Café Concert Series

New York based, Cork-born songwriter Niall Connolly has released eight studio albums, a live album and an EP. His latest album Dream Your Way Out of This One features collaborations with his long term NYC band as well as guest appearances from Glen Hansard (Once, The Frames, The Swell Season) Javier Más (Leonard Cohen’s band) and Deni Bonet (REM, Cyndi Lauper, Sarah McLachlan).

Connolly has toured all over Europe and the US, including festival appearances at Glastonbury, CMJ, Prague Fringe Festival, Acoustic Festival Düsseldorf, Cork Folk Festival and Cuala NYC. He has opened for Glen Hansard, Lisa Hannigan, Mick Flannery, Lucius, Evan Dando, Eugene Kelly, Lambchop, Wallis Bird, MisterWives and many more. Connolly is also the founder of Big City Folk Collective. Big City Folk hosts over 100 events annually throughout New York, a regular concert series in Woodstock and a biennial music festival. 

Jefferson is a guitarist and singer based in Brooklyn, NY. In 2013, in addition to the Murphy Beds, he and songwriter Anais Mitchell released Child Ballads, a collection of new adaptations of English and Scottish folk songs which won a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. His original songs are featured on the 2016 album Great Shakes by Cambridge, MA roots rock ensemble Session Americana. In the Oct. 2013 issue, Acoustic Guitar magazine wrote, “A gifted guitarist and singer, Hamer is able to hit close harmonies… and weave gorgeous instrumental lines.” 

The Murphy Beds (Jefferson Hamer and Eamon O’Leary) present traditional and original folk songs with close harmonies and deft instrumental arrangements on bouzouki, guitar, and mandolin. They have performed and collaborated with artists across the folk spectrum including Beth Orton, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Anais Mitchell, and Sam Amidon. 

“Their great feat turns out to be taking what’s best of the classic Irish folk revival without falling into any of its clichés. The resulting album bears repeated listening from start to finish, with ten beautiful, crystalline songs.”—Huffington Post

Rebecca Hart once accidentally won a comedy competition in Dublin while participating as the musical guest (true story). Recent claims to fame include earning an MFA from NYU’s graduate musical theatre writing program (book & lyrics); the 2017 NY Innovative Theatre Award for best original music; completion of her album The Magician’s Daughter and a role in Fairytale of NY, the Pogues' musical workshop at the Public. Known for her “infectious stage presence” (BAMCafe Live) and “impressively well-textured voice” (Time Out magazine), this is Hart's second concert at IAC.

Hubby Jenkins is a talented multi-instrumentalist who endeavors to share his love and knowledge of old-time American music. Born and raised in Brooklyn he delved into his southern roots, following the thread of African American history that wove itself through America's traditional music forms. As an integral member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and later Rhiannon Giddens band, Hubby has performed at festivals and venues around the world, earning himself both Grammy and Americana award nominations. Today he spreads his knowledge and love of old-time American music through his dynamic solo performances and engaging workshops.

Photo credit: Horatio Baltz

Eamon started playing Irish music while growing up in Dublin through his friendship with the Mayock family, traditional musicians from County Mayo. When he moved to New York City in the early '90s, he immersed himself in the city’s traditional music scene and traveled widely, performing with many of the great players in Irish music. In 2004 he and fiddler Patrick Ourceau released the album Live at Mona’s. Eamon has taught at many traditional music programs in the US and also records and performs original music.

The Murphy Beds (Jefferson Hamer and Eamon O’Leary) present traditional and original folk songs with close harmonies and deft instrumental arrangements on bouzouki, guitar, and mandolin. They have performed and collaborated with artists across the folk spectrum including Beth Orton, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Anais Mitchell, and Sam Amidon. 

“Their great feat turns out to be taking what’s best of the classic Irish folk revival without falling into any of its clichés. The resulting album bears repeated listening from start to finish, with ten beautiful, crystalline songs.”—Huffington Post