Dervish

Ireland's County Sligo is becoming well-known just for producing this traditional Irish sextet. The group has toured extensively throughout Europe and the U.S., and, as reported in last September's Billboard, "Dervish's sound and image belie its rapidly rising international profile." Believe it or not, they are staunch traditionalists.

The core of the group is formed by virtuoso instrumentalists: Shane McAleer, on fiddle (a former all-Ireland fiddle champion); Liam Kelly, on flute; Shane Mitchell, on button accordion; Michael Holmes, bouzouki player and Brian McDonagh, on mandola and guitar. Cathy Jordan sings in Irish and English and provides spot percussion.

The band has also been described as the heir to the Bothy Band's mantle in traditional Irish music.