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

Brilliant, accessible Dublin event Brilliant, accessible Dublin event
Folks, leading off this week to report that piano accordion player extraordinaire Jimmy Keane was Enda Scahill’s guest on this month’s installment ...
Step-dancer O'Riley is a brilliant choice for ITMA's Saothar series Step-dancer O'Riley is a brilliant choice for ITMA's Saothar series
Each month, the Irish Traditional Music Archive showcases an artist composing new works in the traditional idiom in a series they call “Saothar.” L...
Kennedy's songs are formidable Kennedy's songs are formidable
It’s always a good week when I have a new release from Nuala Kennedy to write about, and it just so happens that in the media player this week is a...
Eight Feet Tall's work gives music and dance equal prominence Eight Feet Tall's work gives music and dance equal prominence
Starting this week with the sad news of the untimely passing of Barry Lynch. Lynch was a gifted multi-instrumentalist, involved over the years with...
Very high standard on display at lively Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Very high standard on display at lively Mid-Atlantic Fleadh
Congratulations to the the Mid-Atlantic Region of Comhatas Ceoltóirí Éireann on another successful Mid-Atlantic Fleadh! It was a heartwarming scene...
Top traditional fiddler Conway plays highly nuanced music Top traditional fiddler Conway plays highly nuanced music
The news of the sudden passing of the fiddling legend Seán Keane spread quickly on Sunday. Keane (b.1946) was one of the greats. The brother to but...
Mid-Atlantic '23 promises to be a great experience for attendees Mid-Atlantic '23 promises to be a great experience for attendees
First off, a huge congratulations to Leah Rankin, who last week received an Irish American Arts & Culture Awards from the Irish Echo. Rankin is one...
'25th Anniversary Album' from the wonderful London Lasses '25th Anniversary Album' from the wonderful London Lasses
When I was in Ireland a couple weeks back, I met with the great Oliver O’Connell. He was in outstanding form and among other things, wanted to make...
'Aonaracht': an incredible album 'Aonaracht': an incredible album
It seems like I’ve been the bearer of bad news a lot recently and I’m sorry to say I’ve a bit more to report. This past week, we lost a pair of imp...
Mick Moloney tribute at IAC a beautiful moment in every way Mick Moloney tribute at IAC a beautiful moment in every way
"A Tribute to Mick Moloney” proved an unmitigated success at the Irish Arts Center.
Abarta's playing is recommended to lovers of the 'pure drop' style Abarta's playing is recommended to lovers of the 'pure drop' style
Folks, preorders are now being taken for “Martin Mulvihill’s Complete Collection of Traditional Irish Music.” For those who mightn’t be familiar, M...
NYC fundraiser for RTÉ trad radio star Mac Aodha Bhuí NYC fundraiser for RTÉ trad radio star Mac Aodha Bhuí
I hope all our readers had a safe and enjoyable St. Patrick’s Day season! The reports I’ve heard have all suggested a civility that’s a bit unusual...

 

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