Formed in 1985 and named for a well-known jig, Cherish the Ladies hasperformed in concert halls and at major folk festivals throughout NorthAmerica, Great Britain, Ireland and Europe. They have appeared on NationalPublic Radio and PBS television in North America, as well as BBC and RTE radioand television in Europe. They have shared the stage with The Clancy Brothers,Tommy Makem, Joan Baez and James Taylor. Their first recording, Cherish theLadies, was cited by the Library of Congress as an outstanding traditionalrecording.
The excitement generated at every Cherish the Ladies performance comes from ablend of first-rate musicianship, an impressive command of the Irishtraditional repertoire and a great feel for contemporary tastes and humor. Inaddition, the group is joined on stage by four world-class step dancers.
Individually, the ladies (and two male step-dancers), are all superbperformers, boasting numerous All-Ireland, National and North Americanchampionships as instrumentalists, singers and dancers. Collectively, they arean unforgettable ensemble, performing with technical excellence, enthusiasm anda spirited joyfulness.
Cherish the Ladies offers brilliant instrumental and vocal abilities, asatisfying mix of traditional music and new compositions and dramaticchoreography. Their performances, which have been called powerful,entertaining and colorful, have earned them loyal followers coast to coast.According to The New York Times, Cherish the Ladies, "Expands the annalsof Irish music in America...the music is passionate, tender andrambunctious."
