Kevin Burke

“Lyric, fluid and precisely as tricky as he needs to be…probably the greatest Irish fiddler living.” The Village Voice

From early days with The Bothy Band to his celebrated solo performances, Kevin Burke is considered one of Irish music’s luminaries. The recipient of a National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA in the US, and in Ireland the prestigious Gradam Ceoil award, he is acknowledged as a master of the tradition. Although Kevin has spent much of his life playing in a group context, he has never lost his love for solo fiddle music – the “naked fiddle” as he sometimes puts it.

A native of London, Kevin inherited his love of Irish music from his parents who emigrated from County Sligo, Ireland. Burke’s music career began in 1974 with a move to Ireland and joining seminal Irish group The Bothy Band. Since then, he has formed the renowned bands Celtic Fiddle Festival, Patrick Street, and Open House, and worked with many great artists including Arlo Guthrie, Kate Bush, Tim O’Brien, Christy Moore, Dervish, and Lunasa. His highly ornamented Sligo style of fiddling is beloved in all corners of the globe.

In concert, Kevin’s own patter brings his audiences closer to him, to the tunes, and to the musicians and places he evokes.” As Burke said, “I think it helps to give listeners a bit of context to hang their hat on. I try to make it light-hearted but informative, almost like education by stealth. And I think it’s nice for people to understand that I’m really just a link in the chain.”

His latest recording, Sligo Made, launched at The Fiddler of Dooney in October 2019, is a return to his roots both musically and geographically. Recorded in a studio overlooking Innisfree,these tunes learned from the legends of traditional music, performed by the legends of today, are another strong link in the chain.

Reviews & Remarks
“Sligo Made is a lovely album and a must have for Burke’s fans. The music is well-heeled, played with extraordinary nuance, and gets to the spirit of the Sligo fiddle tradition … There’s a special swagger and depth in this music that is immediately engaging.”  Daniel Neely / The Irish Echo
“A fiddle icon.”  Irish Music Magazine
“A lyrical player of emotional electricity.” The Washington Pos“Burke imparts a rhythmic intensity that is remarkably powerful…a superior instrumentalist in any idiom…impressively virtuosic.”   The New York Times

Photos, press kit, and international touring schedule at www.kevinburke.com

2025
April 4,London UK, Folk & Roots @ Heath Street Baptist Church, http://folkandroots.co.uk/
April 6, N. Shields UK, Phoenix Folk, Cullercoats Watch House, https://phoenixfolk.co.uk/ SOLD OUT
May 3, Seattle WA, Seattle Folklore Soc. Phinney Neighborhood Center, www.seafolklore.org
May 7, Long Beach WA, Peninsula Arts Center, events@peninsulaartscenter.org
May 8, Whidbey Island WA, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, www.wicaonline.org
May 9, Mt Vernon WA, Littlefield Celtic Center, www.celticarts.org
May 15, Sacramento CA, The Sofia, https://bstreettheatre.org
May 16 Fresno CA, Fresno Folk Society, www.fresnofolklore.net
May 17, Pasadena CA, Beckman Institute Auditorium, www.pasadenafolkmusicsociety.org
June 13, London UK, The Irish Cultural Centre, www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk
June 15, Glasgow UK, The Hug and Pint,  www.thehugandpint.com
July 10, Black Mt. N C, White Horse Black Mt., https://robinbullock.com/carolina-celtic/
July 13 -18 Asheville NC, The Gathering, Celtic Week, https://swangathering.com/
Sept 6, Northampton MA, The Parlor Room, www.parlorroom.org
Sept 7, Westport CT, First Folk Sunday, w/John Brennan firstfolksunday.com
Sept 10, Somerville MA, The Burren, Brian O’Donovan Legacy Series,
Sept 11, Brewer ME, Next Generation Theatre, www.bangorceltic.org/tickets
Sept 12, Braintree VT, House Concert, Info bethtelfordfiddle@gmail.com