Chosen to represent Ireland at the prestigious International Accordion Festival in 1989 in Montmagny, Quebec, he participated with world greats such as Marin Nasturica (Romania), Jaques Dumont (France) and Raynold Oullet (Canada).
This very popular show was called "Ireland in … A legend in his own time, many of the younger generation, now famous players themselves, have been inspired by his style and technique. This very popular show was called "Ireland in … Joe Burke (born 1939) is one of the foremost Irish button accordion players of all time. The notion of being an iconic figure wholly within a traditional idiom would seem to be something of a contradiction in terms. He personified and was identified with all that was wholesome in the old Irish tradition. He has travelled all over the word and his recordings have been widely acclaimed. In 1959 and 1960 Joe Burke won the "All Ireland Senior Accordion Championship". This very popular show was called "Ireland in America". Born in Kilnadeema, Loughrea, County Galway where his mother played accordion.
The real discovery and the devilment occur when one tries to play a long with what he is doing, note by note. Copyright © 2010 Joe Burke All Rights Reserved. Hi also recorded an album of traditional music from East Galway on which he plays concert flute and is joined by Harpist Marie Ni Chathasaigh.
A further modification is the configuration that I've been told is used by Joe Burke and his wife, Ann Conroy, at the moment: Joe Burke's B/C (top of instrument ... 1989 The Hohner Melodeon and Button-Key Accordion Tutor (for 1, 2 and 3 row instruments in British Chromatic tuning) by Capt.
His playing is supple, his ornaments so subtle and so 'right', that there can be an illusion of simplicity, which is the feeling of truth.
Joe's engagement with all three is well known and documented. Whilst his own playing is innovative and creative, his music still reflects that older tradition of which he is justly proud. On the many happy times, when I was privileged to have Joe in London for festivals and events I would know that the "faithful" would turn up. His visits to London in the 70's when I arrived here were a "tonic" to a besieged community, especially rural people who grew up with love for the music and the old Gaelic culture of games, music and dance. He was ovted "Traditional Musician of the Year" in 1970 by Irish Television (R.T.E). Joe Burke's music has taken him from country halls and pubs in rural Ireland to the most prestigius Concert Halls worldwide. His classic solo albums have sold worldwide and the early ones are considered "Collctors Items". Joe Burke is among the greatest exponents of traditional Irish Music.� His sheer musical brilliance, his knowledge and love of his land, its music and culture have earned him an immortal place in the history of Irish music and folklore.� His technical virtuosity is unique, but that Representing Ireland again in "Accordions that shook the World" 1992, Joe toured with Art Van Dame, Santiago Jimenez Jr., Guy Klucevesex and Marc Savoy.
For me, the quintessential experience of listening to Joe's playing starts with pure pleasure at hearing flawlessly executed music, but it goes well beyond that. In 1959 and 1960 Joe Burke won the "All Ireland Senior Accordion Championship". In 1959 and 1960 Joe Burke won the "All Ireland Senior Accordion Championship". It is a cultivated distillation of the music of South East Galway. It is a tribute to Joe that he has remained a true interpreter of that tradition. From Kilnadeema, East Galway, Joe Burke is widely regarded as the master accordionist who started a huge revival of interest in the intstrument. He went on to host his own Radio Show on K.D.H.X. Paradoxally, part of what makes his playing stand out is that whilst many players today, great musicians amongst them, push outside the boundries of the tradition to make their mark, Joe, by contrast has gone in the opposite direction. The confraternity of Connemara people who journeyed across London to be in his company on the occasions of his annual visits here is a tribute to his own contact with Iar Connacht - the West in his young life and the abiding genuine affection and high esteem with which he is regarded by them in turn to this day. He was ovted "Traditional Musician of the Year" in 1970 by Irish Television (R.T.E).
In the 70's and 80's his presence emboldened and enriched the self-esteem of the London Irish at a time when the stock of the Irish was low amongst strange people who did not always view the Irish in a positive light because of the history of the two islands and the resurgence of the troubles in Northern Ireland.
His trips and music classes in Paris (early eighties), and his association with some of the great French players has influenced musicians such as Mark Perone to excpand his repertoire and include Irish traditional music in many of his performances.
The quality of Joe's musical performance was and is of the highest standard. Joe traces the sources and melodic forms of Irish Music back to the rhythms and cadences of Irish speech and language, and feels that they have an intimate relationship with each other. He has performed solo at Carnagie Hall, New York; The Royal Albert Hall, London; Unuesque Hall, Paris and the Great American Musical Hall, San Francisco.