Tulca mór is currently promoting its newly released second album 'Into the Night' which features acclaimed vocalist Jenny Fitzgibbon, founding members Steve Cook and Fred Graham, relatively recent recruits Claire Fitzpatrick (formerly of The High Notes), Andrew Heath (guitarist with The Poachers) and special guest percussionist, Greg Sheehan. This collaboration received an overwhelming response at the 2003 Woodford Folk Festival and was a featured act in the Woodford Folk Festival Fire Event. It is undoubtedly the band's most popular and exciting line-up to date.

Although Tulca mór are humble about their ambitions, ‘to sell 1000 CDs, record again and have some good gigs’, the growing demand for their genuine, high energy music and their reputation as one of Australia’s premier Celtic bands is keeping them very busy. Director of the Woodford Folk Festival, Bill Hauritz describes the band ‘ as easily one of the best traditional Irish music groups in Australia’. ‘The thing that holds this band together’ says fiddler Fred Graham, ‘is that we all just love playing Irish traditional music. Its under our skin and we’re mad about it. Our aim is to share this enjoyment and passion with our audiences in the hope that they may come to know it as we do’.

The Performers

Jenny Fitzgibbon, Born in Ireland, Jenny arrived in Brisbane from Darwin in 1999 full of songs - traditional, contemporary and topical. Her love of a good search and flair for marrying the traditional with the current has brought about some wonderful additions to the folk pantheon. Whether unaccompanied or with the band, Jenny’s rich interpretations of traditional repertoire highlight her distinctively powerful and emotive voice. Audiences from Darwin in the north to Tasmania in the south have been spellbound by her engaging live performances. Two trips home in 2000 and 2001 gave her the opportunity to perform with many of Irelands finest young musicians, including Peter Brown and Eamonn de Barra. The second trip saw her being invited to return in July 2003 to perform at the prestigious Willie Clancy Summer School. In 2001 Jenny was awarded the Liz Johnston Memórial Award for Vocal Excellence at that National Folk Festival in Canberra.

Fred Graham is one of Australia's premier fiddle players and is a leading exponent of Irish fiddling. He has a unique style, full of variation, improvisation, drive and vitality. His sound is warm and expressive. Originally inspired by the recordings of fiddlers Tommy Peoples and Kevin Burke, Fred’s quest for mastery of Irish fiddling resulted in a trip to Ireland in 2000. There he learnt from and played many sessions with master fiddlers Seamus Creagh, Martin Hayes, Johnny Carty, Matt Cranitch, Maire O’Keeffe and Eilish O’Connor. Fred has an Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and also specialises in performing bluegrass and blues fiddle. His Irish fiddling incorporates these musical influences and improvisational skills to present a fresh, exciting sound. Over the years, Fred has performed with many talented artists and acts. These include Mic Conway, Deborah Conway, Ann Kirkpatrick, Leah Cottrell, Bronwyn Calcutt, Steve Berry, Eilish O’Connor, and as a member of Jack the Lad, The Borderers and The Fiddlers Festival - alongside fellow fiddlers Marcus Holden, Mark Oats, Andrew Clermont, George Washingmachine and Nigel MacLean. Fred also currently performs with Brisbane-based gypsy jazz outfit Mystery Pacific, in which he collaborates with guitarist Ewan MacKenzie. Fred is the 2003/2004 Woodford Folk Festival Fire Event musical director.

Claire Fitzpatrick's accordion playing is highly regarded in the Irish music scene of Australia. She has a beautiful, uncluttered style that cuts to the very essence of the tune, bringing it to life with a strong lilting rhythm. Claire started playing the accordion in Ireland as an eager ten-year-old who participated in the local fleadhs and ceilis. She plays in the county Clare style which is where her family is from. After immigrating to Australia, Claire became well known to the Australian folk community as a member of the acclaimed Irish group The High Notes , which also featured Eilish O’Connor, Peter Woodley, Jimmy Gregory and James Fagan. She performed around Australia with The High Notes and now performs in local Brisbane sessions and as a member of Tulca mór.

Steve Cook is a highly sought-after and respected accompanist who is well-known for his impeccable timing, innovative accompaniment and tasteful licks. His bouzouki playing reflects an intuitive sense of melody and embellishment that is underpinned by a rock solid rhythmic foundation. His style is refined and intricate. Steve’s early interest in music was in traditional Australian music when he performed with folk bands such as Bale-em-up, Rantan and Red Ned. This developed into a keen interest in Irish music and, after touring Ireland, Steve has refined and polished his approach to Irish accompaniment. As well as playing bouzouki, Steve is also an accomplished guitarist and mandolinist and performs in many musical genres, notably Brazilian choro, balkan, jazz, country and bluegrass music. He has performed with many leading folk musicians and acts in Australia including Linsey Pollak, Bronwyn Calcutt, Anne Kirkpatrick, Jack the Lad and Eilish O’Connor. Steve currently performs as mandolinist for the highly acclaimed Brazilian choro group Simbora and Brisbane acoustic jazz outfit, Mystrel.

Andrew Heath is Tulca mór’s guitarist and is one of the most respected Irish accompanists in the country. He has an innate feel for Irish music and creates a full, powerful sound from the guitar. Andrew’s playing is rich and polished, varying from a driving rhythmic approach to delicate finger- style arrangements. Andrew has played with a number of traditional acts including the popular festival band, The Poachers. The Poachers’ self-titled debut album has received regular ABC radio-play and rave reviews. In Tulca mór, Andrew teams up with Steve to provide a rhythm section that is tight, sophisticated and driving. Andrew plays a beautiful guitar, handcrafted by Brisbane luthier, Chris Melville.