Grammy Award winner Eileen Ivers grew up enmeshed in her heritage. Her Irish immigrant parents gently guided her and her sister to pursue activities reflecting their culture, she said.
“I tried Irish step dancing for all of two weeks,” Ivers said. “It just did not happen.”
What did happen was her pursuit of violin when she was 8 years old. Today, Ivers is known worldwide as an innovator and pioneer of Celtic and world music, and a virtuosic fiddler.
She will perform a special Mother’s Day program with her five-piece ensemble on May 8 at the James Lumber Center in Grayslake. Each of the ensemble members, including Ivers, play several instruments. The eclectic instrumentation includes fiddle, tin whistle, accordion, drums, baritone saxophone and trumpet.
“When I put together a concert and show, it’s wonderful to have a diversity of instrumentation,” Ivers said. “There’s always something new to an audience’s ear.”
Her accordionist, considered one of the best in the world, is also an American born of Irish-born parents. “We grew up together. We love the style of American music and the Irish connection,” she said.
Ivers performs with this ensemble as well as a guest artist with various symphony orchestras including those in London and Milwaukee. She also has performed with Sting on the David Letterman Show and other artists.
Ivers took a bit of a detour along the way, pursuing mathematics as an undergraduate and graduate student. Just before earning her master’s degree, she joined Riverdance and learned how performing on stage allowed her to share emotions with an audience. She continued her career in music, performing solo and with various groups, writing and arranging her own music.
“It was a surprise kind of career,” Ivers said. “Life sets you up in some ways. I think there’s a God-given talent and there’s a passion. There’s also a very hard work ethic, and wanting to do something as a career you feel truly touches people.”
Her sister, who went on to learn Irish step dancing is now “an amazing nurse,” Ivers said. “She helps people daily. Music is also very healing.”
For the record, there’s really no difference between fiddle and violin, other than the style of playing, Ivers said. A 10-year-old girl in an audience said it best, she said. “A violin has strings, but a fiddle has ‘strangs.'”
Celtic music, is “truly thriving around the world,” Ivers said. “It’s a very honest form of music. You have the full spectrum of emotions, the cathartic, slow laments that sum up so much of humanity, and then the juxtaposition of the joyous infectiously jubilant dance tunes that show the Irish are so resilient. They have gone through so much.
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“The music is relatable,” she said. “It’s in keys that are resonant to American ears. There’s a familiarity.
“You can play it and feel it like anyone born in Ireland,” she said, adding trips to other countries have shown her that people of all ethnic backgrounds can play Celtic music with soul and understanding.
Ivers said the Grayslake show will feature Celtic, bluegrass, French Canadian, Cajun and gospel styles.
“The audience will hear a journey of the roots of American music from Celtic music to African rhythms. It’s a very diverse show,” she said.
The ensemble will dedicate a tune called “Gratitude,” on her latest album, to mothers. “We’ve been following it up with a higher faster piece called ‘Attitude,” she said, giving the audience a chance to witness her fast flying fingers.
Watching Ivers in various concerts via YouTube reveals a genuine smile and passion for performing. She never tires of playing music, because of the audience participation, she said.
“This past weekend we had three wonderful shows on the East Coast,” she said. “We played this song at the end where I lengthen a note. The audience kept the tempo going and clapping and clapping, so I asked if they wanted to hear it again. They did, so we jumped right into the tune again.”
Ivers also creates new material to keep motivated. Her latest album, “Scatter the Light,” reflects a theme of positivity, she said.
Ivers, who has a 12-year-old son with her husband and manager Brian Mulligan, also recently wrote a children’s book, “Will Someone Play Bluey?” about a blue violin being snubbed by other instruments.
“Our son was bullied in elementary school,” Ivers said. “We told him you can’t have people hurt you with words. Stand up for yourself and treat everybody with kindness even if you’re a blue violin amongst brown violins.” Today, her son is happy, “rocking his math tests,” running in track and playing drums, she said.
She said she’s grateful for places like James Lumber Center where diversity is celebrated.
“When you come to one of our shows, you will be greatly moved,” she said. “You’ll feel emotions. You’ll learn a lot of history, and at the end of the concert you’ll be standing and singing back to me. It’s a full all-around experience.”
Eileen Ivers Special Mother’s Day Show
When: 4 p.m. May 8
Where: James Lumber Center, 19351 Washington, Grayslake
Tickets: $15-$40
Information: 847-542-2300, jlcenter.clcillinois.edu
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.