Drawing from an array of sources that includes Ornette Coleman, Scandinavian string bands, Aretha Franklin and the quartet's own members, the Republic of Strings documents a unique intergenerational exchange. Compelling musical textures, elegant solos and vocals all emanate from a startlingly diverse group of guests. "There's a lot of respect and love going on among the players," says Anger, "and I think it comes out in the music." One listen proves that he's exactly right.

The Republic of Strings's music emerges from the deep empathy that has developed among its members over nearly three years of concert appearances and informal exchanges. Darol Anger notes that "we've been out playing everywhere for years now, and like in a jazz group that's been playing together for a long time, you develop an extra-sensory perception of what the other person is going to do. And it's the deep nature of string band music to foster this."

In such a short time, and without losing their initial sensitivity, Berrogüetto has become one of the world's most important world music groups, mixing a passion for traditional Galician Music with that of contemporary experimentation, the two sides of the same coin in a global market where cultural differences are at risk.

A genial giant from the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry, Breanndán is a well known and accomplished performer of Irish traditional music on the button accordion, touring at home and in Estonia, Finland, Sweden and France. He is a member of the 'Boys of the Lough', first touring with the band as a guest in th e 1980's in the USA, and full-time member since 1997.

Brendan's exciting dance music, sensitive emotional playing of slow airs on accordion, and his singing in his native Irish make him a great favourite. He is acclaimed in Ireland for his TV presentations of traditional music on the Irish language channel TG4.

Dennis Cahill is a master guitarist, as well-versed in classical, blues, jazz, and rock as he is in traditional music. A native of Chicago, born to parents from County Kerry, he studied at the city's Music College before becoming an active member of the local music scene. In addition to his work with Martin Hayes, Dennis has performed with fiddlers, Liz Carroll, Eileen Ivers and Kevin Burke.

In the 1980s, Martin and Dennis formed the band Midnight Court in Chicago to experiment with the various forms of music that interested them. Eventually, Martin chose to return to the roots of Irish music and Dennis joined him thereafter to explore the music as a duet, a pairing which has been described as "one of the truly great musical partnerships of our time." Over the past few years Dennis has produced numerous albums including singer Niamh Parson's award winning CD "Heart's Desire.”

There may be no one in Irish music busier than John Doyle these days.

As one half of the stellar duo of Liz Carroll and John Doyle, and along with his many solo performances, recording, producing and composing gigs, his schedule rivals that of any music industry star. For an artist of such relative youth, John has made an ever-growing reputation for himself as singer, guitar master, producer, songsmith, arranger and performer.

Impossibly in demand in the studio and on the road, immensely talented and blessed with an acute ear, a wicked sense of rhythm and seemingly endless bag of tricks in his playing, composing, performing and producing, John is solidly establishing himself as one of the most versatile, creative and prolific voices in folk and traditional Irish music.

Aoife Granville is from Dingle and has been playing both classical and traditional music since the age of 7. While in her teens she performed and toured with Kerry Chamber Orchestra, Dublin Youth Orchestra and Ceol Chiarraí amongst others. She went on to study Music in UCC where she was a member of the group Fiddlesticks. Aoife was awarded a Bene Merenti from UCC for her contribution to traditional music and has won numerous prizes at Oireachtas and Fleadhanna Cheoil, including the prestigious Senior Flute title in 2003. She is currently the traditional flute tutor in UCC's Music Department and is undertaking a PhD in Music and Folklore. Aoife released her debut album, Sráid Eoin Shuffle, in 2006.

Hailing from Dingle, Co. Kerry, Deirdre studied both traditional and classical music from a young age. She performed and toured with Kerry Chamber and Youth Orchestras amongst others. She is accomplished harpist, flautist, and violinist. A first class honours Music graduate (UCC), Deirdre has performed extensively throughout the UK, Europe, America and Australia and now teaches in Cork. She was a founding member of the Triantán harp ensemble and continues to perform and tour with a variety of ensemble

[from Copperplate] Brid Harper: comes from Castlefin in Co Donegal. Brid is one of the most outstanding fiddle players of her generation, winning numerous competitions, including the All Ireland. She has appeared frequently on TV and Radio. Jimmy [Mchugh] was a frequent visitor to her home during his holidays in Tyrone and Donegal and they played together many times.

