Brian Conway and Brendan Dolan Concert at The Cobblestone

Brian Conway and Brendan Dolan Concert at The Cobblestone on Saturday, August 16th at 8pm.

Come join us for a night of traditional Irish music with Brian Conway and Brendan Dolan at The Cobblestone as Brian celebrates the release of his new CD, Wallace Avenue!

Visit Brian Conway's website for more info: https://www.brianconway.com/home

Brian Conway Bio:

New York born fiddler Brian Conway is a leading exponent of the tastefully ornamented Sligo fiddling style made famous by the late Michael Coleman. The winner of two All- Ireland junior titles in 1973 and 1974 and the All-Ireland senior championship of 1986, Brian's early studies were with his father Jim of Plumbridge, County Tyrone, and with Limerick born fiddler/teacher Martin Mulvihill. However, it was the legendary fiddler and composer Martin Wynne who taught him the real secrets of the County Sligo style. Later, Brian met and befriended the great Andy McGann of New York, a direct student of Michael Coleman, who further shaped his precision and skill on the instrument.

In 1979, Brian recorded a duet album, The Apple In Winter (Green Linnet) with fellow New York fiddler Tony Demarco. He released his debut solo CD, First through the Gate, on the Smithsonian-Folkways label in July 2002. This CD was voted the prestigious Album of the Year by the Irish Echo. Brian is also featured on the CD, My Love is in America, recorded at the Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival, and on the documentary "Shore to Shore" which highlights traditional Irish music in New York. He is considered one of the musical rocks of the New York area.

In 2007, Brian released a CD titled A Tribute to Andy McGann on the prestigious Irish Label Cló Iar-Chonnachta. This CD pairs up Irish Music legends Joe Burke and Felix Dolan along with Brian in a CD which has received glowing accolades since it's release in the summer of 2007. Brian followed this CD with a much anticipated Solo CD titled "Consider the Source" in deference to the rich environment from which Brian learned his music. This CD was released in 2008 on the Cló Iar-Chonnachta Label. This CD features guest appearances by music greats Niamh Parsons, Dan Milner, Billy McComiskey, Joannie Madden, Felix Dolan, and Brendan Dolan. Earle Hitchner of the Irish Echo described this CD as "Easily one of the best releases this year". Brian followed up that recording with the highly acclaimed “Pride of New York” and, in 2016, recorded with the group “Gailfean” featuring John Whelan, Mairtin DeCogain and Don Penzien.

In 2025 Brian released his long awaited third solo album titled Wallace Avenue in collaboration with Brendan Dolan. The title pays homage to the street Brian grew up on in the Bronx where he first learned so much of his music from his father Jim and later Martin Wynne. Brian also features over 20 of his top former and present students on a track on the CD showcasing Brian’s prowess as one of the greatest instructors teaching Irish music today. After some encouragement from a student and friend, Marilyn Stangl, they collaborated on an instructional book titled The Brian Conway Fiddle Method.

Brian remains faithful to the rich tradition handed down to him. The distinctness of his tone, the lift of his playing, and the deft ornamentation he brings to the tunes have placed him among the finest Irish fiddlers of any style, Sligo or otherwise. He has performed all over North America from San Francisco to New York and places in between such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Colorado. His talents have also been enthusiastically received throughout Ireland and the rest of Europe. He is also considered one of the premier instructors of traditional Irish music who has mentored many fine fiddle players, including several who have gone on to win All-Ireland championships.

Brendan Dolan Bio:

Brendan is the son of legendary pianist, Felix Dolan, and set dancer, Joan Dolan. Brendan learned his music from his parents while growing up in Golden’s Bridge, NY. playing frequently at events with their neighbors, Eugene and Celia Clancy and their children at Irish events around Westchester County. While at college at Brown University, Brendan connected with local musicians in Providence, Rhode Island and became passionate about the music. With New York transplant, Jimmy Devine and his student Tina Lech, Brendan began playing ceilis and occasional sessions with the Providence Ceili Club. After graduation, Brendan starting playing regular ceilis with accordionist Kevin Killeen at St. Mary’s in Woodside where he was encouraged by accordion great, Gerry Lynch.Throughout the 1990s, Brendan worked in advertising and played ceilis, sessions andconcerts on the weekends, most often with accordionist, Patty Furlong and Mayo native fiddler, Fiona Doherty. At the same time, Brendan regularly played for dancecompetitions along with his father throughout the year.During this time, Brendan learned the whistle and the flute from his father and from the great flute players, Joanie Madden and Catherine McEvoy. He got to know and play with many of the great New York musicians such as Eamon O’Leary, Patrick Ourceau and Dana Lyn playing sessions at places like Mona’s and The Scratcher.In the late 90s, Brendan went back to school to study music at SUNY New Paltz andmusic education at Queens College. After teaching at St. John’s Preparatory School inAstoria and at Franklin Central School in Franklin, NY, Brendan began teaching Irishmusic at the Mineola Irish Center and the New York Irish Center in Long Island City. Healso started teaching and coaching groups in the Pearl River assisting the great musicians and teachers, Rose Flanagan, Margie Mulvihill and Patty Furlong.After earning a Master’s degree in Irish Studies at NYU, Brendan spent the next threeyears as the main archivist on the Mick Moloney Irish-American Music and PopularCulture Collection.He is currently Music Director at Avenues: The World School in Manhattan, whilecontinuing to play and teach Irish music.Over the years, Brendan has recorded with Patrick Ourceau, Patty Furlong, KathyLudlow and Mary Coogan, Billy McComiskey, Brian Conway, Mick Moloney and TheGreen Fields of America and the Pride of New York, of which he is a member.Brendan also taught at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins West Virginia, andcontinues to teach at the Irish Arts Week in East Durham, New York.Photo credit: Anthony Pepitone