Joe Burke is among the greatest exponents of Traditional Irish Music. His sheer musical brilliance, his knowledge and love of his land, its music, and culture has earned him an immortal place in the history of Irish Music and Folklore.
His technical virtuosity is unique, but that is just part of his great artistry. Joe traces the sources and melodic forms of Irish Music back to the rhythms and cadences of Irish speech and language, and feels that they have an intimate relationship with each other.
To him the music is expressive and emotional, evoking the Irish countryside and the varying humor of the people.
From East Galway, Joe Burke is widely regarded as the master accordionist who started the huge revival of interest in the instrument.
A legend in his own time, many of the younger generation, now famous players themselves, have been inspired by his style and technique. He has traveled all over the world, and his recordings have been widely acclaimed.
His live performances, as well as his own charm and wit have made him a favorite with all lovers of Irish Music.
Joe Burke gave his first public performance in November 1955. He has been performing Irish Traditional Music for forty years and has made many recordings for various companies including Gael Linn, Outlet, Shanachie, Shaskeen, Green Linnet and New Century Music.
His first recordings for Gael Linn were released on 78rpm discs. They were the last 78s ever released in Europe.
His recording career has spanned five decades and all the formats from 78s to CDs. His classic solo albums have sold world wide and the early ones are considered "Collectors Items".
Apart from his solo albums Joe has recorded with many musical greats including Andy McCann and Felix Dolan, Sean Maguire and Josephine Keegan, Michael Cooney and Terry Corcoran, Charlie Lennon, Frankie Gavin, Kevin Burke, Brian Conway, Noreen O'Donoghue and Mike Rafferty.
He has recorded an album of traditional airs from Ireland on which he plays concert flute and is joined by harpist Maire Ní Chathsaigh.
Joe Burke's music has taken him from country halls and pubs in rural Ireland to the most prestigious Concert Halls world wide.
He has performed solo at Carnegie Hall, New York; The Royal Albert Hall, London; Unuesque Hall, Paris; and The Great American Music Hall, San Francisco.
Joe has played at all the major festivals at home and abroad and has given Master Classes and Workshops on the accordion from Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim, Ireland to Paris, France, to Dallas, Texas, and as far afield as the logging and fishing towns in Alaska.
His trips and music classes in Paris (early 1980s), and his association with some of the great French players has influenced musicians such as Mark Perone to expand his repertoire and include Irish traditional music in many of his performances.
In 1959 and 1960 Joe Burke won the "All Ireland Senior Accordion Championship". He was voted "Traditional Musician of the Year" in 1970 by Irish Television (R.T.E.). He went on to host his own Radio Show on K.D.H.X. St Louis Missouri for two years (1989-1991). This very popular show was called "Ireland in America". Chosen to represent Ireland at the prestigious International Accordion Festival in 1989 in Montmagny, Quebec, he participated with world greats such as Martin Nasturica (Romania), Jaques Dumont (France) and Raynold Oullet (Canada). Representing Ireland again in "Accordions that shook the World" 1992, Joe toured with Art Van Dame, Santiago Jimenez Jr., guy Klucevesex an dMarc Savoy.
In Restrevor, Co. Down, Ireland, he was awarded "Hall of Fame" in 1990. His tours with Portland Maine Performing Arts, Irish Arts Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Northern Ireland Arts Council were memorable.
His shows with Annie Conroy Burke feature music, stories and the traditions of East Galway.
Recipient of AIB Traditional Musician of the Year Award 1997and Gradam An Chomhaltais 2003.
