Tunesday Tunes at Galway Bay: A Night with Irish Music Legends Jimmy Keane and Kavan Donohoe

Session: Galway Bay
Location: 500 W. Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL
Day/Time: Tuesdays from 8-10 pm
Session Leaders: Jimmy Keane and Kavan Donohoe

I wandered down the stairs at Galway Bay on a stormy Tuesday night in July for a session led by the legendary Jimmy Keane and the multi-talented Kavan Donohoe. Jimmy, a piano accordion virtuoso, and Kavan, an accomplished harpist who played guitar and uilleann pipes during the session, created an unforgettable evening of music.

The sessions in Chicago vary so wildly, and this one is always a small group, nearly a performance in itself. While the session is open to all players of all levels, to have the most fun in this session, you need to show up with a few of your A-game tunes because there’s nowhere to hide. For the first half of the session, it was just me, vulnerably exposed on whistle and Jimmy leading on accordion with Kavan backing on guitar. You’ll want to have a long list of tunes ready, perhaps on the notes app on your phone, because they will let you play all of them. Jimmy and Kavan have a broad repertoire of tunes and can play along to nearly anything you throw at them. That being said, I believe any level of musician is welcome and accommodated in this session. Jimmy and Kavan meet you where you are, and then just push the envelope a little bit to leave you feeling productively challenged.

I started a good dozen sets that I felt really comfortable with but I couldn’t help being mesmerized by Jimmy and Kavan’s world-class playing. Their skill and passion for the music were evident in every note. Jimmy’s fingers flew over the keys of his piano accordion with such smoothness and speed that it seemed effortless. Kavan’s accompaniment on guitar and creative variations on pipes added a rich, rhythmic depth to the tunes. I, on the other hand, fumbled over tunes that I usually can play backward and forward because I was so in awe at the depth of their musicianship. Sitting around the table absorbing the energy of these two amazing musicians was an absolute privilege that only Chicago can provide.

What stands out about Jimmy Keane is his gentle giant persona. He’s soft-spoken, kind, and always welcoming. Despite my intermediate skill level, he never slowed down the tunes for me, which I appreciated. It felt like a sign of respect, pushing me to improve and learn. Playing tunes like "Kitty’s Wedding" and "The Home Ruler," at a brisk pace was exhilarating. He pushed "Fig for a Kiss," so often played a bit slow and melancholy, until it transformed into a quick, flirtatious and playful slip jig that left me buzzing with inspiration.

Kavan, with his youthful energy and serious approach to music, brought a refreshing dynamic to the session. His guitar accompaniment and his switch to the pipes in the second hour completely changed the session’s vibe. I love that Irish music has a multigenerational community, where friends and mentors of all ages come together to create something beautiful. Kavan told me he used to admire Jimmy’s band, Bohola, as a kid and now really enjoys playing tunes and learning from him.

Galway Bay itself is a character in this story. It's an old underground dive bar with a rich history. The walls, still yellowed from years of cigarette smoke, and the low drop ceilings give it an authentic feel. The musicians sit around a large wooden booth and table surrounded by bookshelves, creating an intimate and cozy setting. The bar's collection of books, artwork, and comfortable seating areas makes you feel like you’re really in the coolest basement in the neighborhood.  As the storm picked up outside, you could smell the humidity seep into the old wood in the bar.   Far away from the musicians, the other side of the bar has a large space where you can play pool, darts, and enjoy a pint of Guinness while listening to some of the best traditional Irish music in Chicago.  Galway Bay was my friends’ and my favorite dive bar in the early 2000s.  Back then, we’d smoke and drink PBR and whiskey while playing darts and eating popcorn.  Many memories, stories and laughs happened in that space.  Walking back in after 20 years to play music was a surreal experience, like walking into a time capsule, the popcorn machine still full. 

Jimmy started this session with the late Dennis Cahill in 2019, an internationally acclaimed guitarist who regularly attended until his tragic passing in 2022 from early onset dementia. I didn’t make it into the Irish music scene early enough to have met Dennis. I so wish I had. Martin Hayes said in a tribute letter to him,

“You matched the beauty of these traditional Irish melodies with your own equally beautiful sequences of chords and hypnotic rhythms. Every night we played, we would give it our all, we’d zig and zag until we locked in. Some of those moments were sublime moments where our connection was truly telepathic.”

I like to think that Dennis’s energy still inspires the musicians at Galway Bay on Tuesday nights.

Jimmy and Kavan restarted the session after Covid restrictions lifted, with support from the bar owners, Nolan Rafferty and Jason Conklin. It’s a space where musicians of all levels are welcomed and encouraged to join the inner circle and share their tunes. Jimmy’s approach to leading sessions is shaped by his rich history in Irish music. Born in London to Irish-speaking parents, Jimmy started learning the accordion at the age of seven. His father was a magnificent sean-nos singer, and his parents encouraged him to take up traditional Irish music. Jimmy’s early influences included local greats like Joe Cooley, Johnny McGreevy, and Kevin Henry. Over the years, he’s developed a unique style of piano accordion playing that has influenced many. He’s won five consecutive All-Ireland titles on the piano accordion and has played with numerous renowned musicians and groups, including Liz Carroll, Mick Moloney, Robbie O’Connell, and Dennis Cahill.

Kavan, too, brings a rich background to the session. He’s performed on television shows like Blas Ceoil (BBC 2) and The Fleadh Cheoil (RTÉ 1) and featured on RTÉ Radio 1 and BBC Radio Ulster. His first album, Kavan from Cavan, was released in 2011 and is available online. It’s an amazing listen, my favorite track has to be the reels, Back in the Garden and Union Street Session which combines the relaxing tones of the harp with edgy chords and syncopated accompaniment leaving you invigorated and rejuvenated like experiencing a runner’s high on the lakefront path. Kavan told me that he finds balance and clarity through his training for marathons and triathlons. His dedication to both music and sports is evident in his disciplined approach and the energy he brings to his music. I’m looking forward to the release of his next album in 2025.  

As the night progressed, the tunes "The March of the Kings of Laois" and "O’Sullivan’s March," played as jigs, were highlights. The combination of Kavan’s pipes and Jimmy’s accordion created a dance-like rhythm, especially with the playful crans at the end of each section. I’m looking forward to learning and playing these tunes the next time I see them both. Sheet music for these jigs is available here for members of The Trad Tourist.

The session at Galway Bay is more than just a gathering of musicians; it’s a community where everyone is welcomed and encouraged. Regular guests like Pauline Conneely, Jimmy Moore, Pat Broaders, and Kathleen Conneely bring their unique talents and stories, adding to the rich tapestry of the evening.

Galway Bay, with its nostalgic charm and authentic Irish pub feel, is a place where memories are made. Whether you're there for the music, the atmosphere, or the camaraderie, it's a place that stays with you long after you leave. Jimmy’s description of the session captures its essence:

“I have always led sessions in the manner which I learned to do since I was a kid - make sure the session is open to all levels from beginners to visiting professional traditional musicians, and try to keep as many musicians playing during the session. When I started, the older musicians would always invite me to the inner circle and have me play the new/old tunes I learned since our last meeting. Once I exhausted those, I would move back to the outer part of the circle and record any/every tune I did not know until I’d slowly built up a stack of tunes.”