James Reilly - Flute, Tin Whistle

James attributes his love of Irish music to his family. Born into the NYC traditional Irish music scene, he quickly developed a taste for pure drop trad. His father Tom, a remarkable flute player himself, attracted many NYC notables such as Martin Wynne, Michael Reilly, Liam Shanahan, Johnny Cronin and Pat Henry to the house for tea and tunes. James began his musical expedition sitting quietly listening to the banter and stories, interspersed with bursts of dance music.

James plays with an breathy style, heavy with rhythmic accents. It is easy to hear the influence of the button accordion in his playing, as well as the Sligo fiddling that was so popular in NYC in the 80's and 90's. Mostly though, his style a part of 100 years of Traditional Irish Music lineage that began with his Grandfather and namesake, James Reilly, in Mullahoran, Co. Cavan.