This unique evening of solos, duets, and trios combines the talents of a major icon of traditional Irish music, Tony McMahon, and two mainstays of the Bay Area folk scene, Jody Stecher and Eric Thompson, in a program of awesome airs, beguiling ballads, and soulful jigs and reels -- with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Tony has been a major presence in the world of traditional Irish music for over three decades, as a button accordionist of unmatched passion and nuance, and as a founding member of the legendary Bothy Band. His extraordinary interpretations of the old airs of Ireland, in particular, stand alone, inhabiting spaces of true mystery and magic. Jody is a singer of exceptional expression, a skilled multi-instrumentalist, and a storehouse of traditional musics of the world. In recent years, Jody has received international acclaim for his performances and Grammy-nominated recordings with his partner Kate Brislin. Pioneer guitar flatpicker Eric Thompson has explored bluegrass, old-time, Irish ceili, Cajun, blues, and jibaro music with equal inventive zeal. Blue Flame Stringband, California Cajun Orchestra, and Bluegrass Intentions are just a few of his musical outlets. Eric and Jody have played music together for nearly 40 years; their genre-surfing guitar duets are full of verve and humor. Tony, Eric, and Jody are linked in their musical aesthetic by a shared appreciation of the music and manner of the legendary Joe Cooley, the wild Galway button accordion master Tony considers "the last of the bards." Tonight, the trio will revel in recalling Joe's settings of old-time dance tunes. All in all, this promises to be an unforgettable evening of music.