Biography
Now in their fourth year, Burning Bridget Cleary hit the ground running, playing major Celtic festivals, concert stages, and regional events like old pros. Their first CD, "Catharsis", was recorded in 2006 when the girls were 15 and 16 years of age. “Catharsis”, has received airplay on a wide variety of NPR stations, and was featured on Fiona Ritchey’s Thistlepod podcast of “All American Acoustic”. Their new release (11-25-08), "Everything is Alright", is now available. It has received endorsements from three of the world's most acclaimed Irish fiddlers, Martin Hayes, Liz Carroll, and Tony DeMarco.
Rose Baldino and Genna Gillespie met as pre-teens at a traditional Irish music session where they became instant friends. Since that time, both have been first-place trophy winners at the Celtic Classic fiddle competitions. Both were born into musical families (Genna’s parents are founding members of the Celtic band, Blackwater). The natural pairing of these talented young women, backed by Rose’s dad, a life-long musician, has created a polished musical team with a lively and engaging stage presence.
They have opened for "Halali", the "Tartan Terrors", "Tempest", and"Old Blind Dogs". Their new CD is now getting airplay nationwide on a wide variety of stations . On January 9, 2009, BBC was again featured on Fiona Ritchie's NPR "Thistlepod"podcast sampler of "New Releases".
The band is named in honor of Bridget Cleary, who is remembered as the last witch burned in Ireland. She was a vivacious and fashionable young woman who lived during the late 19th century. Believing that her flu symptoms were caused by evil faeries, her deranged husband and family members burned poor Bridget to death. They were later convicted of murder and new laws were ultimately passed to protect women from such acts. Bridget was buried in an unmarked grave, but her memory is kept alive by our music, and by several recent books and plays.
Rose and Genna, both lively and fashionable young women, related to Bridget by composing "Burning Bridget Cleary", an original tune found as Track #10 on their first CD. Their new CD features an original song, "Ah Tusa Si", that relates Bridget's tale in a compelling and haunting style.
Instrumentation
Genna Gillespie (fiddle, vocals, dance)
Rose Baldino (fiddle, vocals, whistle, dance)
Lou Baldino (guitar, vocals)
Pete Trezzi (djembe drum)
Discography
"Catharsis" CD - Debut release, 2006.
"Everything is Alright", released November 25, 2008.
Links
| http://www.burningbridgetcleary.com |
| Our MySpace Page |