Nuala Kennedy, who lives in Scotland, is a traditional Irish musician, a flute player and singer. Noble Stranger (Compass), her third solo album, is a collection of original and traditional songs recorded in Scotland with her band Mike Bryan on guitar, Ian Macleod on mandolin, and Donald Hays on drums. Traditional songs such as ‘My Bonny Labouring Boy’ and ‘Matt Hyland’ are combined with new material such as the opening track ‘Gabriel Sings’ which was inspired by a vintage Casio keyboard given to Kennedy by Norman Blake of the Glasgow band Teenage Fanclub.

Kennedy grew up playing and singing traditional music in Dundalk. She went on to study at the Edinburgh College of Art, mentored by fellow Irish expatriate Cathal McConnell.  She holds a masters degree in music performance and composition from Newcastle University.

She formed her first trio with Lau guitarist Kris Drever and fiddler Anna-Wendy Stevenson, and released two critically acclaimed albums. Her first two solo albums, The New Shoes and Tune In, were released through Nashville-based roots music company Compass Records Group. She has since performed and recorded with Will Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy), Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Norwegian musicians Frode Haltli and Vegar Vårdal as well as the late Canadian composer Oliver Schroer. Kennedy is also a member of the traditional music group Oirialla performing with Gerry O’Connor and Martin Quinn.

The European tour is with Donald Hay (percussion), Mike Bryan (guitar), Iain Macleod (mandolin), and AJ Roach (Guest Vocals).

1-2 Aug - Douglas Robertson’s Amazing Loft House Concert Series at No.42. Edinburgh, Scotland
03 Aug - Whelan’s - Dublin Ireland
04 Aug - The Spirit Store - Dundalk
05 Aug - The Black Box - Belfast
23 Aug - The Green Note - London
28 Aug - Dunkeld Village Hall
31 Aug - Centre for Contemporary Arts – Glasgow, Scotland

The north American tour is with Kyle Sanna (guitar) and Dana Lyn (fiddle).

www.nualakennedy.com.