Natalie Macmaster, Donnell Leahy & The Celtic All-Stars Coming to Jorgensen Center March 6

Canada’s Celtic fiddle superstars Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy return to Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts at UConn with some of the world’s true Celtic all-stars on Friday, March 6 at 8 p.m.

The showcase of worldclass musicians from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and beyond will explore the deep connections between Celtic traditions across nations, tracing the music’s ancient roots to its vibrant modern evolution. MacMaster and Donnell last performed in Storrs in 2023 with their children in “The Celtic Family Christmas” show.

Joining them on stage at Jorgensen is a lineup of special guests including vocalist Karen Matheson of Capercaillie, four-time All-Ireland Champion banjo player Enda Scahill (who performed at Jorgensen in 2019 with We Banjo 3), critically acclaimed Scottish piper Ross Ainslie, and Natalie and Donnell's multi-talented daughter, Mary Frances.

“Being so anchored in Celtic music we had a passion in highlighting it and putting it on a wider stage to a wider audience,” MacMaster says about the idea for the All-Star tour. “We thought, let's gather some great musicians, play with them and get on a bigger stage and elevate that music and the culture of it.”

MacMaster and Leahy have each won multiple JUNO Awards and sold out more than 1,000 shows in North America. Their combined careers have seen them record with a star-studded list of collaborators including Yo-Yo Ma, Micheal McDonald, Allison Krauss, Thomas Dolby, The Rankin Family, Rhiannon Giddens, Johnny Reid, Nickelback, among others. Each has found time to tour and perform with some of the biggest names in music including The Chieftains, Faith Hill, Carlos Santana, Don Henley, Béla Fleck.

In addition to her work with Capercaillie, Matheson has released four acclaimed solo albums and has been involved in various profile projects of collaboration worldwide, including the award-winning BBC series Transatlantic Sessions, on which she performed and filmed tracks with James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, The McGarrigle Sisters, Nanci Griffith, and a host of respected Scottish musicians. 

Scahill is a four-time All-Ireland Champion and is the founder of the band We Banjo 3. He has been a member of The Brock McGuire Band and performed with The Fureys, Frankie Gavin,  and The Chieftains. In 2024, he performed across several major Irish festivals in the United States with the Italian American band Gadan.

Ainslie is one of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians and composers, playing pipes, whistles and cittern. He is renowned for his highly acclaimed solo material, and as a skilled performer and prolific collaborator who performs regularly with Scotland’s most respected musicians and bands.

Mary Frances Leahy has showcased her genre-defying fiddling (and piano) with her parents in more than 600 shows and recorded her debut solo album “First Light.” The innovative, eclectic nine-track collection of originals, co-produced by Mary Frances and Cuban guitarist Elmer Ferrer, is a blending of Celtic, Latin, and jazz influences.

TICKETS, BOX OFFICE, AND OTHER INFORMATION:

Tickets for this concert are $50-$45. Tickets can be purchased on the Jorgensen website, jorgensen.uconn.edu. Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is located at 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs. The Box Office is open Mon – Fri, 10 am to 5 pm. For questions and assistance, email jorgensen.tickets@uconn.edu or call 860-486-4226.  Ample parking is available in North Garage near Jorgensen. The cost of parking is included in the price of a ticket (North Garage only). (Note: all artists, events, dates, programs, and policies are subject to change.)

MEDIA SPONSORS:

Big 100.9, Connecticut Magazine, CT Insider, CT Public, Hartford Courant

PUBLICITY PHOTOS:  MacMaster & Leahy Photos for Press

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