Born in East County Clare and now residing in the US Martin Hayes grew up playing traditional music with his father, P.J. Hayes, leader of the famed Tulla Ceili Band. He has been an All-Ireland fiddle champion six times, was a recipient of a National Entertainment Award and was named Man of the Year in 1999 by the American Irish Historical Society. Martin Hayes was recently listed among the most influential 100 Irish people at the start of the new Millennium by the Irish Times and was also cited as one of the most important musicians to come out of Ireland in 50 years. In the last few years Martin has written the scores for a contemporary US dance company, a one-hour documentary and a short animated film as well as being a guest musician on numerous albums.

Jerry Holland is a fiddler strongly rooted in Cape Breton, Scottish and Irish dance music traditions. An active performer and recording artist, many of his own tunes have entered the traditional repertoire around the world. His tunes, books and recordings have remained influential wherever Celtic music is played.

Jerry comes by his music honestly, his father was a musical man and respectful of tradition. Jerry Senior was over 50 years old when Jerry was born and this placed the budding musician directly into a vibrant older culture.

Traditional musicians always have a high respect for their sources. Jerry is no exception. In his childhood, Jerry's father exposed him to some of the last generation's greatest Cape Breton Scottish fiddlers.

The beauty of traditional music lies in individual expression. Because Cape Breton was remote, its fiddle music and dancing kept to the old Scottish style, a tradition that Jerry Holland was raised to respect and support.

As part of a new 9 part Traditional Music series for TG4, actor Jeremy Irons has taken it upon himself to learn the art of Traditional Irish fiddle playing under the guidance of musician extraordinaire Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh. The focus of the programme is for Jeremy to give his first public performance as a fiddler, which will take place during The 2008 Fiddle Fair.

Tim Kliphuis is the world's leading Stephane Grappelli Style Fiddler, taking his legacy into the 21st Century by adding to it Celtic Folk, Pop and Classical music ... Listen to Danny Boy, Stevie Wonder, American Songbook hits, The Kerry Dances and Classical themes by Bach, Grieg and Liszt and you have a "swingy, zingy mix" (Glasgow Herald) that's totally new but appeals to everyone.

Joining Tim as his regular Trio are premier Scots guitarist Nigel Clark and bass virtuoso Roy Percy - top players of gypsy swing, folk, ceilidh and blues.

Tim Kliphuis has performed and recorded with guitarists Fapy Lafertin, Angelo Debarre, Les Paul and Martin Taylor, Irish fiddle star Frankie Gavin and Appalachian wiz Jay Ungar.

Annbjørg Lien is one of Norway's most prominent folk musicians. She has been a well-known figure in fiddling circles since she was young, but has gradually gained recognition among a much wider audience.

Annbjørg brings folk music into new musical contexts, and her performances are distinguished by a personal and colorful style. She has a solid basis in traditional music, but is never afraid of crossing musical borders. She is collaborating with musicians from all over the world and her inspiration from other cultures is strong.

Manus Lunny comes from Donegal, from a family steeped in the musical tradition of Ireland.

His touring career began with 'The Wild Geese'. He has also toured with Andy M.Stewart (former Silly Wizard member) and with Phil Cunningham and Andy Stewart as a trio.

Outwith his work in Capercaillie, Manus is in great demand as a session musician and writer for both album and television recordings. He has worked on several TV series including the recent 'Tacsi' and 'Togaidh Sinn Fonn' series produced in Scotland and featuring musicians from not only the Scottish and Irish tradition, but from all over the world.

Manus is a gifted instrumentalist, singer and composer and has earned a reputation as one of the most significant performers from the Irish tradition, adding in a contemporary vein to the heritage of traditional music and song.

