Edel Fox is one of the most accomplished Irish musicians of her generation. Originally a native of Milltown Malbay county Clare, Fox now resides in Waterford. Fox was exposed to Irish traditional music at a very young age given her family background and location. Firstly, her family steeped in Irish traditional music and culture including her great-grandaunt concertina player and founding member of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann in the 1950s, Katherine Mullally. Similarly, her grandmother, Jo McCarthy played the piano, her grandfather Eddie Healy a singer and her mother, Marie Fox is “herself a fantastic singer but would humbly deny the fact” (The Living Tradition).
Secondly, her location in Milltown Malbay exposed Fox to a wealth of Irish traditional music in the form of festivals, namely, the Willie Clancy Summer School. Here she was taught by many prestigious musicians including that of her idol, Noel Hill whom she received concertina lessons from.
Fox has often spoken of her inspirations including that of her first formal tutor and concertina player, Noel Hill as well as accordion player Jackie Daly.
Firstly, Fox accredits Noel Hill for his performance skills, musicianship and confidence in mastering the art of concertina playing. Secondly, Fox admires Jackie Daly’s repertoire of tunes from around the globe as well introducing her to play alongside other musicians. Based on these foundations, Fox has found herself touring all around the world from North America all the way to Asia with musicians including Jackie Daly, Cherish the Ladies and the Kane Sisters (http://edelfox.
com/).
Edel Fox has since added many accolades to her name over the years. These include the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award in 2004 and is a regular performer on Irish National Radio and the BBC. In addition to solo performances, Edel duets with husband, fiddle player Neil Byrne, is a member of the Irish Concertina Ensemble (ICE) alongside Padraig Rynne, Michéal Ó Raghaillaigh, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Tim Collins, as well as in various other occasional combinations.
Furthermore, Fox has released albums to critical acclaim with Ronan O’Flaherty, fiddle player from Galway and ‘Zero’ in 2015 with ICE. Additionally, Fox released a solo album ‘Chords and Beryls’ in 2010 which has also been critically acclaimed by many sources such as All Celtic Music (2010) who cite:
The Co. Clare lass is well schooled in the traditions and her tutors and influences reads like a who’s who of Irish folk music, so much so that she now teaches herself and is involved in music therapy. And this album certainly was good for us (http://www.allcelticmusic.com/).
‘The Sunny Banks’, which was released alongside Neill Byrne in 2013 consists of 16 tracks ranging from jigs and reels to hornpipes and a slow air. One reel in particular pays homage to her late grandmother aptly named “Nana Jo’s”. A lively, melodic tune which incorporates the accented rhythmic Clare style of concertina playing and beautiful chords on guitar by Caoimhín Ó Fearghail “ to create a very warm, very spacious sound”( Dan Neely, Irish Echo).
Edel Fox’s current primary focus is on the transmission of Irish traditional music and culture in particular, the art of concertina playing. Her passion in teaching has most certainly not developed over night. In addition to having been exposed to a background steeped in Irish traditional music and culture, Fox has studied and obtained a BA in Irish Music and Dance, a MA in Music Therapy from the University of Limerick as well as a H.Dip. in Television Production. Fox used her expertise and experiences to mentor at various festivals and venues including the Willie Clancy Summer School, German Concertina Meeting in Wendland, Germany, the Northeast Concertina Workshop in Amherst MA, Catskills Irish Arts Week in NY and Elkins Irish Arts Week, WV but to name a few.
Edel offers one on one lessons to students in her home including Skype or FaceTime lessons and the Online Academy of Irish Music (OAIM). Following her higher diploma in television production, Fox has also embarked in many projects such as Bosca Ceoil, Fleadh TV and most recently Port. She is a credit, inspiration and idol to the living tradition of Irish traditional music in Ireland and across the globe.
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