Paddy Keenan

Paddy is an old friend who’s been making the trip stateside for our listening pleasure for decades. While no one’s quite sure how many such trips he’s got left in him, we’re thrilled to have him now! 

Master Irish Uilleann piper and co-founder of the incomparable Bothy Band (who just had a successful reunion), Paddy is unique. He comes from a travelling family steeped in traditional music. Paddy took up the pipes at the age of ten, playing his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin when he was only 14. Paddy’s flowing, open-fingered style of playing can be traced directly from the style of such great travelling pipers as Johnny Doran; both Paddy’s father and grandfather played in the same style. His own style is highly influenced by his father’s tutelage.