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The Irish American Heritage Museum is truly honored to bring world champion fiddler Mari Black and her band as part of her "Fiddling Around the World" concert to Albany's most intimate venue - nominated for the 2026 Thomas Edison Music and Hall of Fame's "Best Alternative Venue" award - the Irish American Heritage Museum's Flanagan Theater.
MARI BLACK
Called “one of the brightest fiddlers around today” (Brian O’Donovan, WGBH radio), multistyle violinist and champion fiddler Mari Black delights audiences around the world with her energetic playing, sparkling stage presence, and dazzlingly virtuosic fiddling. Raised on a rich blend of traditional musical styles, Mari burst onto the international stage when she became Scotland’s Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and 2-time Canadian Maritime Fiddle Champion, all within a three-year period. Since then, Mari has been spreading her love for dance-based music, performing as a featured artist at performing arts centers, Celtic festivals, Scottish Highland Games, celebrated folk venues, world music concert series, and acclaimed classical venues - including Carnegie Hall. Mari can even be heard (and seen!) in the award-winning video game BioShock: Burial at Sea.
Mari has appeared with such diverse artists as Irish fiddle master Liz Carroll, Americana master Mark O’Connor, and jazzman Willie Ruff. Mari has been featured on the BBC Radio Scotland, Fox and CBS morning news, and NPR’s “Here and Now.” Mari has played concerts in Brazil, Scotland, Canada, China, Korea, Zimbabwe, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, and France … and now: IAHM's Flanagan Theater!!!!! Currently touring nationally with her trio, Mari's favorite thing to do is sweep audiences away on a spirited musical adventure featuring dance music from around the globe: Celtic, American, and Canadian fiddling, jazz, tango, klezmer, folk, original works, and more!
Mari’s passion for dance-driven music extends far beyond the concert stage, as reflected in her work as a teacher, composer, dancer, competition judge, and musical ambassador committed to connecting people through music. Having earned her Doctorate in Education from Columbia University, Mari is a master teacher who is dedicated to helping students of all ages and levels explore the joy of making music. Mari teaches regularly at prestigious camps and workshops around the country, including appearances at the Swannanoa Gathering, the Acadia Trad School, the Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling, the Mark O’Connor fiddle camp, the Tanglewood Festival, and the Yale School of Music. Several of her students are champion fiddlers in their own right, winning top awards at the U.S. Scottish Nationals and other competitions.
Mari is a performer, recording artist, teacher, mentor and composer: her ear-catching compositions draw on a broad range of stylistic influences, and have won several awards, including a Gold Medal from the MASC International Songwriting Competition and the composition prize at the prestigious Dan R. MacDonald fiddle competition. Some of Mari's personal favorite compositions are featured on her debut album FLIGHT, and on her new album UNSCRIPTED, a collaboration with 3-time world accordion champion Cory Pesaturo.
Quoteable Quotes
“One of the brightest young fiddlers around today.” — Brian O’Donovan, host of WGBH radio’s “A Celtic Sojourn”
“Particularly impressive” — The Boston Globe
“Superb, inspiring, and unforgettable! Her magic is such that she sweeps audiences along with the sounds she and her instrument make.” — Willie Ruff, Director of the Ellington Jazz Series, Yale University
“Mari Black is an extraordinary musician; her sound is musical enthusiasm personified.” — Dr. John Turner, 10-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion
“Mari Black is the first fiddler who inspired me to want to learn how to dance. Her skill and infectious joy in fiddling is beyond words.” — Rich Warren, host of WFMT radio’s “Folkstage”
Notable Awards
- The Dan R. MacDonald Grand Prize for Fiddle, North American Scottish Fiddle Championships
- The Dan R. MacDonald composition prize, North American Scottish Fiddle Championships
- U.S. Grand Master Fiddling Championship, Top 10
- Freshgrass Fiddle Awards, Finalist
- MASC International Songwriting Competition, Instrumental Gold Medal
- 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion
- 2-time Maritime Fiddle Champion
- Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion of Scotland
- Canadian Novelty Fiddle Champion
- American Protege International Strings & Piano Competition, 1st Prize
- 2-time ASTA Alternative Styles Awards prize winner
To learn more about Mari and follow her musical adventures, visit her website: www.MariBlack.com.
Special thanks to this event's sponsors, Metroland Now, Common Roots Brewing Company, ParkAlbany and the Flanagan Family.
SHOW YOUR TICKET ON THE DAY OF THE SHOW AT COMMON ROOTS BREWING COMPANY AND GET SPECIAL IAHM BUY ONE/GET ONE DRINK SPECIAL.