Brian Conway and Brendan Dolan (Special Event)

Irish music: Sligo-style fiddling and all the bestBrian Conway, one of the finest fiddlers in Irish music today, is a three-time All-Ireland champion who has a new solo recording, First Through the Gate, on Smithsonian Folkways. Born in the Bronx to parents who had both emigrated from County Tyrone, Brian is a New York fiddler whose playing comes straight from heart of the Sligo tradition. Brian's early mentors include Martin Wynne and Andy McGann who got their tunes right from Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran, "Professor Morrison" and that crowd. The Irish ethnic community in New York City kept alive and developed the traditions of the old country, and Brian received tunes and tutelage from the best of them.His respect for the tradition have allowed some to label him a musical conservative, but he's really a musical conservationist preserving and passing along the best of the past while melding it with the talent and imagination of the present, and making it his own music.Brian is joined by Brendan Dolan, a superb pianist, keyboardist, flutist, and whistle player.Brendan is the son of renowned Irish-traditional pianist Felix Dolan. He has worked with accordionist John Whelan, singer/songwriter Cathie Ryan, Andy Statman, Itzhak Perlman, and the group Atlantic Bridge, which also featured former Solas vocalist Karan Casey. He frequently scores music for various Cable TV companies, including MTV and The Discovery Channel, and in 1995 co-scored the Samuel Golden film "Go Fish." He is currently earning a degree from the Jazz Studies program at SUNY New Paltz, and plays at many ceilis and concerts with various groups around the New York area.Brian and Brendan will also offer workshops for intermediate to advanced students on Sligo-style fiddling (Brian) and either flute or piano accompaniment (Brendan) earlier in the day at a location in Alexandria, VA. (Details on this website under workshops--if you back up to "calendar", you'll find it!).