James Kelly (fiddler) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Kelly
Kelly playing in Miami, 1989
Background information
Native name	Séamus Ó Ceallaigh
Born	1957 Capel Street, Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Folk Traditional Irish
Occupation(s)	Musician composer collector researcher teacher
Instruments	Fiddle
Years active	1971–present
Labels	Claddagh Records Gael Linn Green Linnet Records Rounder Records Shanachie Records Tara Music
Associated acts	Ceoltóirí Laigheann Kinvara Bowhand Patrick Street Planxty
Parent(s)	John Kelly Frances Hilliard

James Kelly (born in 1957) is a famous Irish fiddler from Dublin. He is also a composer (someone who writes music), a collector of old tunes, a researcher, and a teacher. Many people consider him one of the best Irish traditional fiddlers alive. Cathy Benton, a music professor, even called him "one of the top 10 fiddlers in the world." James Kelly is the son of John Kelly, who was also a well-known fiddler from County Clare. James has played with several famous music groups, including Patrick Street and Planxty.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

James Kelly was born in Capel Street, Dublin, in 1957. He grew up in a very musical family. His father, John Kelly, played both the fiddle and the concertina. John Kelly was also one of the people who helped start the group Ceoltóirí Chualann. James's mother, Frances Hilliard, was from Shillelagh, County Wicklow.

James was one of five children, and all of them became musicians. James, along with his siblings Michael, John Jnr, and Marianne, played the fiddle. His brother Anthony played the uileann pipes, which are a type of Irish bagpipes. When James was only three years old, his father started teaching him to play the fiddle. In 1960, his father bought him a special fiddle that was made in 1812.

James Kelly's Music Career

James Kelly began his music career at a young age. In 1971, when he was just 14, he started performing and recording for RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster. By the time he was 16, he won first place in the Fiddler of the Year competition. That same year, he recorded his first album with his brother John. It was called John & James Kelly: Irish Traditional Fiddle Music.

Around this time, James joined a group called Ceoltóirí Laigheann. His father, John, was also in this group, along with other talented musicians like Paddy O'Brien and Mary Bergin. They recorded two albums together. The first, The Crooked Road, was a live recording from a concert in 1973. The second album, The Star Of Munster, came out in 1975. This album became very important in Irish music.

Moving to the US and New Groups

In 1978, James Kelly moved to the United States. For the next three years, he toured the US with Paddy O'Brien and Dáithí Sproule. They were part of a group called Bowhand. This group recorded two albums: Is It Yourself in 1979 and Spring In The Air in 1982.

In 1982, James joined the famous Irish folk group Planxty. He played on their album Words & Music, which was released in 1983. That same year, he also played on the album Sail Óg Rua by Dolores Keane and John Faulkner. James was also part of a group called Kinvara with Keane, Faulkner, and accordion player Jackie Daly, but they never officially recorded under that name. In 1985, he recorded with Danny McGinley on his album In Our Time.

Solo Albums and Collaborations

James Kelly released his first solo album in 1989. It was called Capel Street, named after the street where he was born. Many musicians helped him on this album, playing instruments like the bodhrán (an Irish drum), piano, guitar, and harp.

For a while, James was also a member of the group Patrick Street. In 1990, he recorded on their album Irish Times. This album included their well-known version of the song "Music for a Found Harmonium". That same year, James performed at the Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival. A live album from this event, My Love Is In America, was released in 1991. In 1995, he recorded The Ring Sessions album with Zan McLeod.

In 1996, James released his second solo album, simply titled James Kelly. This album featured other great musicians, including Paddy Keenan on pipes.

Awards and Compositions

In 2001, James Kelly received the Florida Folk Heritage Award. This award recognized his amazing musical talent. He released his third solo album, Melodic Journeys, in 2004. This album was recorded in Miami, Florida. In 2006, he won the TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year Award. This is a very important award in Irish traditional music.

Besides performing, James Kelly is also a talented composer. He has written over 800 tunes! In 2009, he published his first book of compositions. It was called 101 Traditional Irish Dance Tunes Composed by James Kelly, Volume 1. This book includes many different types of traditional Irish dances, like jigs, reels, and hornpipes. In 2010, his two albums with Ceoltóirí Laigheann, The Crooked Road and The Star Of Munster, were re-released as a double CD called Cnuas.

Personal Life

James Kelly moved from Dublin to Miami in 1984. He met his American-born wife, Eve, there. They have a son named Timothy and a daughter named Sarah. Sarah also plays the fiddle, following in her father's footsteps. For a while, James and Eve owned a gift shop together.

Discography

Awards and Nominations

Florida Folklife Program

Gradam Ceoil TG4