James Kelly is an Irish traditional fiddler from Ireland. He learns his music from his father, John Kelly, a fiddle and concertina player from County Clare, and begins recording and touring at sixteen. In that period he wins first place in the “Fiddler of the Year” competition and records his first album, a duet with his brother John.

Career

Kelly tours in Europe, the US, Canada and South America. He performs with a number of Irish groups, including Patrick Street and Planxty, and appears several times with The Chieftains. He also presents the “Pure Drop” television series for Irish TV and performs on Garrison Keillor’s radio programme A Prairie Home Companion.

Awards and releases

He receives the Florida Folk Heritage Award and the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship in Folk Arts Award. He is also named TG4 Irish traditional musician of the year, receiving the “Gradam Ceoil TG4 2006 Irish Musician of the Year” award. He has 18 albums to his credit, including Melodic Journeys.

Other work

Kelly works on a teaching DVD for fiddle students and compiles more than 800 of his compositions for publication. He continues to tour with leading accompanists in Irish music.