Isaac Alderson and Jonas Fromseier

Sat., Feb. 12, 8 p.m., $15, Commodore Barry Club, 6815 Emlen St., 215-849-8899, philadelphiaceiligroup.org.

by Mary Armstrong

[ irish/traditional ]

They say the truest believers are always the proselytes. Isaac Alderson and Jonas Fromseier are proof of that; both young men are converts to the Irish tradition, playing the old tunes with gusto. Alderson is originally from Chicago where, despite his lack of Irish ancestry, he took to the music in early adolescence with such a devotion that he won three All-Ireland instrumental titles. Fromseier's Danish born and bred, but picked up a taste for Irish music young. Soon he was travelling to Ireland to sit in on sessiuns, and eventually moving to Galway. Between them, Alderson and Fromseier master an enter band's worth of instruments. The former is best known for his piping, flute and tin whistle, the latter drives the music with bouzouki or banjo.

Sat., Feb. 12, 8 p.m., $15, Commodore Barry Club, 6815 Emlen St., 215-849-8899, philadelphiaceiligroup.org.