The annual west coast pipers' tionol ("gathering" in Gaelic) brings together players and fans of the Irish uilleann pipes for a days-long musical feast, including tonight's extravaganza concert featuring three masters of Ireland's haunting, melodious bellows pipes.

With a reputation for fiery, soulful playing and performances that place the uilleann pipes in interesting new musical contexts, TODD DENMAN says that when he puts the pipes on he feels "like another spirit inhabits my soul; it just plays itself through me." Powerfully spiritual and technically versatile, Todd's playing has accompanied the San Francisco Symphony, Irish music pioneer Mick Moloney, and many others. He has produced and appeared in several theatrical shows including Celtic Peace and the R&B/gospel/Irish music fusion show Celtic Soulstice, recorded four acclaimed albums, and served as president of the San Francisco Pipers Club.

Born into a deeply musical family in Howth, Co. Dublin, LEO RICKARD started his piping education in 1976 at the old Pipers' Club in Dublin.� Leo has played and toured with a number of contempory bands, including Clann Eadair, In Tua Nua, and the Work and Play Band, as well as supporting the sessions and passing on his skills and knowledge to a new generation of pipers at the Willy Clancy Summer School.�Highly regarded in the piping fraternity for the subtlety, maturity, and high level of skill he brings to the instrument, Leo's piping is distinguished by its uncluttered purity and full, rolling, driving style.

Georgia-born PATRICK SKY, a seminal figure of the American revival of Irish music, has been building and playing the uillean pipes for over 40 years -- although he might be more familiar to longtime Freight-goers as one of the more outspoken singer-songwriters of the '70s. Known for his multi-instrumental skill since his days as a prominent figure in the 1960s Greenwich Village folk music revival, Patrick (who has shared billing with Pete Seeger, Buffy Sainte Marie, Joni Mitchell and Emmy Lou Harris, to name a few) took first place in the Piping Slow Airs class and second in Senior Piping at the 1993 Fleadh Cheoil Irish musical competition in New York City. His deep dedication to the uilleann pipes has led Patrick to roles as an educator and producer of traditional Irish music, as well as a skilled player.