Three of Celtic music's most respected musicians -- Billy McComiskey, Liz Carroll, and Daithi Sproule -- joined together to form Scottish folk music supergroup Trian. While tied to traditional music, the trio has used superb musicianship to take the traditions a step further. The foundation of Trian's sound rests with virtuosic fiddler Carroll and guitarist/vocalist Sproule. A recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, Carroll had garnered acclaim for her well-crafted solo recordings. Derry-born and Minnesota-based Sproule is one of Celtic music's most distinguished instrumentalists. A member of Altan, Sproule has accompanied such stellar players as James Kelly, Tommy Peoples, Seamus and Manus McGuire, Kevin Burke, and Matt Molloy. As a founding member, along with Micheál Ó Domhnaill, Tríona Ní Domhnaill, and Maighread Ní Domhnaill, of early-'70s Irish band Skara Brae, he was essential to the rise of modern Celtic music. He came to the United States for the first time in 1978 to record with James Kelly and Paddy O'Brien. ~ Craig Harris