Ensembles, Guitar, Harmonica, Tin Whistle, Bodhran, Jaws Harp
James Conway was introduced to music as a young child by his Irish-born parents who sang and played Irish traditional music. He was introduced to fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhran and grew up in the company of some of the world’s best Irish traditional musicians, such as Terry “Cuz” Teahan, Noel Rice, Kevin Henry, Johnny McGreevy and Liz Carroll. Later, James became interested in guitar and harmonica, and began exploring folk and blues music, heavily influenced and inspired by Neil Young and Bob Dylan. Bartending, bouncing, and performing in two of Chicago’s hottest music venues, Hideout and Rosa’s, James immersed himself to some of the world’s top musicians, sharing the stage with and getting valuable lessons on harmonica and guitar by such greats as Junior Wells, Sugar Blue, Howard Levy, and Honey Boy Edwards.
James is an active teacher and performer all around Chicago. He runs a lively Irish traditional session every Thursday at the Irish American Heritage Center and plays solo, and with The Boils, Gan Ainm, The SaltHill Miners, The Sprigs, The Boyos, Tantrum, Quarantinis, Drovers and The Squabs. He is the recipient of grants from the Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship Program and the Master/Apprenticeship Program in Ethnic and Folk Arts. James is an active member, teacher and performer at annual harmonica conventions such as SPAH (Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica), and James has an endorsement with the Hohner harmonica company.
Education: Columbia College Chicago, Triton College
Started at the Old Town School in June of 2007
