Join us Friday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. when virtuosic fiddler Andrew Finn Magill presents an evening of genre-bending musicality on the Diana Wortham Theatre stage.
Finn blends traditional Irish music with jazz, bluegrass and beyond to deliver a world-class fusion of old and new. His newest recording, “The Polaris Project,” is an ambitious album of ten original pieces, written for an electric jazz quartet, that synthesizes Finn’s years living and working as a musician in Ireland, Malawi, Ghana, Brazil and the Southern U.S. The album features world-class musicians Justin Stanton of the Grammy-winning Snarky Puppy, bassist Ethan Jodziewicz (Sierra Hull, Molly Tuttle) and drummer Justin Watt of the Glen Miller Orchestra — with special guests Malawian music icon Peter Mawanga and Rising Appalachia’s Leah Song. “The Polaris Project” release date is Friday, Oct. 27 — the day of his Wortham Center performance.
An Asheville-born musician, Finn began his musical journey at an early age, surrounded by Appalachian folk music performed by some of the greatest talents in the world. Inspired by these musical traditions, he immersed himself in the art of the fiddle, devoting countless hours to honing his craft and studying under esteemed musicians.
His dedication and passion for the instrument have led him on a remarkable musical journey around the globe — including a 2014 move to Rio de Janeiro to study Brazilian choro music. Since the debut of his first album in 2005, he has been featured on PBS, NPR, TEDx and MTV-U and has performed with John Doyle, Rising Appalachia, Charm City Junction, Open the Door for Three, Greg Ruby, The Paul McKenna Band and Peter Mawanga, among others. In 2016, Finn returned to his Appalachian roots to release the album, Roots and Branches, which features original acoustic music inspired by Irish and American music.
Finn’s performances are a testament to his virtuosic playing and his deep appreciation for the traditions that have shaped his music. Whether he’s grooving with the band or performing hauntingly beautiful ballads, Finn’s fiddling is steeped in authenticity and a profound understanding of the music’s roots.
Beyond his prowess as a fiddler, Finn is also a gifted composer and bandleader. He seamlessly blends the old and the new, infusing traditional tunes with innovative arrangements and original compositions that reflect his own musical vision. His compositions are a reflection of his diverse musical influences, incorporating elements of jazz, bluegrass and beyond — resulting in a sound that is uniquely his own. With his boundless talent, innovative spirit, and respect for tradition, he continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of traditional music.
Andrew Finn Magill in the media
Asheville’s Andrew Finn Magill at the Wortham Center –The Laurel of Asheville, October 2023
‘Polaris’ and ‘Palimpsest’: Violinist Andrew Finn Magill and Horror Writer Jamieson Ridenhour —The Overlook with Matt Peiken, October 13, 2023
(begin at 21:30)
Violin with vision: an interview with Andrew Finn Magill –WUOT 91.9, Knoxville
