Grammy-winning CELTIC SOLSTICE was born from the creative interplay of Irish and American musicians in a contemporary celebration of the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year within the magnificent space of the world’s largest gothic cathedral, New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Credits

– Soprano sax, Paul Winter
– Renowned Uilleann piper Davy Spillane, of the original ‘Riverdance’ cast
– Fiddler Eileen Ivers, an original and current ‘Riverdance’ soloist
– Vocalist Karan Casey, from the band ‘Solas’
– Whistle-player and flutist Joanie Madden, founder of the group ‘Cherish the Ladies’
– Piper Jerry O’Sullivan
– Paul Winter Consort members Paul Halley on pipe organ and piano, along with percussionist Jamey Haddad
– Zan McLeod on guitar
– Carol Thompson on Celtic harp and Welsh triple harp
– Austin McGrath on bodhran
– South African bassist Bakithi Kumalo, featured with Paul Simon for many years since playing on Simon’s GRACELAND album

Reviews

“From the opening notes of Winter’s soprano echoing in that reverberant space on “Triumph,” it’s clear this isn’t your typical contemporary Celtic album. Winter is joined by organist Paul Halley and Irish uilleann piper Davy Spillane, and it’s an impassioned, intuitive improvisation that swirls in echoing harmonies that lift to the cathedral’s ceiling. And that’s just the first track. Winter has put together a series of solos, trios, and larger ensemble pieces that work a similar magic. He’s joined by singer Karan Casey from the group Solas on the serene “Golden Apples of the Moon.” Tin whistle player and flutist Joanie Madden from Cherish the Ladies offers one of her loveliest compositions, “Running Through the Woods with Keetu,” named for Winter’s daughter. But Celtic Solstice isn’t all serene evocations of the Celtic Spirit. Riverdance fiddler Eileen Ivers, harpist Carol Thompson, and uilleann piper Jerry O’ Sullivan join a full ensemble of Irish, African, and South American percussion on “My Fair and Faithful Love/Blarney Pilgrim,” which slow-builds to a full Irish stomp. Paul Winter has tapped into the communal nature of Irish music. It’s the same spirit he takes from his jazz background. When he joins the pipes and whistles in dizzying improvisations or contemplative ruminations, there’s a sense of shared exploration that takes you with him.”

– John Diliberto

“A musical journeyman who has composed, recorded and performed authoritatively in genres ranging from  bossa nova to new age, Paul Winter assembles a group of talented musicians to join him in a celebration of Celtic music – another style he has explored extensively over the years, … . Material ranges from new originals written by Winter, Spillane, Halley, Madden, and others to new arrangements of traditional Celtic tunes, including “Golden Apples of the Sun,” a musical adaptation of W.B. Yeats’ poem “The Song of Wandering Aengus.” A wonderfully produced and uplifting album.”

– Billboard – spotlight review