Terribly sad news has reached today that the Mayo musician and composer Conor Walsh passed away suddenly yesterday. My thoughts are with his family.
Update: His family posted a moving tribute on his Facebook page as per below.
Conor was an immensely talented pianist and composer from Mayo who has been making music since his teens. He appeared on Other Voices, Body & Soul, Electric Picnic, Another Love Story and more. I had the pleasure to see him live a few times, most recently, he was a highlight of the music trail I booked for Sounds From A Safe Harbour in Cork in September. He also opened for Hozier in 2013 and contributed scores to short film.
Last year, he released a brilliant debut EP on Ensemble Music, that placed his music in the same breath as minimal electronic composers like Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm and Philip Glass.
His debut and now sadly, last EP is available on Bandcamp.
“Conor treated each performance the same way he treated each and every individual whom with he shared company. He never failed to conjure the highest emotion from a melody just as he never but drew the brightest light from all who met him. The absolute dedication, insatiable energy and infallible passion he committed to his music was mirrored in the attention and engagement he gifted to the conversations of those he shared memorable times with, whether on stage in Ballinalough, on the streets of Swinford or, at home in Ballinisland.
Conor was a talented musician, a tireless conversationalist with an intelligent and informed mind, a skilled fisherman, an amazingly caring brother, son and friend, and most of all, a gentleman to all who were fortunate enough to cross his path. Conor’s imprint on music will continue to flow long past his time, and the impression he left on all who knew him is sure to linger in minds and hearts as distinctly as the echo of the notes he leaves behind him. We will all miss Conor dearly, as we try to come to terms with losing a talented artist and an outstanding friend who still had so much to offer.
The family of Conor would like to sincerely thank everyone who has offered their condolences, your support is appreciated very much, and it is a great help at this difficult time.”
