Having just returned from five weeks of performances overseas, Lisa Murphy and her band are set to make their debut in Ireland at the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh on Saturday, May 24.
The band brings classic tunes and songs alive with their energetic performance, blending traditional Irish music with a contemporary feel and instrumentation.
The group, which is based in Kerry, consists of Lisa and box player Patrick Howell, from Fivemiletown, who have been playing music together since they were ten years old. Being pupils of the late Sean Nugent, they competed successfully for years as duet partners in fleadhs before taking to the stage professsionally with shows such as Dearbhail Finnegan and Friends, Celtic Isle Celebrations and Feet of Fire.
Lisa was born and raised in Fintona and grew up listening to folk and traditional music. Coming from a musical family, she began playing the tin whistle and singing at a young age. She was active in many traditional music and classical singing projects and events inside and outside of her school life.
Having studied musical theatre in England, she returned home in 2002 and successfully auditioned for the Irish dance show Rhythm of the Dance and embarked on her first world tour.
Using her folk, traditional and musical theatre backgrounds, she took to the stage as lead vocalist and musician. She went on to perform in almost 30 countries worldwide with other criticlly acclaimed shows including Gaelforce Dance (Asia), Spirit of Ireland (Europe), Dance of Desire (world tour), Celtic Isle Celebrations (USA) and most recently Feet of Fire (USA). Earlier this year Lisa recorded her self titled solo album.
Other members of her band include guitar player Sean Leahy, from Dingle, who has performed with bands such as Nuada, Créda, Cora and the Breda Smyth Band, Sliabh Notes and A Dog Called Rizla. Drummer Tom Canning, also living in Dingle, is originally from Connecticut and has been performing for years with bands in the USA. Jeremy Spencer, a fiddler from Killarney, is a seasoned session player and is currently performing with the Liam O'Connor show.
Piano player Anthony Davis, from Birmingham, is a talented musical composer and arranger, and has been involved in arranging, recording and performing music at all major Irish dance competitions in Ireland, the UK and America.
The evening will be complimented with supporting performances by renowned harper Dearbhail Finnegan, and Omagh born singer/songwriter Chrisy McCullagh.
