Matt Molloy
Fluid, virtuosic Irish flute playing that mimics the intricate ornamentation of uilleann pipes. Pure acoustic energy for rainy afternoons and pub sessions.
Fluid, virtuosic Irish flute playing that mimics the intricate ornamentation of uilleann pipes. Pure acoustic energy for rainy afternoons and pub sessions.
Matt Molloy is widely regarded as the most influential Irish flautist of the 20th century. Born in 1947 in Ballaghaderreen, he is a central figure in the 'Sligo style,' characterized by a driving rhythm and intricate ornamentation.
His career serves as a bridge between the rural traditionalists and the modern folk revival. As a founding member of The Bothy Band and later a member of Planxty and The Chieftains, Molloy helped professionalize Irish traditional music while maintaining its core integrity. His primary technical contribution is the adaptation of piping techniques to the flute, which revolutionized the instrument's role in ensemble playing. Critically, he is lauded for his 'breath' - a specific way of using air to create a percussive, pulsing feel. Beyond his recordings, his ownership of a famous pub in Westport has made him a literal and figurative gatekeeper of the session tradition. His influence is ubiquitous; nearly every contemporary Irish flute player utilizes the fingerwork patterns Molloy popularized in the 1970s.
Shares acoustic folk, fiddle, americana, bonfire (signature)
Shares flute, fiddle, americana, acoustic folk (signature)
Shares acoustic folk, flute, bonfire, instrumental_only (signature)
Shares acoustic folk, americana, bonfire, sunday_morning (signature)
Shares flute, americana, acoustic folk, bonfire (signature)
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →
