Irish Traditional Music from the Mid-Atlantic
Tidewater brings together four accomplished Irish traditional musicians whose playing has been shaped by great Irish and Irish-American players of earlier generations and decades of shared music.
With Billy McComiskey on button accordion, Laura Byrne on flute, Donna Long on piano, and Joanna Clare on fiddle, the band’s sound is grounded in tradition and enriched by the remarkable musical community they have helped sustain in Maryland. With frequent vocal collaborators Eileen Estes and David McKindley-Ward, along with other regional guest musicians, Tidewater creates music that is deeply rooted, distinctly their own, and moving forward.
We have some big news!
We are in production of a full-length recording of approximately 15–16 tracks, combining instrumental music and traditional song. In addition to tunes you may already know and love, we are also including some new and never recorded compositions. We will feature three tunes written by Billy McComiskey, one tune each by Donna Long, Laura Byrne and Joanna Clare. We also are including a few seldom heard tunes by Paddy O'Brien, Sean Ryan and Ed Reavy. Eileen Estes and David McKindley-Ward are laying down some stunning vocal tracks accompanied by the band, and special guests Jim Eagan, Sean McComiskey, Matt Mulqueen and Myron Bretholz will also perform on the album.
This recording will be released on March 12th, 2027 with a launch at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore.
Contribute to this project and receive some cool rewards at our Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tidewater/tidewater-a-new-recording-of-irish-music-rooted-in-maryland