Biography

Gudrun Walther (vocals, fiddle, diatonic accordion)

was brought up in a musical family with Irish, German and French folk music and started to play traditional music on the fiddle at the age of six. Classical training provided a solid technical basis, but trad music is her first love. She started to play the button box after listening to Sharon Shannon and Andy Cutting and fell in love with that instrument. Singing is something that Gudrun has been doing all her life. Her parents recall her singing loudly in the pram, aged two, much to the neighbours’ amusement. Apparently she sang in English before she could speak the language.

Gudrun is one of Germany’s most sought-after and well-respected trad musicians. She plays German traditional music together with Cara’s Juergen Treyz in a band called ’Deitsch’, that earned them a big reputation in their home country. They are also part of Scottish-German band ’2duos’, alongside Aaron Jones (Old Blind Dogs) and Claire Mann (Ex-Tabache).

“Gudrun Walther could certainly hold her own in any Irish musical setting." (Dirty Linen Magazine)

Jeana Leslie (vocals, fiddle, piano)

from the beautiful island of Orkney was brought up surrounded by music. She sings in English, Scots and Gaelic and plays the piano and fiddle. Jeana studied for a BA (Hons) in Scottish Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and has been described as one of Scotland's shining new stars on the Scottish music scene.

It has been a whirlwind rise since winning the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2008 with her singing partner Siobhan Miller. Their debut album, 'In a Bleeze' (2008), was received exceptionally well winning them both the 'Up and Coming Artist of the Year' award at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards and the Hancock 'Horizon Award for Best Newcomer' (2009). They were nominated in the 'Horizon' category for the BBC Folk Awards 2009.

Ryan Murphy (pipes, flute, whistles)

from Co.Cork in the South of Ireland is one of the most talented young musicians to emerge on the vibrant Irish trad music scene. His main instrument is the uilleann pipes, but he also plays flute, whistles, and saxophone. He has won an impressive total of seven All-Ireland and two Oireachtas titles on the pipes.

Apart from playing with Cara, he is also a founding member of the young Irish band and powerhouse that is Éalú. Ryan holds a Diploma in Traditional Irish Music Performance from the London College of Music and is currently studying at the Irish World Academy of Music in Limerick, Irish Music and Dance, under Dr. Michael O'Suilleabhán.

Juergen Treyz (guitars, backing vocals)

studied guitar at the MGI in Munich. During that time he also became engaged with traditional and medieval music. In 1993 he founded the artes recording studio which specializes in acoustic and traditional music.

Being involved in radio plays, theatre plays and TV productions as a guitarist, composer and arranger, he has published over 50 albums with his own music. He was repeatedly rewarded with the renowned German Critics Award, last in 2009 for the new ‘Deitsch’ album ‘Heimat’ which he produced together with Gudrun.

Rolf Wagels (bodhrán)

is rated among the best bodhrán players of continental Europe and a founding member of German based bands Steampacket and DeReelium. He played in Germany and Ireland with numerous German and Irish acts as a guest or studio musician (Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Altan), Kevin Crawford (Lunasa), Conor Byrne, Joe Burke & Anne Conroy, Ian Smith & Steven Campbell, More Maids, Jens Kommnick & Siobhan Kennedy and An Tor among others). He also appeared on Irish and German TV, including the great TG4 documentation about bodhrán maker Seamus O'Kane. In 2007 he was asked to present the bodhrán in a well-attended workshop and lecture at the acclaimed Royal Northern College in Manchester.
Rolf is a well sought after teacher for the bodhrán in Germany and Europe and in June 2005 he was invited as the first non-Irish teacher to teach at the renowned Bodhrán Summerschool "Craiceann" on Inis Oirr (Aran Islands). He is invited to come back ever since.