Pianist

Reverie Road is a genre-defying Celtic powerhouse ensemble, uniting founding Solas members Winifred Horan (fiddle) and John Williams (accordion) with former Gaelic Storm fiddler Katie Grennan and Steinway Artist Jazz and Raga pianist Utsav Lal. Together, these four exceptional musicians are celebrated as some of today’s most virtuosic traditional folk artists, captivating audiences worldwide from stages to studios for over three decades. Reverie Road takes the rich tapestry of Irish music and weaves it into a cinematic experience, full of expression and sophistication. Their performances push the boundaries of tradition, offering stunningly innovative interpretations that retain the heart of the genre while embracing a modern twist. Their repertoire includes airs, waltzes, and high-energy reels and jigs. The band chemistry of two accomplished, classically-trained fiddlers who share a common history as award winning Irish dancers, along with two instrumentalists who have sought to redefine traditional accompaniment and rhythm sections amounts to a compelling concert experience. Reverie Road released their much-anticipated debut, self-titled album in early 2024, which immediately made waves in the Irish Traditional music genre. Even before they completed their 25 city album launch tour across the U.S., the album was awarded the coveted “Debut Album of the Year” title by Ireland Tonight. In 2025, they were one of six recipients of the first Brian O’Donovan Legacy fund award.

EPSG:4326

Reverie Road

Blackstone River Theatre

In this collaborative performance, Professor Rajna Swaminathan (mrudangam, voice), ganavya doraiswamy (voice), and Utsav Lal (piano) explore multiple intersections among South Asian music, jazz/creative music, and other sound worlds. Having performed in one another's projects over the years, the trio format brings their creative voices into deeper dialogue. Original compositions by each artist will be featured, interwoven with expansive improvisations and innovative arrangements of music from their influences.

Rajna Swaminathan, Ganavya & Utsav Lal

University of California, Irvine

Ending their national album tour April 13 at BRT, Reverie Road is a fresh, eclectic Celtic powerhouse featuring founding Solas members fiddler Winifred Horan and accordionist John Williams, alongside former Gaelic Storm fiddler Katie Grennan, and Steinway artist Jazz and Raga pianist Utsav Lal. They are four of today’s leading traditional and virtuosic folk artists who have captured the hearts of international audiences from studios to stages over the last three decades. Embracing humor with their musical insight and natural abilities, Reverie Road offers a powerful mix including beautiful airs, upbeat reels and jigs, as well as original soundscapes that weave the roots of the Irish musical traditions with fresh new departures. The band chemistry features two accomplished fiddlers who share a common history as award-winning Irish dancers along with two instrumentalists who have sought to redefine rhythmic accompaniment. Winifred Horan played with Cherish the Ladies before co-founding the award winning and renowned American Irish band Solas. Accordionist John Williams, also a co-founder of Solas, is internationally regarded as one of the foremost players of Irish music today. With five All-Ireland titles to his credit, John is the only American-born competitor ever to win first place in the Senior Concertina category. Pianist Utsav Lal holds a Bachelors in Jazz from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and a Masters in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory of Music. Katie Grennan’s traditional fiddle playing carries the articulation of a gifted classical musician tempered by the soul of a champion Irish dancer. Katie was the fiddler in the popular celtic-fusion band Gaelic Storm for over five years.

Reverie Road is a fresh, eclectic Celtic combination, featuring fiddler Winifred Horan and accordionist John Williams (founding Solas members) alongside former Gaelic Storm fiddler Katie Grennan and Jazz and Raga pianist Utsav Lal (Young Steinway Artist).  This powerful combination is made up of four of today’s leading traditional and virtuosic folk artists who have captured the hearts of international audiences from studios to stages over the last three decades.  Firmly grounded in their collective Irish roots, Reverie Road embraces humor with musical insight and natural abilities. Original textural adventures weave the roots of Irish musical traditions with new departures and curated gems including distilled airs, continental waltzes, and upbeat reels and jigs. The band chemistry of two accomplished classically trained fiddlers who share a common history as award-winning Irish dancers along with two instrumentalists who have sought to redefine traditional accompaniment and rhythm sections amount to a compelling concert experience that will lift audiences’ hearts and have them on their feet.

Thrasher Opera House

ICMA is proud to collaborate with Stanford Jazz Festival to present Indian Jazz Journey, the wonderful musical collaboration between Indian classical music star Mahesh Kale and jazz saxophone virtuoso George Brooks. One of the most popular jazz events in the Bay Area, this annual concert blends jazz energy and Indian ragas and rhythms in a performance that transcends cultural and musical barriers. Mahesh and George will be joined on stage by amazing musicians, pianist Utsav Lal, tabla master Mayookh Bhaumik, guitarist Julian Coryell, and drummer Scott Amendola.

Indian Jazz Journey with Mahesh Kale, George Brooks, Utsav Lal, Mayookh Bhaumik, Julian Coryell, and Scott Amendola

Stanford University

Delivering the driving lilt and lift of Irish music, Reverie Road features Winifred Horan and John Williams, both formerly of Solas, and Katie Grennan and Utsav Lal in a newly-combined and unforgettable concert experience. Embracing humor with their musical insight and natural abilities, Reverie Road offers a powerful mix of curated gems including distilled airs, upbeat reels and jigs, as well as original soundscapes that weave the roots of the Irish musical traditions with fresh new departures. The band chemistry features two accomplished fiddlers who share a common history as award-winning Irish dancers along with two instrumentalists who have sought to redefine rhythmic accompaniment. Winifred Horan is an American violinist and fiddler of Irish descent. After classical training, she played with the all-female Celtic music ensemble Cherish the Ladies before co-founding the award winning and renowned American Irish band Solas. Accordionist John Williams, also a co-founder of Solas, is internationally regarded as one of the foremost players of Irish music today. With five All-Ireland titles to his credit, John is the only American-born competitor ever to win first place in the Senior Concertina category. Pianist Utsav Lal holds a Bachelors in Jazz from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and a Masters in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory of Music. He is recognized for his “Ragas to Reels” concert tours that bring together Indian classical music and traditional Irish music in a piano and flute combination. Katie Grennan’s traditional fiddle playing carries the articulation of a gifted classical musician tempered by the soul of a champion Irish dancer. Katie was the fiddler in the popular celtic-fusion band Gaelic Storm for over five years.

Reverie Road featuring Winifred Horan and John Williams

Jazz virtuoso George Brooks and Indian classical music star Mahesh Kale once again bring their popular collaboration to the Stanford Jazz Festival, reuniting to blend jazz energy and Indian ragas and rhythms in a performance that transcends cultural and musical barriers. Also featuring the remarkable Indian jazz musician Utsav Lal, the Raga Pianist, this performance of otherworldly sounds will create an unforgettable blend of jazz energy and Indian ragas and rhythms.

Pianist

Utsav Lal

Events

Past events

Mar 29, 2025

Reverie Road · Blackstone River Theatre

Feb 28, 2025

Rajna Swaminathan, Ganavya & Utsav Lal · UCI Department of Music

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