The Seattle Folklore Society and Culture Ireland present Ireland’s master traditional Irish fiddler Gerry O’Connor in concert at 7:30pm, Saturday, April 30 at the Phinney Center. Gerry grew up in a family immersed in Irish music, winning numerous All Ireland awards in a range of duets, trios and céilí band titles. With a focus on his local music of Oriel, he is known world-wide as a soloist and as a founder band member of Lá Lugh, Skylark and Oirialla. His playing is noted for its vibrancy and pulsating rhythm which he attributes to his early years of step-dancing and the influence of the legendary musician John Joe Gardiner. He has recorded 14 albums, with his first solo album, Journeyman, hailed as a landmark album of Irish fiddle music, and has performed with all of the leading performers of the Irish music world including members of the Chieftains, Boys of the Lough, Planxty, De Dannan, and Bothy Band. A winner of the prestigious Ródaíocht Bardic Award at the 2018 All Ireland Fleadh for his valuable cultural contribution to Irish Music, one can see and hear why he so rightly deserved it! San Francisco guitarist Richard Mandel will be accompanying Gerry.