James Kelly, a native of Ireland, is one of the finest Irish traditional fiddlers of our time. Born in Dublin, James grew up listening to and playing traditional Irish music. His father, John Kelly, the renowned fiddle and concertina player from Co. Clare, began teaching James to play at the age of 3. James' father was also a founding member, with Sean O'Riada, of "Ceoltoiri Cualann", a … [Read more...] about James Kelly
2017
John Liestman
John Liestman has been playing Irish traditional music on the tenor banjo, mandolin, and uilleann pipes for over 30 years. He taught mandolin in 2011, 2012 and 2015 at the prestigious O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat, at the 2015 St Louis Tionol, and is an instructor with the Houston School of Irish Music. Over the years he has been a member of Terry and the Pirates, Claddagh (featuring Olcan … [Read more...] about John Liestman
Billy McComiskey
In September 2016, Billy McComiskey received the National Heritage Fellowship award from the National Endowment for the Arts. This award is the highest honor presented to a traditional artist in the United States. Billy is a world-renowned accordion, or “box” player and composer who was taught by the great Sean McGlynn, a master of the East Galway style of Irish traditional music. It … [Read more...] about Billy McComiskey
Maldon Meehan
Maldon Meehan is a performer, teacher and choreographer of Irish sean-nós and set dance. Maldon holds a BA in Irish Studies/Theater Arts from The Evergreen State College and a MA in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick, Ireland. She has been teaching since 1994. She is a 2008 Regional Arts and Cultures grant recipient. As a sean-nós dancer Maldon has appeared on the nationally … [Read more...] about Maldon Meehan
Jonathan Milton
Jonathan Milton is a performer, composer, and arranger of traditional and modern instrumental music. A veteran Irish flute and guitar player on the Austin scene, he’s an in-demand session musician, having played on records ranging from traditional Irish to singer-songwriter to rockabilly to electronic pop. Milton’s solo album, “Just One More,” was released in 2013 to critical acclaim. He’s … [Read more...] about Jonathan Milton
Jeff Moore
Jeff Moore has been playing guitar for the past 40 years and is one of the Southwest's most notable Irish musicians, having performed with many local Celtic music ensembles, as well as international touring musicians such as James Keane, John Williams, Liz Carroll, Johnny B. Connolly, James Kelly, Joe Burke and Oisín Mac Diarmada. He has developed a distinct style of accompaniment, using … [Read more...] about Jeff Moore
Alan Murray
Alan Murray hails from Glasgow, Scotland, where he was introduced to the tinwhistle at an early age. He eventually turned to the guitar as his primary instrument, and later expanded his arsenal to include the bouzouki. Alan studied instrument building and repair in Glasgow for two years, after which he moved to the US to further pursue his musical career. He was soon playing and recording with … [Read more...] about Alan Murray
Brendan Nolan
Brendan Nolan is a true Dubliner. He grew up in Ireland at a time when there was a resurgence of interest in Irish music and when the singer-songwriter boom had taken off in North America. Both of these genres would ultimately influence his own music. After starting out in the vibrant Dublin Ballad scene, he moved to Canada in 1979. He made his mark in Montreal where he was the "House … [Read more...] about Brendan Nolan
Brian Ó hAirt
Brian Ó hAirt's style of concertina playing reflects his love of West Galway, where he spent a good deal of his formative years involved with the Irish language and music community of southern Conamara--a district with its fair share of melodeon players, singers, and dancers. Understandably, his style mimics much of the phrasing, lift, and drive of melodeon music while clearly influenced by … [Read more...] about Brian Ó hAirt
Tony O’Connell
Tony O'Connell began to play music at the age of eight. He hails from Glin in West Limerick and has strong family ties to Brosna in County Kerry, where he now lives. Tony is a self-taught concertina player and won his first All-Ireland title at age 13. He went on to win the under-18 titles for three consecutive years and then brought home the prestigious senior all-Ireland title at the age of 18. … [Read more...] about Tony O’Connell