Grammy-winning composer and fiddler Mark O’Connor has created several arrangements of Christmas classics and fashions a wondrous mixture of both instrumental and vocal music in the bluegrass and other American music genres. Concertgoers are treated to fresh takes on traditional songs with a few original compositions included. His renditions are playful and joyous but can be strikingly earnest too.
Having toured An Appalachian Christmas for ten years, O’Connor and his ensemble have dynamic energy on stage that brings their individual expertise to holiday themes and classics in the most delightful and musically satisfying way! Mark O’Connor’s touring ensemble includes his wife Maggie O’Connor on fiddle and vocals as well his son Forrest O'Connor on mandolin, guitar, and vocals.
Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas album (2011) reached the #1 ranking on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album charts. Hailed by critics from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times as a top 10 album of the holiday season, it has become a perennial classic Christmas recording.
“All Christmas music should be played so elegantly on violin" -- Boston Globe
"Heavenly" - Associated Press
“Elegant” – New York Times