Violinist Puts a Colorful Spin on Her Irish Roots

Eileen Ivers is best known as the fiery violinist with the hit show “Riverdance.” Her most impressive accomplishment, however, is the manner in which she has begun to transform Irish music, adding elements that have brought it well beyond its traditional roots.

On Saturday at UCLA’s Ostin Hall, she offered a stunning program of music, maintaining the flow, the spirit and the essence of her Irish roots, while allowing the sounds to blossom in a colorful array of settings ranging from Ireland to the Caribbean, Spain, Cuba and into the blues.

Leading a six-piece ensemble, with the added presence of dancer Tarik Winston and a group of colorfully garbed young step dancers, Ivers ripped through her program with a drive that triggered almost constant audience hand-clapping and cheers.

Irish jigs started with a bright traditional buoyancy only to suddenly erupt with rhythm as drummer Emedin Rivera added an undercurrent of conga drums, bassist Leo Traversa snapped out crisp accents and guitarist John Doyle delivered high-voltage strumming.

On other numbers, Ivers’ violin and the pipes of Jerry O’Sullivan combined to produce passionate keening melodies, occasionally framed with bird-like whistles and percussion sounds from Rivera.

Singer Tommy McDonnell, from the Blues Brothers Band, added big-toned vocals, passionately so in “Black Is the Color,” pulling the audience into a shared sing-along with “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” No wonder the audience loved every minute. More than a survey of Irish tradition, Ivers’ presentation was music with the kind of life and spirit that can come when talented artists from different backgrounds find the linkages that connect all forms of music.