Flute player Liam Kelly and accordion player Shane Mitchell were seven and nine years old when they started making music together. Within three years, the pair performed regularly at Kelly's father's pub. In high school and university they played in various bands, together with Michael Holmes (bouzouki) and later also Brain MacDonagh (mandola, mandolin). In 1988 this foursome collaborated on an
… album of music by local musicians from Sligo. The Boys Of Sligo became a great success and the four decided to form a band. Singer Cathy Jordan and violinist Shane McAleer joined and that's how Dervish (originally a term from Sufi music that refers to enlightened and ecstatic dancers) was born. In 1992, Harmony Hill appeared, which was hugely praised in the media. The second album, Playing with Fire, reached number 1 on the Irish Folk Music Charts and stayed there for several months. The band was awarded and conquered the United States. After the release of At The End of the Day, concerts in the Far East followed. Dervish gained an excellent reputation as a live band, which was confirmed by the double album Live In Palma, a recording of a concert in Palma de Mallorca in 1997. Shane McAleer left the group a year later. He was replaced by Séamus O'Dowd (guitar, violin, harmonica) and Tom Morrow (violin). Their beautiful ensemble playing can be heard on the group's fifth album, Midsummer's Night. Dervish's repertoire consists largely of traditional Irish music, but also new music from band members Kelly and Holmes. The music is highly energetic and makes the audience jump out of their seats. Peace is found in beautiful ballads and charming songs about love and life. Decade is a compilation album released on the occasion of Dervish's 10th anniversary. (CP) _more
