Joey Abarta is a renowned uilleann piper who has dedicated more than half of his life to the performance, teaching, and recording of traditional Irish music. Originally from California, he received instruction on the pipes from Dubliner Pat D’Arcy, a founding member of the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club. Joey’s musical talent and dedication have been recognized with numerous awards, including second place worldwide at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in 2009 and first prize at the An tOireachtas in 2014.
Joey has also been honored with a traditional arts apprenticeship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council twice, in 2015 and 2022, and in 2023 he was awarded an Artist Fellowship in the Traditional Arts from the same institution. These grants recognized him as a bearer and conduit of a cultural tradition by his peers and the state of Massachusetts, allowing him to teach and inspire the next generation of musicians.
Joey’s musical collaborations include performances with his wife, old-style step dancer Jaclyn O’Riley, Nathan Gourley of “Life is all Checkered,” and tours with Mick Moloney and The Green Fields of America.
As the acting President of the Boston Pipers Club, he organizes uilleann piping workshops and concerts for its members and the public. He is also the president of The Patrick J. Touhey Memorial Weekend, a bi-annual festival that focuses on historical presentations and workshops based around early American piping styles and pipers.
Joey’s discography includes his debut solo album, Swimming Against the Falls (2013), and Copley Street (2016), a duo album with Boston-based fiddle player, Nathan Gourley.
In 2023, Abarta released King of the Blind.
(headline image: Joey Abarta – Photo by Louise Bichan)
Discography:
Swimming Against the Falls (2013)
Copley Street, with Nathan Gourley (2016)
King of the Blind (2023)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.