If you judge her by the company she keeps, then Maura O’Connell is one of the most sought-after Celtic singers performing today.
An Irish upbringing followed by an immersion in the Nashville music scene forged a unique singing style for O’Connell. She and her special guest, guitarist John Mock, will play tonight at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.
O’Connell began her professional career as a vocalist for the traditional Celtic group De Dannan. While in Dublin, and on later trips to Nashville, she met a series of leading acoustic players, including Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, Tim O’Brien and Jerry Douglas.
And there must be something genuine about O’Connell’s Irish roots. In 2002, Martin Scorsese cast her as an Irish immigrant street singer in his film “The Gangs of New York.” She also has collaborated with Celtic, folk, pop and country artists including Shawn Colvin, Van Morrison and Dolly Parton and picked up two Grammy nominations along the way.
Mock draws inspiration for his music and his art from the sea and its coasts. He shares this heritage through his unique presentation of original instrumental compositions on the guitar, concertina, mandolin and tin whistle combined with his own photographs.
The Connecticut native will take the Concert Hall stage with O’Connell as her guitarist. He is also known for his classical arrangements, which have been performed by the London Symphony, the symphonies of Atlanta and Nashville and others.
ted@durangoherald.com
If you go
Maura O’Connell, with guest John Mock, will perform at 7 p.m. today at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Tickets cost $24 for orchestra, $29 for plaza level seating, available by phone at 247-7657, online at www.durangoconcerts.com or at the Welcome Center at Eighth Street and Main Avenue.
