James Conway is an Irish-American musician based in Chicago, Illinois, and is particularly known for playing traditional Irish music on the harmonica and tin whistle. He also plays guitar, bodhran, and plays folk and country blues music. Jason Ricci said of Conway's playing, "This guy is the king of tongue switching (playing out of both sides of your mouth) – his octave leaps, effortless complex melodies, and chords are mind melting to the harmonica player while natural to the listener."
Conway began playing tin whistle and guitar as a child, studied classical music at Columbia College, and learned harmonica from Junior Wells, Sugar Blue, and Howard Levy.
In 2003, Conway was the recipient of a "master artist" grant from the Illinois Arts Council to teach Irish tin whistle as part of the Ethnic & Folk Arts Master/Apprentice Program. The Hohner company has also recognized Conway's expertise; he is a Hohner harmonica endorser.
Discography
- Mouth Box (2002)
- James Conway Live at the American Legion (2009)
References
- "Kerrville Festivals". kerrville-music.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- "James Conway - bio". jamesconway.net (official site). Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- "Harmonica Collective - James Conway". harmonicacollective.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- "Kerrville Festivals". kerrville-music.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- "Enjoy Music - Play Hohner - James Conway". playhohner.com. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- "FY03 Master/Apprentice Program Awards". illinois.gov. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- "Enjoy Music - Play Hohner - James Conway". playhohner.com. Retrieved 11 May 2014.