Johnny B. Connolly

Johnny B. Connolly was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland and has been immersed in Irish traditional music since he was eight years old. By the age of 15 he was a regular feature around his hometown, performing with musicians sometimes twice his age. Johnny’s dexterity on the accordion earned him a slot with established Celtic ensemble Anam at the age of 17. For the next two years, he continued to build his reputation back home in Dublin’s trad music scene and abroad with Anam, touring festivals throughout Europe and Ireland.In 1996 the 21-year-old Johnny seized an opportunity to bring his skills to America.

Leaving Anam, he crossed the ocean to join fiddler Patrick Ourceau in New York for a four-month stint through New York City and Boston. In 1997, Johnny merged his talents with those of guitarist Aidan Brennan, forming a duo that entertained festival audiences across the United States from Alaska to Louisiana to Colorado.

Heading further west, Johnny eventually made his home in Portland, Oregon. A friendship with Kevin Burke, legendary Irish fiddler and fellow Portland resident, led to Johnny’s signing with Green Linnet Records in 2001. His CD Bridgetown was released to universally glowing reviews. A collection of traditional Irish and French tunes, the album features guest appearances by Burke and production by guitarist Ged Foley.

In 2014 Johnny joined the internationally acclaimed Irish band Solas and is featured on their latest CD All These Years.

Johnny has toured  with such artists as Eammon McElholm, Kevin Burke, Nuala Kennedy ,Tony Furtado, Aidan Brennan, and Casey Neill.