Ed Delaney - Accordion, Slow Session Coordinator
Ed started playing Irish and Old Time American music in high school during the (great Folk Scare of the) 1970's. He first learned to play the banjo, but shortly fell in love with the concertina. His idol was Alistair Anderson, an English concertina player from Northumberland. Bands like The Chieftains, Planxty, and The Bothy Band fueled his passion for Irish music. He has attended many sessions and festivals throughout the nation over the years.
Ed and a small group of like-minded musicians started playing informally for Contra Dances in New England. Upon moving to Indiana, he joined the Full Moon Country Dance Orchestra in Oxford Ohio and played regular dances for over 10 years, followed by years of playing contra dances with the 10th Street Regulars in Richmond Indiana.
All of Ed’s training has been from playing at dances, festivals and sessions and listening to greatest Irish musicians and singers he could find. He took up Irish button accordion about 15 years ago and has been influenced by the likes of John Whelan, Sharon Shannon, Billy McComisky, and Paddy O'Brien.
He currently hosts the weekly Irish session at the Brockway Pub in Carmel IN, and makes up the entire squeezebox section of the Indianapolis Céilí Band.
