Kelly, James E., 1936-2001

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, James E. "Jimmy" Kelly (1936-2001) was well-known for his unique musical style on tenor banjo as well as his proficiency on fiddle, piano, and piano accordion. He had strong family ties to both Ireland and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and played the traditional music of both with many bands across New England, Cape Breton, and Ireland. From the late 1950s onward, Kelly played with many musicians throughout the New England area including his wife, Sally Kelly, Bill Lamey, Joe Joyce, Alex Gillis, and Johnny Powell, and with the Connacht Ceili Band led by Tommy Sheridan. Kelly was also a flute maker for the Wm. S. Haynes Company in Massachusetts. He was a mainstay of the Boston branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) and in 2000, Kelly and his family were inducted into the CCE Hall of Fame by the North American Province, Northeast Region.