Jayne Pomplass, Luke Coffey, Patrick Stefan - Culture Night MUTM 2026

Jayne Pomplas, Luke Coffey, and Patrick Stefan come together as a dynamic acoustic trio, bringing three distinct musical voices into conversation.

Rooted in Irish traditional music, bluegrass, and contemporary folk songwriting, the trio blend virtuosic fiddle, driving banjo, and intricate guitar work with rich vocal harmony and original material. Their sound moves fluidly between tradition and innovation — from high-energy instrumental sets to intimate, lyrically driven songs.

Drawing on extensive international touring experience and collaborations across the global folk scene, they create performances that are both technically exceptional and deeply engaging.

Jayne Pomplas is a fiddle player, vocalist, and composer creating original music at the intersection of Irish traditional roots, folk song, and contemporary experimental sound. A lifelong exponent of the New York–Sligo fiddle tradition, her work honours the past while pushing confidently into new territory through improvisation, rich arrangements, and emotionally resonant songwriting.

She studied under masters Brian Conway and Tony DeMarco, developing a style defined by agility, intricate ornamentation, and emotional clarity. Her deep connection to regional fiddle styles continues to shape her phrasing and tone, while her improvisational instinct expands the tradition into new, cinematic sound worlds.

Known for her virtuosic playing and distinctive voice, Jayne delivers performances that are both intimate and electrifying — blending folk lyricism with cinematic textures and a fearless creative instinct. Whether performing solo or leading an ensemble, she crafts immersive live experiences that move seamlessly from fiery reels and plaintive airs to original compositions exploring the borderlands between folk melody and modern harmony.

A multiple Fleadh Cheoil winner, she remains a respected interpreter and teacher of traditional Irish music while continuing to develop new work rooted in its language.

Jayne has released five studio albums of traditional Irish music alongside an EP of original songs, charting her evolution from tradition-bearer to boundary-expanding artist.

She has performed and recorded with internationally renowned artists including The Chieftains, Frankie Gavin, Finbar Furey, Francesco Turrisi, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Lunatraktors, Dan Hawkins, Mik Pyro, Jaz Delorean, Patrick Stefan, Bricknasty, and Ron Block, as well as experimental collectives such as Acid Granny. She has also opened for Vieux Farka Touré.

Jayne has toured internationally and performed at major festivals including Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, TradFest, All Together Now, and Scene + Heard.

Luke Coffey is a Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist specialising in five-string banjo, tenor banjo, fiddle, and guitar, and is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s leading contemporary banjo players.

A graduate of music and performance at NUI Maynooth, he has spent over a decade immersed in bluegrass and traditional music, developing a distinctive style that bridges American roots music and Irish tradition.

As a founding member of Mules & Men, Coffey has helped shape their signature “acid-Celtgrass” sound — an innovative fusion of bluegrass, Irish traditional music, and modern influences. With the band, he has toured extensively across Ireland, Europe, and North America, performing at major festivals including Glastonbury and Electric Picnic.

He has collaborated with leading artists including Glen Hansard, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Eleanor Shanley, and Charlie McGettigan, and has performed with The Frames at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to audiences of over 17,000.

A highly sought-after session musician, Coffey is known for his versatility and ability to move seamlessly between traditional repertoire and contemporary acoustic styles.

In 2025, he released the album Traditional Irish Music Played on 5 String and Tenor Banjos, with Paddy Cummins, exploring the adaptation of Irish repertoire to the five-string banjo while maintaining the integrity and nuance of the tradition.

Patrick Stefan is a Dublin-based singer-songwriter, session musician, and highly sought-after guitarist.

Blending indie-folk with poetic lyricism, his music has been described as “the voice of James Blake meets the guitar playing of Nick Drake.” His songs unfold with subtlety and depth, revealing intricate emotional landscapes through nuanced arrangements.

Patrick released his debut album Wayfare, an exploration of ancestry and travel drawing on influences from Scandinavia, Brazil, and West Africa. His work has been featured on RTÉ Radio 1 and Spotify editorial playlists, and championed by outlets including Nialler9 and BBC’s Across The Line.

He has performed internationally, including showcases at Folk Alliance USA and Ireland Music Week, and appearances with The Nest Collective in London and Brighton. He has supported artists including Niamh Regan, Vieux Farka Touré, and Kean Kavanagh.

An Irish Arts Council Next Generation Award recipient and winner of the Night & Day Festival Song Competition, Patrick continues to establish himself as a compelling live performer, with a new album scheduled for release in 2026.