Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org

Sun, Oct 26th, 2008 - 7:00 PM

"Brilliant, passionate vocalist... "
Dara Records, New York City, October 2002.

"...a perfect 10..." The Irish Herald, November 2004

The Irish Cultural Centerwelcomes the great Irish folk-singer Ken O' Malley. Born and raised in Dublin City, Ken O' Malley is regarded as one of the leading Irish folk singer/songwriters in the United States today. By the time he was 14 he was playing in coffeehouses in Dublin's vibrant traditional music scene and at 15 he opened for legendary balladeer Paddy Reilly at the equally legendary Old Sheiling.

Dublin born singer-songwriter Ken O’Malley will be the featured performer on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Irish Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix, In this captivating solo show, O’Malley will transport his audience to his beloved Ireland with his rich, resonant voice and engaging stage presence accompanied by his remarkable talent on guitar and mandolin. The University of St. Thomas at Houston pronounces that Ken O'Malley is "widely regarded as the finest Irish folk singer/songwriter in the United States today" and the Irish News calls this consummate entertainer "without question, . . .the single most enduring, influential and proficient of all Irish musicians in Southern California . . ."

The event promises to be a magical evening of music with songs in both English and Irish Gaelic, suitable for all ages. Not just a singer, about whom Dave Soyars of the Irish Herald writes "his powerful and emotive voice shines through on everything he does", O’Malley is also a cultural ambassador and educator who infuses every performance with a genuine passion and love for his native land and its people. As longtime fan Mark Dresser says "the songs Ken sings touch all of us, Irish or not, to the very core of the human heart".

Admission to the event is $10. Showtime is 7:00 PM on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix, AZ. For more information, contact the Center at 602-258-0109 or online at www.azirish.org

He has performed with The Chieftains, Paul Brady, The Wolf Tones, Lunasa, Solas, Mary Black and Gaelic Storm to name a few, and has led his well-known band The Twilight Lords in two recordings, The White Seahorse and Women of Ireland. He was commissioned by Turner Pictures to compose an original song, “The Roses and the Rye for the CD accompanying the movie Gods and Generals, the sequel to Gettysburg. Ken is the narrator for FritzFilms' Joyce to the World, a one-hour long documentary on Ulysses and its author James Joyce, featuring Brian Dennehy, Finoula Flanagan, Frank McCourt and Malachy McCourt. He sang in the Paramount Pictures movie Patriot Games, coached Irish actor Pierce Brosnan for his singing debut in the movie Evelyn and, most recently, recorded the 17th century Irish ballad “Eamon an Chnoic” (Ned of the Hill) for National Geographic's CD recording Romance Around the World, a collection of twelve international love songs. In August '04 Ken performed at the John Anson Ford Theatre in Los Angeles with Solas and again at the Ford in September '05 with Gaelic Storm. He most recently starred in Kerry Records production of A Grand Irish Variety Concert at The Shiley Theater, San Diego, The United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco, and Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College, Torrance California.

Do not miss this journey to Ireland, and to Skibbereen and Raglan Road and to that place where words and music meet. A great night of storytelling and song. Not to be missed!

www.kenomalley.com/

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