconic artists, it was clear there was destined to be more to the story. And so we are thrilled to bring Liam and Cassandra together for a week of more musical magic in the eleventh installment of our Masters in Collaboration Series.

Join us to discover what beautiful musical rewards this very special collaboration will bring.

Launched in 2008 with Paul Brady and Sarah Siskind, Masters in Collaboration brings artists together in those “unexpected marriages” to stimulate creativity, reward risk, and awaken a dynamic musical conversation between Ireland and the United States.

Liam Ó Maonlaí is one of Ireland’s best-loved musicians and singers, both in rock and traditional music. Spanning over twenty years Liam’s career has seen him have number one hits in over twenty countries, to playing with Aboriginal musicians in Australia outback and recording with some of the world’s best musicians including Carlos Nunes, Donal Luney, U2, Rolf Harris, Van Morrison to name but a few. A master pianist, Liam also performs on guitar, harp, tin whistle and bodhrán. Bono once described Liam as “the best white boy soul singer in the world” and he has also been described as one of Ireland’s best sean-nós singers.

“Eminent…exquisite…clever, insightful, and…strikingly original.” – Jazz Times

Cassandra Wilson is an American jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi. Described by critic Gary Giddins as "a singer blessed with an unmistakable timbre and attack who has expanded the playing field" by incorporating blues, country and folk music into her work. In 2015, Cassandra Wilson joined forces with the prestigious label, Legacy, a subsidiary of Sony Music. Her latest project, Coming Forth By Day, was released on the 100th anniversary of Billie Holiday's birth (April 7, 2015). She also received the Irish Arts Center Spirit of Ireland Award in 2015.