The American vocalist Bobby McFerrin — known for his polyphonic vocal technique and ability to switch rapidly between vocal registers — will perform in Dublin on 6 and 7 March. Last December, Irish musicians were invited to apply to perform with McFerrin through a video audition process.

The final list of performers who will appear with McFerrin was announced this week. Over the two concerts, McFerrin will perform with ten different Ireland-based musicians and groups, including Kate Ellis (cello), Robbie Harris (bodhrán, bones), the JPTrio (banjo, accordion, cajón), Emer Mayock (flute, whistle, uilleann pipes), Úna Ní Fhlannagáin (harp), Nick Roth (soprano saxophone, flutes), John Sweeney (guitar) and Francesco Turrisi (piano, accordion, percussion). The performers also include two dancers, Cindy Cummings and Máire Dee.

McFerrin will work with each group of performers on the day of the performance to ‘create structures for improvisation and an atmosphere that invites the unexpected’. The groups of guest musicians are different on both nights, with some musicians — Ellis, Harris, Mayock and Turrisi — appearing twice.

newschool.ie