Daniel Neely

Daniel T. Neely is a musician and ethnomusicologist (New York University, Ph.D. 2008) with specialties in the musics of Ireland and Jamaica. Since 2008 he has been the Public Relations Officer of the Mid-Atlantic Region of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s North American Province, from 2011-2016 he was the artistic coordinator of the Augusta Irish Week, a Irish music camp in Elkins, West Virginia, and since 2021 he has been on the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee-based Ward Irish Music Archives, the largest public repository for Irish music in the United States.

He plays tenor banjo and fiddle, loves playing at sessions, and has been a member of both the Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra and the New York Céilí Band.  He has given invited lectures on this history of Irish music at Boston College, the Catskills Irish Arts Week, the Ward Irish Music Archives, Na Píobairí Uilleann in Dublin, Ireland, and elsewhere.

Latest Stories

A clear, focused, resonant voice A clear, focused, resonant voice
In the media yoke this week I’ve got “The Old Wood Road,” the solo debut by singer Evelyn O’Connell. Named for her County Kerry home townland of Kn...
Begley, O'Connor's album daringly challenges boundaries Begley, O'Connor's album daringly challenges boundaries
In the media yoke this week is “Into the Loam” by concertina player Cormac Begley and fiddle player Liam O’Connor. This one was really interesting....
Engaging debut remains essential Engaging debut remains essential
In the media yoke this week is “Vol. 1: Catchin’ the Tune” by The Irish Tradition. The trio, which included Billy McComiskey (button accordion and ...
Compilation showcases 6 women who elevate piping tradition Compilation showcases 6 women who elevate piping tradition
This week I’ve got a report on a few bits coming out of Dublin’s biggest archival institutions in Na Píobiarí Uilleann and the Irish Traditional Mu...
300 songs plus on calendar 300 songs plus on calendar
Sad news to begin with this week with the announcement that Bridget Flynn, of Flynn Irish Dance in Yonkers, has died. Flynn was a pillar of New Yor...
Music to enchant trad fans Music to enchant trad fans
In the media yoke this week is “Two For Joy” by fiddle player Sheila Garry and harpist Elaine Hogan. A follow up to their utterly gorgeous album “S...
Vallely's book puts bodhrán in fresh, compelling light Vallely's book puts bodhrán in fresh, compelling light
This week I’m off the sounds and into the pages! Coming off the book stack this installment is “Beating Time: The Story of the Irish Bodhrán” by Fi...
Conway's album 'Wallace Avenue' tells a compelling story Conway's album 'Wallace Avenue' tells a compelling story
In the media yoke this week is “Wallace Avenue,” the new album from fiddle virtuoso Brian Conway. Named after the street he grew up on in the Bronx...
Stunning high-octane collection Stunning high-octane collection
Ah, it’s the close of summer, the time of year when the kids go back to school, the weather begins to shift ever so slightly, and everyone gets bac...
Creative vision underpins debut Creative vision underpins debut
In the media yoke this week is “Ebb and Flow,” the solo debut from Maggie Carty. Carty is a brilliant banjo player and singer with a strong family ...
Innovation grounded in tradition Innovation grounded in tradition
In the media yoke this week is “The Dark Well” by Enda Scahill and Joel Andersson. This is an album unlike much else out there. Moody, engaging and...
ITMA is a bedrock institution ITMA is a bedrock institution
Back home after a great trip to Ireland, where I spent a week in Dublin getting stuck into a new research project! Over the course of these academi...



 



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