At the age of 26, Johnny B. Connolly has already generated a reputation as an accomplished button accordionist. His talents have brought him across continents, performing and recording with internationally renowned artists Kevin Burke and The Chieftains. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Johnny has been immersed in Irish traditional music since he was eight years old. By the age of 15 he was performing with musicians twice his age and at just 17 he earned a slot with the acclaimed Celtic group Anam. For the next two years, he continued to build his reputation in Dublin’s trad scene and abroad with Anam, appearing throughout Europe and Ireland.In 1996 Johnny left Anam and crossed the Atlantic, performing in New York City and Boston before heading west to live in Portland, Oregon. There, Johnny merged his talents with those of guitarist Aidan Brennan, forming a duo that has entertained audiences from Alaska to Louisiana. A friendship with Kevin Burke, legendary Irish fiddler and fellow Portlander, led to Johnny’s recording Bridgetown. Named for his adopted home, Bridgetown is a sparkling collection of Irish and French tunes and includes guest appearances by Burke, Skip Parente, Jim Chapman, and Aidan Brennan.
