Harry Bradley (musician) facts for kids

Harry Bradley was born in 1974 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is a talented Irish musician, famous for playing the Irish flute. He also plays the uilleann pipes, which are a special type of Irish bagpipes.

Harry's Musical Journey

Harry started playing music when he was 12 years old. He first learned the tin whistle, and then moved on to the flute in his early teenage years. He was inspired by local musicians and old recordings of Irish music from America. Other flute players like Noel Lenaghan, Michael Clarkson, Sam Murray, and Brendan O'Hare also encouraged him.

Harry has traveled all over Europe and America. He performs music by himself and also teaches others how to play. He has also been a member of well-known music groups like Dervish and Cran.

His first solo album, called Bad Turns and Horse-shoe Bends, came out in 2000. It was highly praised and even chosen as the best traditional album of that year by Earle Hitchner from New York's Irish Echo newspaper.

Besides the flute, Harry is also a dedicated player of the uilleann pipes. He used to be on the board of directors for Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU), which is a group for uilleann pipers. He also taught people how to play the pipes there. In 2014, Harry was honored as the TG4 Musician of the Year, which is a big award in Irish music.

Harry's Music Albums

Harry Bradley has released many albums, both by himself and with other musicians. Here are some of his recordings:

Solo Albums

• 2000 Bad Turns and Horse-shoe Bends
• 2002 As I Carelessly Did Stray
• 2006 The Night Rambler’s Companion (This album featured guest musicians like Paul O'Shaughnessy on fiddle, Emmet Gill on uilleann pipes, and Mary Corcoran on piano.)

Collaborative Albums

Harry has also worked with other great musicians on these albums:

• 2003 The Tap Room Trio (He played in a trio with Jessie Smith and John Blake.)
• 2005 ...Born for Sport (This was a duo album with Paul O'Shaughnessy.)
• 2009 The Pleasures of Hope – Flute Music From Belfast and Beyond (A duo with Michael Clarkson.)
• 2013 The First of May (He collaborated with James Carty on fiddle, Sean Gavin on flutes, and Colm Gannon on accordion and melodeon.)
• 2016 The Forest of Ornaments (This was a special piece he created with Dave Flynn. It was released on an album called Shadowplay – New Irish Music for Flute and Guitar.)

With the Band Altan

Harry has also played on albums with the famous Irish band Altan:

• 2002 The Blue Idol
• 2012 Gleann Nimhe - The Poison Glen