The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is committed to providing free, universal access to the rich cultural tradition of Irish music, song and dance. If you’re able, we’d love for you to consider a donation. Any level of support will help us preserve and grow this tradition for future generations.
This project is co-funded by Ireland’s Department of Culture, Communications & Sport and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade as part of America 250.
Jesse grew up in the Bronx, New York in an Irish immigrant family and started playing the drums in Irish dance and céilí bands in the 1950s under the tutelage of band leader, Felix Dolan. In 1969 he was introduced to the bodhrán by Brian Heron, founder of the Irish Arts Center in NYC. Jesse developed his style and technique from visiting bodhrán players such as Peadar Mercier, Robin Morton, and especially Johnny McDonagh. He is a founding member, with his brother Terence of the award-winning band, Celtic Thunder, and plays regularly with the Rambling House Céilí Band, The Irish Inn Mates and the John Whelan All-Star Céilí Band. Jesse has recorded with The Clancy Brothers and Robbie O’Connell, Johnny Cunningham, Jerry O’Sullivan and many others. In 2023, he released an album of tunes and songs, The Irish Riviera, with the Winch Family Band. He has served on the teaching staff at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia ; at the Swannanoa Gathering in Ashville, North Carolina and regularly for the Washington Conservatory of Music in Glen Echo Park, Maryland. In 2012 Jesse was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Mid-Atlantic Region of Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Éireann.
