Celtic Series '26: Tom, Paddy & Adam
Thursday April 1 @7pm
April begins at full speed when Tom Callister, Paddy Callaghan and Adam Rhodes bring fiddle, accordion and bouzouki to the Cultural Center on Thursday, April 1.
The trio draws from three closely related but distinct musical traditions: the Isle of Man, Scotland and Ireland.
Tom Callister, on fiddle, and Adam Rhodes, on bouzouki, come from the Isle of Man and are internationally known through projects including Mec Lir and Ímar. Their Manx musical background adds an important dimension to a Celtic Series that often visits Ireland and Scotland but less frequently explores the culture of the small island located between them.
The Isle of Man has its own Celtic language, Manx Gaelic, and a distinctive body of traditional music that has experienced a major cultural revival in recent decades.
Joining Callister and Rhodes is Glasgow-based accordionist Paddy Callaghan, a former BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. His driving accordion playing brings the unmistakable energy of Scotland’s traditional dance music scene to the trio.
Together, the three musicians create an impressive amount of sound.
Callister’s fiddle carries melodies at full tilt, Callaghan’s accordion provides both melody and rhythmic power, and Rhodes’ bouzouki gives the music a propulsive harmonic foundation.
The result is traditional music played with contemporary energy. These musicians know the repertoire well enough to stretch it, rearrange it and take risks without losing the qualities that made the tunes survive across generations.
Expect fast-moving sets, tight ensemble playing, rhythmic surprises and enough musical momentum to launch the Celtic Series into its spring finale.