John & James Carty

John and James Carty will perform a headline show on the gig rig at the Connacht Fleadh Strokestown 2024. This unique father and son duo will be joined by Ryan Sheridan on piano and melodeon.

John Carty needs no introduction in Irish traditional music circles. He received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil award in 2003 and has released numerous solo and collaborative albums on fiddle, banjo and tenor guitar. His son, James since releasing his solo fiddle album Hiding Daylight in Dark Corners in 2017 has been steadily building a noteworthy reputation within the genre.

John and James have been musical partners since James was born. They have been playing and listening to music together for a couple of decades during which time James has developed a voice similar to John’s but very much his own. The result of this long-standing partnership has manifested itself in this exciting collaboration which explores duet fiddle and other instrumental combinations. They released their ground-breaking duet CD entitled The Wavy Bow Collection in 2020.

The material to be performed on the night is gathered from various sources from obscure recordings of the Sligo fiddle and flute tabernacle to the music of various influential and creative friends whether it be their own compositions or rekindled time-honoured favourites.

The melodies will be complemented by accompaniment on piano with Ryan Sheridan from Co. Sligo. Ryan is a highly sensitive accompanist and is one of the most talented, emerging musicians and is turning heads wherever he plays. A formidable accordion player, he will also join the duo for a set on melodeon to create an homage to James Morrison.