Z O É   B A S H A

Zoé Basha is a Leitrim-based musician, composer and carpenter, of French-American origins. Drawing from her background as a traditional singer influenced and inspired by the multiple cultures embedded in her sound, Zoé Basha blends traditional Appalachian, Occitan and Irish singing with Piedmont blues and jazz. Accompanied by musicians Erin Hennessey on fiddle and Anna Mullarkey on keys, performances are an ensemble of traditional songs and original compositions: instruments toying with each other and voices booming with intimate and unexpected harmonies, wilderness and dynamic fervour.

After growing up between the U.S. and France, then studying as a vocalist at Berklee College of Music in Boston where she focused primarily on blues and jazz, Zoé moved to Ireland and fell into traditional singing in Dublin. In a milieu blending political dissent, feminism, queer theory and traditional music, she made her home. Since then, she has been working on both music and carpentry between Ireland and France. 

From 2019 to 2023, Zoé was a member of vocal trio Rufous Nightjar, with collaborators

Anna Mieke Bishop and Branwen Kavanagh.
In 2023, Zoé was selected by Music Network and glór Arts Centre as the RESONATE musician-in-residence, to continue development of new works blending airs and style of Irish traditional song, rhythm and harmonies of Occitan polyphonic singing, and the sway and singing technique of Appalachian ballads, with blues and jazz music.