Jimmy Ward (banjo player)
Musical artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jimmy Ward (1909 in Tullagha, Kilfenora – 1987 in Milltown Malbay) was a well known Irish traditional banjo player and lilter out of Milltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland.
Jimmy Ward | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1909 |
| Origin | County Clare, Ireland |
| Died | 1987 (aged 77–78) |
| Genre | Traditional Irish |
| Occupation | Shopkeeper |
| Instruments | Banjo, lilting |
Ward originally played the flute, piccolo and the whistle, but changed to the banjo in the 1940s.[1]
Ward was one of the founders of the renewed Kilfenora Céilí Band in 1927. He was still a part of the band when they won three consecutive All Ireland championships at the Fleadh Cheoil.[1]
He is the namesake of Jimmy Ward's Jig.[2]
In 1974, Ward decided to leave the Kilfenora Céilí Band. He started a new band named Bannermen with PJ Murrihy and Michael Sexton[3]
Later in life, Ward moved to Milltown Malbay, where he opened a small shop.[1] In the early seventies he had a severe car crash in Inagh.[1][4]
Ward died in 1987.[3]