Brian Gaffney is a distinguished musician, storyteller and authentic cultural bearer within the Irish American community of the mid Atlantic region. Born and raised in Tralee Co. Kerry, Brian immigrated to the U.S. in 1985 bringing with him a deep-seated repertoire of vernacular music and the oral traditions of his homeland. For over four decades, Brian has served as a central figure in the preservation of Irish traditional music in the Baltimore/D.C. region. As a founding member of the acclaimed ensemble Brendan’s Voyage, he has dedicated his career to the tradition and music that is passed through community gatherings, Family Heritage, and oral history rather than formal academic study. Though primarily a solo artist, Brian has performed with Brendan Mulvihill, Finbar Furey, Paddy Keenan, Mick Maloney and Billy McComiskey among others. As a soloist, his performances are characterized by an open-door philosophy of music, often encouraging the audience to participate. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Brian specializes in narrative ballads, social music of the Irish pub and house dance tradition. His style is rooted in the authentic Kerry style of his youth and reflects the unique elevation of Irish traditional music on American soil.