Paddy Jones will be here this Friday! (March 14)

Posted on March 11, 2008 by Paul Tyler

And that’s how the Fiddle Club of the World (Chicago Chapter) begins.
At the Leadway Bar and Gallery 5233 N. Damen, Chicago

NEWS FLASH!!!
The party room at the Leadway is a bit bigger than I thought.
We’ve opened up space for six more members.
Sign up quick. Find workshops here

Please note a slight change in the schedule for the evening.

In the interests of Paddy’s accompanist being able to show up on time, we’ll start about 8ish. And we will begin with a bit of a session, to try to find some common ground between the enthusiasts for Irish trad and the old-time crowd.

Paddy’s concert set will start at about 8:30. Around 9:30 we’ll have a big session and play the tunes that are posted here for you to learn.

And then we’ll have some more tunes.

Also note. Space is limited.
We have room for only twenty members. As I write this, there are just two slots still available. If you want to bring a guest, you’ll have to sign them up for the Club. Hurry. It’s first come, first served.

I might have to look for a bigger space for the next meeting.

Paul Tyler, Convener

Announcing the Fiddle Club of the World

Posted on February 28, 2008 by Paul Tyler

Meetings of the Fiddle Club of the World are scheduled for the party room of

Leadway Bar and Gallery
5233 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773-728-2663

Space is limited, so register early.

March 14 (Fri) 7:30 – Paddy Jones

Paddy Jones is one of the last pure players of the traditional music of Sliabh Luchra (pronounced Shleeve Lew-cra), a mountainous region on the borderland between Counties Kerry and Cork in the southwest corner of Ireland. The distinctive style of this region makes heavy use of polkas and slides, and relies less on the reels and jigs that are more standard in the “trad” Irish repertoire. The undisputed master of the Sliabh Luchra style was the legendary Padraig O’Keefe, who was Paddy Jones’ teacher.

Go here to hear some Paddy Jones tunes.

April 20 (Sun) 6:30 – Lynn “Chirps” Smith

Traditional tunes from downstate Illinois and beyond are the forte of this fiddler long known for his work with the Volo Bogtrotters. Chirps now plays with the New Bad Habits.

Go here to hear some Chirps Smith tunes.

May 10 (Sat) 3:30 – Will & Holly Whedbee

Cajun two-steps, waltzes and more will be offered up by this fiddling duo from the Chicago Cajun Aces.or

Go here to hear some Whedbee tunes.

Some tunes from Paddy Jones

Posted on February 21, 2008 by Paul Tyler

Kerry Polkas (The Ballydesmond Set)

Kerry Slides (The Cat Jumped in the Mouse’s Hole/ If I’d a Wife)

unnamed reel
[In the key of D, it reminds me of Dickey’s Discovery.]

All tunes were performed by Paddy Jones with Rus Bradburd at a concert in Silver City, New Mexico in 2007. Recording courtesy of Rus Bradburd.

Go to Paul Tyler’s transcriptions of these Paddy Jones tune.

Paddy Jones will be performing at the Fiddle Club of the World’s meeting on Friday, March 14 at the Leadway Bar & Gallery.

For now, the Old Town School is handling the club meetings as if they were workshops. Call 773.728.6000 to register. Cost is $12. Your name will then be entered on a list that allows entrance to the club meeting. Only those registered for the workshop will be considered members. Space is limited. Register early.

Notation for Paddy Jones tunes

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Paul Tyler

All tunes transcribed by Paul Tyler. Musical notation is only a guide to one way to play a tune. Use the written notes along with the recordings. If you hear something different than what is written down, good. Trust your ears. Play what you hear.

Click on thumbnail to enlarge.

Written music is a sketch. Sound documents are the ultimate authority.

To hear some Paddy Jones tunes.

Paddy Jones will be performing at the Fiddle Club of the World’s meeting on Friday, March 14 at the Leadway Bar & Gallery.