Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Dempsey’s Weekly Trad Seisiun
See the Dempsey’s Irish Traditional Music Session page on facebook for updates.

special guest musician:
Heather Bixler

8pm
at:

Dempsey’s Pub
61 E. Second Ave. (between 3rd & 4th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 388-0662
DempseysPub.com

Heather’s Bio:
Heather Martin Bixler is a classical violinist and Irish fiddler whose playing has taken her all over North America, Europe, and Asia. A graduate of The Juilliard school, she has performed in many major concert halls including Musikverein in Vienna, Carnegie Hall in New York, as well as concert halls in Tokyo, Barcelona, and Mexico City to name a few. In addition, Heather has appeared on such singers’ videos as Maria Carey, Shania Twain, Jewel, and Donna Summer.

Heather’s fascination with traditional Irish music led her to work with fiddler Brian Conway. In 2006 Heather won the third medal for the senior slow airs at the All-Ireland fleadh in Donegal, Ireland. She is in demand as a performer and teacher of Irish music at various festivals throughout the United States, Canada, and Ireland. Heather performs regularly with musicians such as Brian Conway, Felix Dolan, and Jimmy Crowley, as well as being the guest on several prominent Irish musicians’ solo recordings.

Heather has recorded and performed with Grammy award winner Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra with which she soloed at Symphony Space in New York and recorded on their most recent CD that is set to be released this fall. As an arranger, Heather received attention from Northern Irish song writer Tommy Sands for her combination of Protestant hymns and traditional Irish tunes. Her interview by him on Downtown Radio in Belfast discussed the political statements made by these compositions. Heather also created an unusual combination of Irish music accompanied by symphony orchestra, which she performed as guest soloist with Garden State Philharmonic in Toms River, NJ, Chelsea Symphony in New York City, and South Dakota Symphony in Sioux Falls, SD. The Irish Concerto imitates the form of Vivaldi’s “Spring” from the Four Seasons with three movements and a classical symphonic accompaniment.

Heather can be heard most prominently in a new CD called “Auction Project” on the Zoho Record label which merges traditional Irish tunes with jazz. This Grammy-nominated recording has, upon its recent release, been praised by critics for its innovation and excellence in its emotional content and technical display. Currently, Heather resides in New York City.