Established in 1992, the Ward Irish Music Archives houses the largest public collection of Irish music in America. It is named after John J. Ward Jr., father of Irish Fest founder Ed Ward. The archive currently consists of more than 40,000 Irish music recordings and pieces of memorabilia ranging from rare 78 rpm's, LP's and sheet music to song books, instruments, and concert memorabilia. Many of the archives items are extremely difficult to find today, and our diverse collections focus on subjects such as Irish traditional music, Irish folk songs, Scottish music, and Irish contributions to American popular music.

Composer/Producer blending folk melodies with neoclassical vibes, and cinematic verve, my work is a mix of original compositions and contemporary arrangements of traditional tunes.  I hope you enjoy the music! 

Philleann (pronouced PHILLY-ENN) is a mash up of my name Phil and one of the instruments I play, the Uilleann Pipes.  I also play the Whistle and Accordion.

I'm a Brit now residing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I'm also a member of Bellow Bridge a traditional celtic folk band.

David Sidman has been guitar-picking melodies on Irish, Old-Time and Bluegrass tunes for over 40 years, performing at festivals and venues such as NEFFA, Theatre80, the Eagle Tavern, Swift’s, Slainte, Passim, etc., and with artists such as Kenny Kosek, Harry Bolick, Christy McNamara, Jimmy Coen and many others.  He also plays for the Celtic sword-dance team Half Moon Sword, and is a fixture on the NY contra dance scene with David Sidman’s Elastic Band, often featuring his son Jonah on fiddle.  As a Jazz player, he has worked with the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, Leroy Jenkins, Rahn Burton, Ken McIntyre, Danny Mixon and many others, and his own his band Speak of the Sun has issued several commercial recordings of original music and performed internationally at major festivals and clubs such as the Kool Jazz Festival and The Blue Note.

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