The newest member of IONA joining in 2009, Martin’s uilleann piping has taken him throughout Europe and the UK, India, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada, from the Lincoln Center for the Arts in New York to the national theatres of Ireland and England and concert halls across the Indian subcontinent.

Respected in the Irish traditional scene, he has also played alongside jazz greats such as Dave Liebman, the late Michael Brecker, Ronan Guilfoyle, Conor Guilfoyle, Tommy Halferty, Michael Buckley and the Boclé Brothers. Other collaborative work includes virtuoso Hungarian violinist Zoltan Lantos and Japanese performance artist Keiji Heino.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, it was here Martin took his first lessons from John Keenan Sr, the father of well-known piper Paddy Keenan. Martin’s playing is strongly influenced by the ‘travelling style’ of piping, which employs legato and staccato techniques, elements which are heard to great effect in his playing.

‘Martin Nolan’s pipes… caught the eddies, ducking and diving alongside the jazz lines with nervy agility… The wedding of sax and pipes was particularly spectacular. ‘
Irish Times (review of Michael Buckley’s Translations)

‘Martin Nolan is a noted piper and composer whose openness and receptiveness to new ideas has taken him and his pipes around the world.’
The Sunday Tribune (Dublin)

‘Well versed in the tradition of his instrument, Martin is constantly expanding its repertoire by playing in unusual contexts.’
The Event Guide (Dublin)

 

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