Michael Black

Michael Black hails from the foremost family of Irish song, which includes siblings, Mary, Frances, Shay and Martin. He has been playing music and singing songs all his life and though from Dublin, he has lived in Limerick, London before emigrating to the bay area of San Francisco. His repertoire is very broad and includes old Dublin street songs, stories of emigration and history, folk songs from the Irish, English and Scottish traditions, along with music from contemporary writers. His solo album Michael Black, produced by John Doyle was voted “Album of the Year” by Celtic Connections (Radio show broadcast in 22 states).

These days he mainly performs with his brother, Shay, and they are regarded as two of the best harmony singers in the Irish genre. They have just released a new album entitled, Glackenacker, which takes its name from a farmland on Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim, where his father was born and raised.  The album features a host of musicians including John Doyle (producer/musician), most of the members of the Black Family, Michael McGoldrick, and Rick Epping amongst many. The brothers have a special fondness for songs that include their audience in chorus. Their band also features two fine musicians – Eamonn Flynn on piano and Felim Egan on accordion.

Michael has taught in a number of music camps and his area of expertise is on expanding repertoire.  Michael’s mantra is “If you can hum you can sing” so this class is for people of all musical experience levels! If you’ve never sung before, this workshop will free your voice! If you sing regularly, this workshop will broaden your repertoire. Learn and perform heartbreaking ballads, convivial drinking songs, songs that will make you laugh, and share your favorite song that you’ve always wanted to sing.