Kevin Burke

Kevin Burke (born 1950) is an Irish master fiddler considered one of the finest living Irish fiddlers.

In addition to his solo albums, Burke has had successful project collaborations with Christy Moore, Andy Irvine & Paul Brady, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, Jackie Daly, Ged Foley and Cal Scott. Inheriting a love of Irish music from his parents, he took up the fiddle at the age of eight, studied under Jessie Christopherson, By the age of thirteen, he was playing with Irish musical groups. Burke developed a friendship with the band's guitarist and vocalist, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, and soon the two began appearing together as a duo. When the Bothy Band disbanded in 1979, they toured the United Kingdom and Europe together, and recorded the album Promenade (1979). and toured throughout the country before settling in Portland, Oregon, where they recorded a second album, Portland (1982). Together they formed the group Patrick Street. Together they released six albums: Celtic Fiddle Festival (1993), Celtic Fiddle Festival: Encore (1998), Rendezvous (2001), Play On (2005), Equinoxe (2008), and Live in Brittany (2013).

In 2002, Burke was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts,

In 2016, Burke was awarded the "Gradam Ceoil" (Musician of the Year) in the traditional-music awards presented by the Irish-language TV channel TG4.

Playing style

Burke's fiddle playing style was heavily influenced by the Sligo style playing of Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran, and James Morrison. In Concert (1999) An evening with Kevin Burke (2018)

With Christy Moore Whatever Tickles Your Fancy (1975) Christy Moore (1976)

With Andy Irvine & Paul Brady Andy Irvine/Paul Brady (1976)

With the Bothy Band Old Hag You Have Killed Me (1976) Out of the Wind – Into the Sun (1977) After Hours (Live in Paris) (1979)

With Mícheál Ó Domhnaill Promenade (1979) Portland (1982)

With other artists Eavesdropper (1981) with Jackie Daly In Tandem (2006) with Ged Foley Across the Black River (2007) with Cal Scott Suite (2010) with Cal Scott