Celtic Christmas show featuring Eileen Ivers coming to Columbia Theatre

By Tom Paulu / The Daily News The Daily News Online | Posted: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 9:00 pm

Eileen Ivers, who grew up in the Bronx, often plays a blue, electric violin during her concerts. The New York Times once called her "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin."

It might seem like an atypical accolade for Irish music, but Ivers promises traditional Irish ballads — along with jazz and bluegrass — when she brings her Celtic Christmas music to the Columbia Theatre.

The Sunday show is called "An Nollaig," which means "Christmas time" in Gaelic.

Ivers and her band will do "really old Irish carols which might not be familiar to American audiences," she said.

She'll talk about Irish traditions like St. Stephen's Day, also known as Wren Day, which falls on Dec. 26. A musical medley is based on that holiday.

"There's such a wealth of beautiful Irish songs that really focus on the meaning of this time of year," Ivers said.

Songs are "about family and being together," which she called "a big part of an Irish Christmas."

Her genres sail around the world, however. The show includes a number by J.S. Bach, the bluegrassy "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and the "Hallelujah Chorus."

They'll end the show with the jazzy music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by Vince Guaraldi.

Ivers, who has a New York accent, calls herself "a proud Irish-American;" both her parents immigrated from County Mayo, Ireland.

Ivers learned fiddle from an Irish-born teacher in the Bronx. As a girl, she started competing in fiddle competitions in Ireland; she eventually won the All-Ireland fiddle championship nine times.

"There was a time when a lot of (Irish) purists were very guarded with the music," she said. "They were a bit surprised by the fact that an American-born person could win in Ireland."

By now, Irish audiences have warmed to musicians like her, she said. "They're so proud of the diaspora that went out and took the music with them."

After getting a math degree in college, Ivers veered away from Irish music. She toured in Hall & Oates' band and picked up the blue electric violin, which she runs through a wa-wa peddle just like rock guitarists use for special effects. That brought the Jimi Hendrix comparison.

One reviewer described her show this way: "Decidedly not a purist, Ivers dives and weaves during solos, knocking out rapid lines like a blazing guitarist, her own personal style owing a bit to blues and rock in addition to Irish jigs."

Ivers' band is made up of four experience musicians in a variety of styles:

• Tommy McDonald, another native of the Bronx, who plays percussion and sings. He's played with Eric Clapton and was in the original Blues Brothers band with Dan Ackroyd.

• Greg Anderson of New York on acoustic guitar and bouzouki. He has played in numerous folk and traditional music groups.

• Buddy Connolly on accordion, whistle and keyboards. The Newark musician is a three-time All-Ireland accordion champion.

• Bassist Leo Traversa is a native New Yorker who's been active in the world music scene.

Joining Ivers' band on stage for four songs will be the Columbian Choral Ensemble, a local choir. The Comerford Irish Dancers from Portland will also perform.