MUSIC:

Mary Duff in concert

by Mahes Perera

True to the promise she made last year when she sang with Daniel O'Donnell , the popular and sensitive Irish Singer Mary Duff will be in Sri Lanka this month for her solo concert which will be at the BMICH for two days running - Octobret 24 and 25. She will be supported by her backing band comprising six members, some of whom performed with Daniel O Donnel at his concert last year. Mary Duff will have with her an extremely talented young Irish country singer Jordan Mogey.

Her concert in Sri Lanka was part of an international tour of UK, Europe and Australia. The reason why she was determined to come back and perform in Sri Lanka was that the Sri Lankan audience, she said when she performed with Daniel O Donnell was absolutely great and it was a most enjoyable performance for them.

This is the only time she can fit in a concert in Sri Lanka because next year 2016 and 2017 she will be touring with Daniel O Donnell and they will be performing in Europe, USA and Australia.

According to the Organiser, Damayantha Kuruppu of DK promotions, Mary Duff has informed him that her concert will be approximately three hours in duration and that she will be singing a wide repetoire of songs covering various styles which earned her the title 'Singer of songs' without classification.

The box plan for the two concerts will be open from October 5 at the Hilton Poolside from10 a.m.

Mary Duff in the music industry is recognized as an "accomplished, polished and highly respected professional performer". Her initiation into stage performance came at a young age when she was 12 years old. Her father recognised her talent and gave her the opportunity to sing with his band during the weekends. When she finished with school she joined a band called Jukebox and stayed with them for about three years.

Winning Ireland's Sunday World Nationwide Talent Competition was the beginning of a successful music career for Mary Duff. Sean Reilly became her manager and he signed her up wit Ritz Records.

The result was success with albums. After an audition Daniel O Donell offered her the special guest slot on his first UK concert tour. Till today she remains Daniel's 'Special guest.

Year before last in 2013, Mary Duff celebrated 25 years in the music industry.

That year in January she was recognised as the Female Vocalist of the Year at the Sunday World Irish Music Awards and soon thereafter came the release of the successful single 'The Water is Wide', a UK tour in May followed by a 25 years celebration concert in Ireland.

A quick spool back to last year and Mary Duff's performance on our stage, and her wide varied repertoire of songs sung solo and duet with Daniel O' Donnell was truly unforgettable. Especially the all time hit 'Rose Garden' and her recent gold 'A Single Yellow Rose' - so make sure you are there at the BMICH!