Articles by Jay Kuchinsky

I am offering my fifth annual mandolin day camp.
Details are such;
WHEN: Aug 10, 11 & 12. classes 10:am – noon daily, then break for lunch (no meals provided), then classes 2-4 pm Monday and Tuesday and 3-5 on Wednesday. After the Wednesday afternoon class there will be a potluck supper and evening Jam.
WHERE: Jay’s house 12026-94 street, Edmonton. If there are more than 5 students I will seek a bigger location.Classes are held outdoors under Jay’s covered patio – social distancing is possible.
WHY: A fun relaxed environment to expand your repertoire and learn about different ethnic music and jamming
WHAT: I will offer a class on various ehtnic musics, Harmony pieces/ Chording & Jamming.
COST: $250.00 ( I have written 4 World Music Primers for this camp. They will be available for $10 each).
Please pass on this information. Students should have a basic knowledge of the workings of the mandolin.
Jay

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Jay and I called into Killoran’s Pub in the town of Tubbercurry. Now your man could not say exactly he was related to the great Sligo fiddler, Paddy Killoran who recorded in New york in the 20’s and 30’s he did say “We’re all branches on the same tree”. He opened up the dance hall and it was spectacular. There on the wall featured a lrge painting the incuded Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran and James Morrison standing and playing their fiddles by a lake.

Their was a wind up gramophone there. The next thing you know we are listing to 78’s of Coleman and Morrison on the gramophone! Surreal.

Listen to “Sligo Masters

https://www.itma.ie/features/playlists/holy-trinity-of-sligo-masters

I met up with Billy O’Connor for the session at the Crane. Also there was Anthony O’Connor. “John was the stable one in the family,. Anthony the wild one.” Billy, Lisa and the 2 daughters spent most of the summer in Canada this year and apparently it’s all they talk about. “When can we go back to Canada?” Billy & Lisa had thought perhaps in the future it would be nice to retire in Italy. Then they came to the beautiful mountain town of Nelson,B.C. “We’ll just stay here”.

Anthony told me a story. “It was 26 years ago. John & I were in the same pub but separately. I was at one end getting into a fight, I was aching to bring it on. Then in ten seconds I was rolling on the floor throwing punches and taking puches and bleeding profusely. Now john is not a fighter but he would always defend his brother. He came flying in from across the room, landed a few blows and pulled me outside into the car. I didn’t want to go to the hospital but he insistd and 20 stitches later I was done.”

The session was not as exciting as that but lovely music with George on pipes , Kevin Whelan on banjo, And a dozen others including Cathal Johnson (harmonica), Glen Watkins (flute) and Marta from Spain (flute).