Jimmy Keane

Jimmy Keane and Jimmy Moore are mainstays of the Irish Traditional music community for decades. They have known each other and performed together as a duo and in various groups since the 1980s. Moore’s sensitive guitar playing and singing blend well with Keane’s kindred approach to the music. You will enjoy the company of their tunes and songs ranging from century old melodies, ballads, and recent compositions within the Irish idiom.

Irish music accordion virtuoso Jimmy Keane was born in London of Irish-speaking parents from Connemara and Kerry. His late father Jimmy was a magnificent sean-nos (old style) singer, and along with young Jimmy’s mother Mary, actively encouraged him to take up traditional Irish music.

Jimmy’s accomplishments are far reaching. He has achieved astonishing and unprecedented success in competitive playing, having won five consecutive All-Ireland titles on the piano accordion. He has always been an avid collector and arranger of old tunes and is becoming increasingly known for his original compositions, many of which have become part of the mainstream of traditional Irish music around the world. He also has recorded and produced numerous albums

Many regard Keane as the premier exponent of traditional Irish music on the piano accordion. Noted University of Limerick Professor, composer, and musician Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin praised Keane as the "savior of the piano accordion." eMusic described him as "one of the true giants of Irish traditional music of the past fifty years," and the voice of Ireland, singer-songwriter Christy Moore, described Jimmy's playing as "wild and beautiful." In addition to his solo work, Jimmy also performs with bohola, The Irish Music All-Stars, and The Irish Rovers.

Jimmy Moore was born and raised in Kilkenny, Ireland and moved to the US in his early twenties. First settling in Nashville, TN, he performed with fellow Kilkenny bandmates, known as Brogue, and also with well known Dublin songwriter/TV personality Shay Healy.

He later moved to Chicago where he currently lives with wife Mary Ellyn, four children, and works as a professional musician. Jimmy plays guitar, bass, banjo, tin whistle, bouzouki, keys, and in a pinch, a bit of fiddle.

He has written many songs including “I Still Canʼt Say Goodbye” with co-writer Bob Blinn. It has been recorded by dozens of artists including Chet Atkins (who called him a “mighty fine picker”), Merle Haggard, Vince Gill and Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel. He has appeared on PBS, NBC, CBS, RTE, and stages all the way from Chicago Symphony Center to the Grand Ole Opry.