Two Master Fiddlers: Stacy Phillips and Damien Conolly

Grammy winner Stacy Phillips and master fiddler Damien Connolly will perform American and Irish traditional music, trading fiddle tunes and insights into the relationship between the music of these two countries as well as the origins and evolution from Celtic roots to versions from America.  They will be accompanied by Phil Zimmerman and Joe Heeran on guitar and banjo.

The concert was funded by the Friends of the Library

Stacy Phillips is an internationally known fiddler and dobro player.  He has performed with:  Bela Fleck, Mark O'Connor, Leon Redbone, Peter Rowan, Andy Statman, Eileen Ivers, Tony Trischka and more!  Stacy has three solo albums and is a featured artist on the Grammy award-winning album, The Great Dobro Sessions.  Stacy is also the author of over thirty books and dvds dealing with various aspects of violin and dobro playing.  On fiddle he is celebrated for his contributions to old time, bluegrass, klezmer and swing.  He has taught workshops across the world.

Damien Connolly hails from Co. Clare, Ireland and moved to the US in 2003. He is a champion accordion and fiddle player. Damien gigs periodically at the Playwright Pub in Hamden and is the founder/leader of the Open Intermediate Session of Fairfield, CT, which gives musicians an opportunity to play at a more comfortable pace. 

In 2008 Damien released The Irish Accordion Tutor, Volume I,  which attracted immediate recognition for being one of the best Irish button accordion tutor on the market today. Damien is currently in the process of recording his second CD, due out some time in the New Year.