Kevin Burke

Irish Fiddler Kevin Burke has been at the forefront of traditional music since the 1970’s. Born in London, his Irish parents instilled in him a love for the music of their homeland. Heavily influenced by older generations of musicians, both in Ireland and his native London, the teen age Kevin became a well known figure at folk clubs, ceilis and pub sessions.

After 6 months working with Det Danske Teater in Denmark, a 1972 chance meeting with Arlo Guthrie in the West of Ireland resulted in an invitation to visit USA. While there Kevin worked on Arlo’s upcoming recording, The Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys.

Having returned from America, Kevin was then invited to join Christy Moore’s new band and, after a couple of happy years playing with Christy, he was then asked to join the recently formed Bothy Band.

Kevin's work with these, and other distinguished performers, and his far-reaching solo album, “If the Cap Fits”, soon established him as a first class musician.

Never one to be restricted by geography or genre, his decades long career has seen several innovative collaborations. Some of the eminent players he has worked with are: Grammy winner, singer and instrumentalist Tim O’Brien; Liam O Maonlai, lead singer of the Hothouse Flowers; classical violinists Gilles Apap and Greg Ewer; Old Time favourites, The Foghorn String Band; veteran Rock guitarist John Brennan (who played with Poco, Chris Hillman Band and others); and many renowned Irish bands such as Dervish, Solas and Lunasa .

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In 1980 he settled in the USA , performing with Bothy Band colleague Micheal O Domhnaill. Their 2 albums, “Promenade” and “Portland”, became, and still are, very influential resources for many traditional musicians.

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Kevin has earned international acclaim in both Europe and America as a solo performer, a teacher and as a member of some of folk music’s foremost groups In 2007 he also set up his own record label, “Loftus Music”, which soon developed a reputation for excellence in both its musical output and its unique eco-friendly packaging.

During the Covid years he brought together some of his friends to make a video series, Music from an Irish Cottage, which gives the viewer an intriguing and intimate glimpse into interactions between some of Irelands foremost musicians.

His contribution to music has received formal acknowledgement on both sides of the Atlantic where he has been the recipient of several awards including Ireland’s “Gradam Ceoil” (Traditional Musician of the Year, 2016), and a National Heritage Fellowship, the USA's highest honor for excellence in the folk and traditional arts. Kevin has also been honoured by his adopted home state with his induction to the Oregon Music Hall of Fame .

A founding member of several renowned and influential groups (Open House, Patrick Street, The Celtic Fiddle Festival) Kevin has nonetheless retained his love for solo fiddle music – the “naked fiddle” as he himself sometimes puts it.Whether solo or accompanied, on record or in concert, Burke is an immensely engaging performer.

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