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

3 must-haves are made even better 3 must-haves are made even better
Ooh, it’s a good one this week! Up first, we have “The Dreamer,” the new tune book from Chicago-based pianist and accordion player Marty Fahey. Fah...
WB3 are just right for the season WB3 are just right for the season
First off, congratulations are due to 2021 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award winners Ye Vagabonds (Best Traditional Folk Track, “I’m a Rover”; Best Folk Group...
IAC has knocked it out of the park IAC has knocked it out of the park
Last Friday I went to the Irish Arts Center to attend “The Gratitude Sessions,” a pre-opening performance and celebration of the organization’s bra...
Video series leads to lovely album Video series leads to lovely album
A couple of sad notes to begin this week. Gregg Burnett, one of the great champions of Irish traditional music, has passed away. A multi-instrument...
Rakish album is polished, accessible Rakish album is polished, accessible
The column has lately noted the passing of far too many important musicians, and it saddens me to have to do it again: the great County Clare singe...
 Tracks thought lost have been found Tracks thought lost have been found
Regular readers of this column know how much I dig a good vintage release, and that’s exactly what we have this week in “Taisce Luachmhar (Valuable...
‘Dial’ team do truly fabulous job ‘Dial’ team do truly fabulous job
Deaths just seem to come in threes, don’t they? Just after learning about the passing of Robin Morton and Tony MacMahon last week came news of the ...
Accordionist Keane is a fine writer, too Accordionist Keane is a fine writer, too
“Horse” is the new project from the great Chicago accordionist Jimmy Keane. A collection of recordings chronicling Keane’s musical experience 1968 ...
‘Easy Way Down’ is an intimate but bold affair  ‘Easy Way Down’ is an intimate but bold affair 
From the world of traditional music this week I bring news of the Murphy Beds' new album, "Easy Way Down." The ‘Beds, who are Eamon O’Leary (vocals...
Crowley follows up 2015 book with 2-set disc of songs Crowley follows up 2015 book with 2-set disc of songs
A couple weeks ago, I was in Cobh, Co. Cork sitting in the kitchen of Jimmy Crowley, looking out on the harbor and having an old catch up with the ...
Burren’s O’Connell offers ‘fireside view’ Burren’s O’Connell offers ‘fireside view’
This week I’ve got something new and quite interesting to discuss: “I Remember It All,” the forthcoming audiobook from Oliver O’Connell. Exploring ...
Concertinas taking center stage Concertinas taking center stage
This week things are coming up concertinas! Many of this column’s readers – especially those down in the Mid-Atlantic states – likely got to know c...

 

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