Martin Hayes is regarded as one of the most influential musicians in the world of Irish traditional music today. His playing places the tradition within a wider contemporary context with his unique and insightful interpretations of Irish music. Because he is deeply grounded in the roots of the music and simultaneously open to new possibilities through collaboration, he has been able to develop an authentic style of Irish traditional music that is soulful, vibrant and relevant for today’s audiences. He draws inspiration from many musical genres, but remains grounded in the music he grew up with in East County Clare.

Martin Hayes’ soulful interpretation of traditional Irish music has been heard on concert stages all over the world. He has toured and recorded with the late great guitarist Dennis Cahill for over twenty years, and also with The Martin Hayes Quartet and the seminal Irish American band, The Gloaming, both of with he founded. He shared the prestigious Meteor Prize in 2014 for the Gloaming’s debut album. He has collaborated with extraordinary musicians in the classical, folk and contemporary music worlds such as Bill Frisell, Ricky Skaggs, Jordi Savall, Brooklyn Rider and the Irish Chamber Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra as well as many of the greatest traditional Irish musicians over the past thirty years. Martin has contributed music, both original and traditional arrangements to modern dance, theatre, film and television. He has performed on stage with Sting, Phoebe Bridgers, and Paul Simon and also recorded with Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project. He is the artistic director of Masters of Tradition, an annual festival in Bantry, Co. Cork and is a co-curator for the Marble Sessions at the Kilkenny Arts Festival.

Martin has been recognised as Musician of the Year (Gradam Ceoil) from TG4, Person of the Year by the American Irish Historical Society in New York City and is recipient of the annual Spirit of Ireland award from the Irish Arts Center NY. He was named musician of the year at the inaugural BBC Folk Awards and also instrumentalist of the year at the inaugural RTE Folk Awards. He and Dennis performed for President Obama and dignitaries both at the White House and the US Capitol Building in March, 2011. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from National University of Ireland Galway.