Claire Mann
Claire Mann comes from Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England and is quickly establishing herself as one of the leading exponents of Traditional Irish flute, fiddle, tin whistle and song.

Coming from a musical family, Claire was surrounded by music and performing from an early age.  She started playing the violin in school at the age of eight and was studying Classical music until the opportunity arose to play folk music and it wasn't long before "the violin" became "the fiddle".

She spent many of the summers during her childhood visiting Ireland and attending Fleadh Cheoil competitions where she became immersed in the music.  Over these years she began to play the whistle, aged ten and then the flute, aged twelve, all the time developing her own individual style and technique.

Claire won the All Ireland Flute Championships in 1993 retaining her title in 1994.  During this time she added a Whistle All Ireland title and was a finalist on the Fiddle and in Singing.  During those years she added over eighty Fleadh Cheoil medals and was a finalist in the prestigious BBC Young Tradition Award in 1993.

In 1995 Claire teamed up with Scots fiddle player Aidan O'Rourke to form the band Tabache.  A year later they released their debut album "Are you Willing?" on KRL Lochshore to critical acclaim.  Tabache currently tour extensively throughout the USA, Canada, Europe and the British Isles.

Claire continues to diversify, playing with theatre companies in her native Newcastle and in Edinburgh to where she moved and currently resides.  She has appeared on numerous television and radio shows including "Prairie Home Companion".  She has also performed for the renowned British Flute Society who described her as, "astonishing."

In 1998 Tabache released their follow up CD, "Waves of Rush", again to great critical and public acclaim.  Claire continues to tour with Tabache, occasionally with Craobh Rua and has also toured with the fantastic singer/piper Christy O'Leary, formerly of Boys of the Lough and DeDannan.

Claire released her long awaited solo album in September 2001 to great critical acclaim.  She is joined on the recording by Aaron Jones on Cittern and Guitar (Craobh Rua / Seelyhoo), Brian McAlpine on piano (Iron Horse/Pearl Fishers), John Joe Kelly on bodhran (Altan / Flook) and Simon Thoumire on concertina.

Her innate musical ability and technical awareness of the music continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Reviews

"Astonishing"
(British Flute Society)

"Catch of the Festival"
(Sebastopol Folk Festival 2000, California)

"I for one would love to see Claire with a cloned sister of herself in a live
performance as both her flute and fiddle playing are faultless."
(Pete Fyfe, Folking.com)

"This excellent new CD of hers is full of great music and performances, and
is sure to win Claire many new fans at home and abroad."
(Aidan O'Hara, Irish Music Magazine)

"Claire's soft voice held the audience in a simple spell"
(Larry Winger, Hexham Courant)

"Claire on fiddle, flute, whistle and singing showed true musicianship on all"
(Orcadian, Orkney Folk Festival)

"The rhythm was absolutely incredible, the best rhythm I've heard anyone play with for years, it was brilliant, great playing"
(Kathryn Tickell, BBC Radio 2's Young Tradition Award)

"Stunning performance......"
(Paul James)

"A wonderful player, hugely versatile, excellent"
(Barbara Dickson)

" ... a clear voice with lots of passion"
(Folksblatt)