BANJO'ista by Theresa O'Grady

This collection of tunes displays Theresa O’Grady’s array of exemplary banjo-playing skills. I found myself captivated from the very first notes of the aptly titled Happy to Meet which is played with great style and understanding.

The variety of melodies thrive in her hands and her playing displays wonderful imagination and a great respect for the tradition.

From Theresa’s earliest days she yearned to play the tenor banjo and this is testament to her absolute love of both the instrument and the tunes.

Interestingly, when she got her very own first banjo, it was hand made. In the last number of years she has become an enthusiast and champion of the old American made tenor banjos and she plays a couple of instruments here which were manufactured in the 1920s. These instruments have been given a whole new lease of life with Theresa’s beautiful interpretation of the music. Vintage tunes on vintage instruments.

This is a very important and welcome recording which places the tenor banjo in the heart of traditional music and is enhanced by very discreet and delicate accompaniment on piano, bodhrán, guitar and bouzouki. There’s also a couple of lovely tracks and some fun, as Theresa displays her dexterity on both tenor guitar and mandolin.
Congratulations Theresa.

Kieran Hanharan, March 2018

Theresa O'Grady has a distinctive style of playing and is considered one of the finest banjo players in the country. Originally from Luton, England, she now lives in Aclare, Co Sligo. and is a very popular teacher at Workshops all over Ireland, Europe and more recently Australia. Her debut solo album, BANJO’ista, has been greatly anticipated and is already receiving rave reviews.