How it’s New York: Artists Without Walls (AWoW) produces multicultural showcases in and around New York City
How it’s Irish:Founded by two Irish-Americans who are proud of their heritage, but who also believe that art comes alive when all cultures interact .
Come join AWoW member, Tara O’Grady, for her A Celt in the Cotton Club CD Launch Party – Thursday, May 23 at Mary O’s, 32 Avenue A at 7:00pm. This is the third album from the New York singer-songwriter whose voice can only be described as “a Celt in the Cotton Club.” Tara O’Grady swings original songs as well as some traditional Irish tunes and re-baptizes them to sound like Billie Holiday is back!
The title of Tara’s third album comes from a bass player in Nashville who upon hearing her sing in the Tennessee recording studio, tweeted the current title to describe her voice. Her original songs were inspired by Irish people she met from Belfast to Butte, and everywhere in between.
And she throws in a few favorite Irish traditional tunes for good measure – a swinging rendition of ‘Go Lassie Go,’ a smoky version of ‘Black is the Color,’ bossa nova style, and a blues inspired ‘Too Ra Loo Ra,’ the famous Irish lullaby that in no way lulls the listener to sleep. Inspired by
Belfast native Van Morrison, her brother Tom O’Grady composed the music for ‘To Be Missing the Sun’ and ‘La Dee Da,’ and the featured saxophonist/clarinetist Michael Hashim co-wrote ‘That’s What the Miners Would Say,’ a tribute to the Irish immigrants who died in a historic fire in Butte, Montana. Tara’s Celtic connections are woven throughout every inch of this musical tapestry, including a tribute to Billie Holiday in the song ‘Gardenia Girl,’ revealing Lady Day’s Celtic bloodlines.
The band will be swinging live at Mary O’s, a favorite New York venue of Tara O’s. It’s owner, Mary O’Halloran, a Roscommon native, is one of the friendliest restauranteur’s in town. No cover, no minimum. Just music and merriment. And a signed copy of Tara’s new CD.
