'A MAESTRO COMES TO TOWN'

Few musicians in any field or in any generation achieve a position where both audience and experts agree on their pre-eminence and mastery of their chosen instrument. Noel Hill is the undisputed Master of the Irish Concertina. His technique and virtuosity has firmly established him as this instrument's greatest exponent and all of his music is animated by a deep understanding of the Irish Folk Music Tradition.

As an artist he transcends the boundaries of his received musical heritage, extending its range and sheer musical achievement beyond all previous plateaus of virtuosity, an artist who breeds new life and vitality into the tradition whilst at the same time remaining one of its seminal and defining voices. A voice, a music of a people, of secret and special places, of times past, of nationhood, of emotions and dreams that remain timeless and uncorruptable.

Noel Hill comes from County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. His music resonates with the rugged beauty which characterises the traditions and culture of that region. The soft Clare accent, images of the country house dances of long ago and the magic of the well travelled storyteller of bye-gone times all meld and find expression in his unique style and approach to music which has been hailed by the great masters and teachers of the tradition since childhood.

He has performed throughout Ireland, Europe, America and Canada, taking the humble Concertina across the world from Beijing to London's Albert Hall, from Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens to Melbourne and from Hong Kong to San Francisco Bay.

His Album "The Irish Concertina" is considered the definitive Concertina Album whilst his Albums with Tony MacMahon, Tony Linnane and Iarla O Lionnard are among the most sought after Traditional Irish Music recordings of our time.

He has played and recorded with such luminaries as Christy Moore, Paul Brady and Planxty as well as having appeared on countless radio and television programmes.

Noel Hill continues to enjoy worldwide demand and respect as a pioneering and crusading innovator in the development of that unique instrument - The Irish Concertina.

His performance on stage is now legendary

Quotes;

... Ireland's greatest Concertina player ~ Seamus Ennis, piper, singer, broadcaster.

....... Noel Hill's fame preceedes him in the form of Albums and broadcasts that serve as a forum for his talents ~ The New York Times.

..... Noel Hill pushes the possibilities for our music beyond all expectation. What better thing than this could be said of a musician . ~Tony MacMahon, Musician, T.V. producer/ broadcaster.

….There is little doubt that in music there is a special place for the Concertina when so brilliantly executed by Noel Hill ~ The Irish Times.

..... Ireland is full of great musicians but only a few set standards ~ P. T. Curtis. 'Notes from the Heart'

Noel Hill Discography

Mairead Ni Dhomhnaill " Mairead Ni Dhomhnaill" Gael Linn (CEF 055)

Noel Hill "The 4th. Irish Folk Festival " (Intercord INT. 180.038)

Christy Moore "The Iron Behind the Velvet" Tara Records (Tara 2002)

Paul Brady "Welcome here kind stranger'7 Mulligan Records (Lun. 024) (Green Linnet Records SIF 3015)

Noel Hill "The Green Fields of America" (C.C.E. DL 19)

Noel Hill and Tony Linnane ~ Tara Records (Tara 2006)

Mick Hanly " As I Went Over Blackwater Mulligan Records (Lun. 040)

Noel Hill " H Block Various Artists 1981 (HB LP 001)

Christy Moore "At the Abbey Tavern" Tara Records/ R.T.E. (R. T. E. 059)

Noel Hill and Tony MacMahon " I gCnoc na Grai" Gael Linn(Gael Linn CEF 114)

Noel Hill "The Irish Concertina" Claddagh Records (Claddagh CCF 21)

Noel Hill, Tony MacMahon and Iarla O Lionnard "Aislingi Ceoil - The Music of Dreams" Gael Linn(Gael Linn CEF 164)