Martin Meehan originates from Manchester where he began tin whistle and flute classes under the guidance of Angela Durkin and Michael McGoldrick. He and his family moved to Armagh in 1988 and became involved with local Comhaltas branches within the area. As he progressed musically he also adopted the role of tutoring and successfully steered local musicians, as well as himself, to all-Ireland achievements.

Now residing in Armagh Martin is tutoring two flute classes within the Armagh Pipers Club, whilst also teaching privately, within local schools and the University of Ulster. He has toured throughout Europe and featured on the television series 'An Stuif Ceart'. He has also performed at many festivals and undertaken workshops including the week long 'Folk Works' music school in Durham.

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was born and raised in the Donegal Gaeltacht of Gaoth Dobhair. Her first language was Irish, and from her earliest years she was surrounded by music and song. Now one of the leading exponents of Donegal fiddle music, she received her start on the instrument from her father, Francie, a great fiddle teacher with a wealth of unusual local tunes, many learnt in turn from his mother, Roise. She also received tuition and inspiration from fiddler, Dinny McLaughlin, who was a frequent visitor to the home when she was young.

Mairéad has always had an equal love of singing and again learnt many songs from neighbours and friends in Gaoth Dobhair. As well as her work with Altan, Mairéad over the years has presented traditional music programmes on radio and television, including the classic radio show, "The Long Note" and the television series, "The Pure Drop".

Michelle O'Brien also comes from County Clare, learned fiddle from Frank Custy, the principal at her local primary school, and was taught fiddle by both Tommy and Siobhan Peoples. Michelle began playing at sessions from the age of 13 and is now an accomplished musician and teacher in her own right.

The Polskadots are a Cork based world music band led by highly accomplished Finnish violinist, Marja Tuhkanen, (Interference, Glen Hansard).

They take their audiences on a global trip through Scandinavia, Russia, South America, and Eastern Europe, delivering a melting pot of polskas, fiery gypsy tunes, and soulful songs. With band members hailing from Finland, the US, and Cork they share a common interest in many styles of music which they deliver with energy and passion.

Since their formation in 2005 they have played to packed venues in Cork and have featured in the Dunlaoghaire World Music Fest, Belfast European Culture Fest, Baltimore Fiddle Fair, Cork Folk Fest, and last year did a tour of Finland.

They have also been invited to play in Berlin later this year. The Dots are Marja Tuhkanen from Finland, Cork violinist and singer Cat O Hora, mandolinist from Georgia (US) George Norman, and singer/guitarist, Eileen Healy. They will also be joined by part time Dottet, great violinist and composer Edel Sullivan.

The Dublin-born fiddler is rapidly becoming known as one of the most interesting and creative musicians in traditional music. Since the widespread success of his 2003 'Kitty Lie Over' album with Mick O'Brien, he has performed in the United States, Canada, Alaska, Asia and all over Europe. Irish performances in 2006 included Farmleigh House, West Cork Music in Bantry, the National Concert Hall, the Kilkenny Arts Festival, Liberty Hall, and a tour for the Improvised Music Company.

His concerts have been broadcast on RTE Radio 1 and LyricFM, including a performance at the Masters of Tradition 2004 festival for West Cork Music. Recent television appearances include 'The Highland Sessions', 'The Raw Bar', 'Ceird an Cheoil', 'Se Mo Laoch' and 'Other Voices', and musicians he has recently worked with include The Waterboys, Iarla O Lionaird, Peadar O Riada, Breanndan Begley.

Caoimhín is part of the new traditional wing of Music Network's MusicWide programme.

Bjørn Ole Rasch is Norway's first Professor in Rythmical Music at the Faculty of Fine Arts at University of Agder in Norway. He works as a producer, arranger, composer and musician for for artists in different genre together with his own productions.

Rasch composes music for Theater, Film, Ballet, and TV/Radio in Norway and abroad. His musical style on keyboard and pump organ is unique, colorful and open, filled with contrasts and beauty!