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Called "one of the greatest musicians to ever come out of Ireland," vocalist/guitarist Paul Duffy will team up with Dan Cartlidge on the Irish drum and Teresa Hassard on the fid- dle to celebrate an early St. Patrick's Day on Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Sarasota. The church is located at 3975 Fruitville Road. Tickets, which are $15, include a compli- mentary wine and cheese reception in the church courtyard with the artists, a news release says. For more information, call 371- 4974 or visit uusarasota.org/duffyconcert. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the BackPack Kids program of All Faiths Food Bank, which provides meals for underprivi- leged children in the Sarasota area. "Duffy is known for presenting a multi-fac- eted program of Irish lore, sea shanties and folksongs," the release explains. He toured the world with the Irish rock band The Commitments for six years, it adds. A musician, composer and vocalist, Duffy was born, literally, under the big tent. His parents were Irish circus entertainers; he was delivered by a midwife after a performance in North Donegal, the release notes. "Their act was called Duffy's International Circus and he was the youngest person to walk the tightrope while playing the saxophone — self-taught, of course," the release continues. He was only 9 years old. At 17, he played sax for the popular Irish band The Miami Showband. At 21, he joined The Irishmen "and gained a reputation around Dublin as a talented and reliable studio musi- cian," the release points out. "At 26, Duffy started his own band, MPH, with his siblings. Noticed by a promoter while he was touring with MPH in Texas, Duffy received an invita- tion to tour internationally with the legendary Irish band, The Commitments, and remained with the group for the next six years, the release continues. Duffy plays the saxophone, trumpet, flute, guitar, keyboards, drums, bass, tin whistle and bagpipes, the release adds. Duffy was the owner of the Irish Rover in Sarasota until its closing in 2011. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH TO HOST ST. PATRICK'S TRIBUTE Paul Duffy/Contributed photo Sarasota News Leader February 28, 2014 Page 116