Martin Hayes & Kate Ellis

A meeting of two exceptional talents, as Irish fiddle master Martin Hayes and cellist Kate Ellis come together for a Songlines Encounters performance unlike any other, where tradition and contemporary exploration intertwine. Martin Hayes is one of the most influential figures in Irish traditional music. Known for his deeply expressive fiddle playing, he has collaborated widely across folk, classical and contemporary music, working with artists including Bill Frisell, Jordi Savall and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Cellist Kate Ellis is a leading performer in contemporary music, with collaboration at the heart of her practice. As Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, she has worked with composers such as Steve Reich and Nico Muhly, alongside artists including Bono, Rhiannon Giddens and Martin Hayes himself. Together, Hayes and Ellis bring two distinct musical worlds into conversation.