Kevin Burke
Kevin Burke been called Ireland’s most lyrical fiddler. At the forefront of this music for over 30 years, from The Bothy Band to Patrick Street and Celtic Fiddle Festival, he is known for his highly individual style-vibrant, expressive, relaxed, and at times humorous. Now resident in the US, Burke has received the NEA’s National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor in the traditional arts.
Whether solo or accompanied, Kevin Burke is an immensely engaging performer. Although he has spent much of his life playing in a group context, he has never lost his love for solo fiddle music. “With the great popularity of various groups over the last 25 years or so, many people have forgotten that this kind of music used to be played mainly solo. The bands, groups and accompanists are a relatively recent development… so I thought it would be interesting to let people hear the ‘naked’ fiddle once more.” - Kevin Burke
“Lyric, fluid and precisely as tricky as he needs to be…probably the greatest Irish fiddler living.” The Village Voice
“Kevin Burke plays the fiddle so smoothly, with such buoyancy, and with such relaxed showmanship, that even a large concert hall becomes intimate.” The New Yorker
“A lyrical player of emotional electricity.” The Washington Post