Iona  was created in 1989. The name- Iona is from a small island off the coast of Scotland.  The band combines rock, folk, ethnic  and atmospheric sounds with Celtic and progressive influences which IMHO raises the group above the simple Celtic Rock bands that have been unleashed on the music industry during the 90's. The group features the gorgeous voice of Joanne Hogg- a Northern Ireland vocal contest winner as well as being voted  best  female  vocalist  by the classic rock society for three years.

Led by master-musician  David Bainbridge-  born in 1959,  who  is part of a talented musical family (his sister sang with Jimi Hendrix); Dave learned his craft from the Leeds College of Music. Working on Adran Snell's album- `Alpha and Omega,- he met Joanne Hogg in 1988 and a year later, the nucleus of the band Iona  with co-founder-  David Fitzgerald. - Iona was formed.

The debut Iona album was simply called `Iona'-   and included: drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs (former bassist of Kajagoogoo) and  session players:  Fiona Davidson (Celtic harp), Peter Whitfield (strings), Troy Donockley (pipes) and Frank Van Essen (tuned percussion). The album  did not sell well, but the band created a small following in the Netherlands.

The next album- `Book of Kells,'  was a much more stronger and successful release and was received well in the US as well as the UK..

In 1992, co-founder-   David Fitzgerald left in 1992 to pursue a degree in music, upon  waiting for a replacement, the band invited Robert Fripp ( King Crimson),  to help them out on the less jazz-influenced  album-  `Beyond These Shores.' 

Soon after Iona was signed by  England's Alliance Music  and in 1995, `Journey into the Morn,'  was released  (and in 1996 in US and Canada). Sales increased as touring and word of mouth spread about the band's talent.

Fitzgerald  rejoined the band in  1995, when he released the solo album `Columcille.'

`Journey Into the Morn,'   received critical acclaim  and was  listed among the top five folk albums in Q magazine's Year End Review and even more importantly gained a place in their Top 50 Albums of the Year. The band toured extensively  at the end of 1996, then released-  `Heaven's Bright Sun,'  a   two hour  group of  tracks from each of their four studio albums and  and breathed new life into them.  Phil Barker  was the new bassist, and the band added  Mike Haughton (saxophones/flutes/whistles) as well as Troy Donockley  added  guitars to his  mastery of the whistles and uillean pipes. Iona began being talked about in Christian Rock web sites and avenues.

The next album was a live one called- `Woven Cord,'  recorded at the Festival Hall in London in May 1999.  The gig included  the All Souls  Orchestra for their 10 year anniversary celebration.

The band's seventh album- `Open Sky,'   contained  the same consistency of strong compositions and beauty.  The music combines epic progressive rock with Celtic instruments and subjects,  with jazz and new age influences.  The album is highlighted by the instrumental- "Woven Cord."

Iona created Open Sky Records, their own independent record label, set up towards the end of 2001 to release their own projects in a more controlled fashion.

In 2002, the band released a 4 CD box set anthology of their work.  The band didn't tour as Joanne  was pregnant and had a child.

On  November  18,  2004,  Iona   filmed a concert at London University for their  first full concert DVD  which  was  released in  April  2006-  receiving  excellent  reviews.

Recently  Dave  Bainbridge released a fantastic diverse solo album  entitled- `Veil of  Gossamer.' The album combines  classic progressive instrumentals with the beautiful Celtic influences of Iona. It also features  other features singers and musicians such as: Mae McKenna  (singing Gaelic) and Rachael Jones (from the band Karnataka). A very strong solo effort  and a nice bridge to the next Iona   album  rumored in the works. I can't wait.

In  2006, the band finished  touring in  Holland  and Belgium-  a new album  is  being produced in Los Angeles entitled-  The Circling Hour. 

Arena Discography:

Iona  1990 

The Book of Kells  1992

Beyond These Shores  1993

Journey Into the Morn  1995

Treasures: The Very Best  1996

Heaven's Bright Sun   1997

Woven Cord  1999

Open Sky   2000

Live in London   DVD   2006