Bobby Gardiner facts for kids

Bobby Gardiner (born in 1939) is a famous Irish musician. He plays the accordion and is also known for a special type of singing called "lilting." For over 25 years, he has taught traditional Irish music at University College Cork.

Bobby Gardiner's Life and Music

Early Musical Journey

Bobby Gardiner was born in 1939 in a place called Aughdarra, in County Clare, Ireland. His mother, Dilly, played a German two-row concertina. From her, Bobby learned his very first tune. Later, his brother showed him a new Hohner accordion. After that, Bobby bought his own grey Paolo Soprani accordion.

When Bobby was 15, he was invited to join the Kilfenora Céilí Band. A "Céilí Band" is a group of musicians who play traditional Irish music for dancing. In 1957, he joined Malachy Sweeney's Céilí Band from Armagh. He then traveled all over Ireland as a professional musician.

Moving to America

In 1960, Bobby moved to New Haven, Connecticut, in the United States. His brother Mike and sister Mary were already living there. During the day, Bobby worked as a mechanic on the New York Railway. In the evenings, he played music for dances. He performed with many famous musicians like Paddy Killoran and Joe Cooley. He also recorded music for a company called Colonial Records.

Bobby's solo recording career began when someone named Justus O'Byrne De Witt heard him play. He then recorded his first album, "Memories of Clare." This was one of the first solo albums by an Irish accordion player. The album was very popular, and he was asked to record more music.

In 1963, Bobby joined the US Army. He was stationed in New Jersey. On his weekends off, he would visit the Catskill Mountains in New York. There, he continued to play music with other well-known musicians.

Family Life and Return to Ireland

Bobby got married in Dublin, Ireland, on St. Patrick's Day in 1969. His wife, Ann Kearney, is a singer from Tipperary. The couple returned to America, where their first daughter, Kelley, was born. A year later, they moved back to Ireland. They settled in Burncourt, a small village in Tipperary. There, they had two more daughters, Fiodhna and Lynda.

All of Bobby's children are talented musicians. They continue the Irish music tradition, playing instruments like the melodeon, whistles, and concertina. In 2009, his daughter Fiodhna performed for the Irish president, Mary McAleese, with her band, Inis Oirr.

Touring and Teaching

Over the years, Bobby Gardiner made more recordings, including "The Master's Choice" and "The Clare Shout." He has also traveled widely with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. This is an organization that promotes traditional Irish music. He is also a member of the Brú Ború Troupe in Cashel, County Tipperary. With these groups, he has toured in many countries, including China, Japan, Spain, Canada, and the US.

Bobby is an active accordion teacher in Tipperary, Waterford, and Limerick. He was invited by the pianist Micheal O'Suilleabhain to teach traditional music at University College Cork. He has been teaching there for over 25 years. Some of his former students include Ciarán Ó Gealbháin and Benny McCarthy, who were both part of the famous band Danú.

Bobby Gardiner's Playing Style

Understanding His Accordion Sound

Bobby Gardiner plays what is called a wet tuned accordion. This means the accordion has a rich, vibrant sound. He was one of the first Irish accordion players to master the B/C accordion tuning.

Rhythm and Lilting

Bobby Gardiner's playing style is perfect for Irish dancing. This is because he has amazing rhythm and is very creative. He often uses a special musical technique called the single-button triplet, which is a quick burst of three notes. This has become his unique musical signature.

On his album "The Clare Shout," Bobby also features the one-row melodeon. He also showcases the traditional art form of lilting, or mouth music. In the past, lilting was used to provide music for dancers when other instruments were not available.

Bobby Gardiner's Albums

Albums by Bobby Gardiner

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