James Keane (musician) facts for kids
James Keane (born February 7, 1948) is a famous Irish traditional musician. He plays the accordion, an instrument that makes music when you push and pull bellows. He is so well-known that an Italian company, Castagnari, even named a special line of accordions after him, called the keanebox.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
James Keane was born in Drimnagh, a part of Dublin City, Ireland. He started playing music very young, at just six years old. He could even hum tunes before he could talk! His family home in Dublin was a popular spot for traditional musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.
James's parents were both fiddle players. They came from musical areas in County Longford and County Clare. They often welcomed famous musicians from all over Ireland to their home. These visits greatly influenced James and his brother, Seán, who later became a fiddler for the famous band, The Chieftains. Their summer trips to Longford and Clare also helped them connect with the roots of Irish music.
By the time he was ten, James was already a regular performer in Dublin's traditional music scene. He played with legendary musicians like Séamus Ennis and Leo Rowsome. They helped him improve his skills. While still a teenager, James helped start the Castle Céilí Band. A céilí band plays lively Irish dance music. This band became one of Ireland's most celebrated music groups. They won many competitions, including the All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band competition in Thurles in 1965.
James also won several accordion championships. He won the senior Accordion Championship in Dundalk three years in a row: 1964, 1965, and 1966. He also won the All-Ireland junior (under 18) Championship at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar in 1963.
Moving to the United States
In 1967, Keane moved to New York City in the United States. He wanted to play music in the lively Irish music scene there. This was part of a bigger movement called the American folk music revival.
In 1979, Keane moved to Nova Scotia, Canada. He started playing with a Canadian folk group called Ryan's Fancy. He played accordion on two songs for their 1979 album. In 1980, he officially joined the band. He toured with them and appeared on their albums Sea People (1980) and Dance Around This One (1981). He also appeared on several CBC TV specials. Keane left the band shortly before they broke up in 1983.
Keane then moved back to New York City. He became a key part of the traditional music scene there. He played in many bands, including the Ellis Island Céilí Band. This band was formed for a special celebration honoring the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.
In 1991, James Keane was named "Traditionalist of the Year" by The Irish Echo newspaper. His album Sweeter as the Years Roll By was also chosen as one of the top twenty traditional albums of the last twenty years by Irish America magazine.
He is also a founding member of Fingal, a well-known music group with Randal Bays and Dáithí Sproule. He often tours, performing music and giving talks at colleges. He teaches about the history of Irish traditional music. He has been invited back to Ireland many times for awards and performances. One special trip was when Dublin was named a European Capital of Culture by the EU. In 2004, a special event honored Keane. Important people, including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who was Ireland's prime minister, attended this event.
Music Albums
James Keane has released many albums, both by himself and with other musicians.
Solo Albums
- The Irish Accordion of James Keane (1972) Rex Heritage
- Roll Away the Reel World (1980) Green Linnet
- That's the Spirit (1994) Green Linnet
- Toss the Feathers (1996) Green Linnet (This album was not released)
- With Friends Like These (1998) Shanachie
- Sweeter as the Years Roll By (1999) Shanachie
- James Keane & Friends - Live in Dublin (2002) Lavalla Records (recorded in 1998)
- Heir of the Dog (2012) New Folk Records
Group Album
- Fingal (2008) New Folk Records (with Randal Bays and Dáithí Sproule)
Artist Compilations
These albums feature James Keane along with other artists.
- Live at the Embankment (1965) (Keane played with Dónal Lunny)
- Sweet and Traditional Music of Ireland (1971)
- Irish Traditional Instrumental Music (1997) Rounder Records
- The Rights of Man (1991) (This was a concert for Joe Doherty)
- Atlantic Wave (1997) Kells
- The Boston College Gaelic Roots (1997) Kells Music
- The Tocane Concerts (2000) (with Kieran Hanrahan)
Books & CD
- Menus & Music, the Irish Isle (1996) (music arranged and performed by James Keane with Sharon O'Connor, Séamus Egan, Winifred Horan, Sue Richards)
