James Conway is an Irish-American musician based in Chicago, Illinois, and is particularly known for playing traditional Irish music on the harmonica and tin whistle.[1] He also plays guitar, bodhran, and plays folk and country blues music.[2] Jason Ricci said of Conway's playing, "This guy is the king of tongue switching (playing out of both sides of your mouth) – his octave leaps, effortless complex melodies, and chords are mind melting to the harmonica player while natural to the listener."[3]
Conway began playing tin whistle and guitar as a child, studied classical music at Columbia College, and learned harmonica from Junior Wells, Sugar Blue, and Howard Levy.[4][5]
In 2003, Conway was the recipient of a "master artist" grant from the Illinois Arts Council to teach Irish tin whistle as part of the Ethnic & Folk Arts Master/Apprentice Program.[6] The Hohner company has also recognized Conway's expertise; he is a Hohner harmonica endorser.[7]
Discography edit
- Mouth Box (2002)
- James Conway Live at the American Legion (2009)
References edit
- ^ "Kerrville Festivals". kerrville-music.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ "James Conway - bio". jamesconway.net (official site). Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ "Harmonica Collective - James Conway". harmonicacollective.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "Kerrville Festivals". kerrville-music.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ "Enjoy Music - Play Hohner - James Conway". playhohner.com. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "FY03 Master/Apprentice Program Awards". illinois.gov. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ "Enjoy Music - Play Hohner - James Conway". playhohner.com. Retrieved 11 May 2014.