Bio

Born in Burnfort near Mallow in Co. Cork in 1963, John lived there until he was 23. He moved to work in Cavan in 1986 and spent 11 years there before moving to Chicago, where he has lived since 1997.

John first learned the fiddle in 1975 from Munster music teacher, Limerick man Sean O’ Carroll (1920 - 1997). He had been learning tin whistle and accordian for almost two years until one night, to his great surprise, O’Cearbhuill produced a fiddle in class and played.

“None of us knew our teacher played the fiddle, and to this day, I can remember precisely what hearing his music did to me. I could not get my hands on a violin soon enough, and though we failed to generate enough interest to form a class, Sean did everything he possibly could to teach me. This album is dedicated to his memory.”

John was introduced to Kerry fiddle player Johnny Cronin by his father in the 80’s. “Cronin was in all respects a formidable character, and his music was loaded with expression and warmth.” Around the same time he became interested in the playing of Andy McGann from New York and Longford man Paddy Reynolds who has spent over 50 years in New York. “I have come to know Paddy Reynolds very well, and though I did not get to know Andy, their playing, their love for and treatment of the music is what it’s all about for me.” The early Sean McGuire recordings also grabbed John’s interest as a young boy, and many of his favourite compositions come from Leitrim’s Charlie and Maurice Lennon as well as Chicagoan Liz Carroll.

In the late 80’s and early 90’s John became aware of Shetland master Willie Hunter, who soon became his strongest influence in the playing of slow airs. “Hunter was an incredible air-player, and perhaps the best description I heard of Hunter came from fellow Shetlander (one of Hunter’s students), Davie Keith who said: “When Hunter played an air, folk listened.”

In 1997 John moved to Chicago and became an integral, defining part of the local traditional music scene. The energy he has brought to Chicago is infectious. From coffee-fueled late night house sessions, to world class performances in his new “Live Tradition” concert series, John is enriching Chicago’s musical roots and helping to maintain one of the most vibrant Irish music scenes outside of Ireland. Just as the music does, the lift that John brings to musicians and fans draws communities together and significantly widens circles of friendship, turning possibility into reality for his friends and himself.