So very sad..another true legend now gone. It was an honor to have known him and shared some tunes with him. He was always the true gentleman, he welcomed and encouraged us all.
Very sad news. 2 tracks of his playing, duetting with brother Paddy lilting, always made me smile - see recording below
[ which I think can be heard on Bill Black's website ].
No doubt a lot of people will chime in who've had tunes with Mike Rafferty or sat in on sessions with him--a testament to how much he enjoyed sharing the tunes with people.
It was listening to Mike's way with tunes and chatting with him a bit at the 1999 Washington DC Irish Festival that inspired me to learn flute. Didn't take long to realize first-hand the depth and richness of his deceptively "easy" playing.
Sorry to hear of his passing. Everything I’ve heard about Mike Rafferty had him as a great gentleman and fluteplayer, and I’m sure he will be sorely missed by his family, and many in the community.
I only ever heard a few pieces of his playing, one of them being this link
I remember getting to know him and play with him for several days and evenings over in Ireland. It was truly a pleasure to have known him and play with him. I was blessed enough to have seen him and Joe Madden play together. I hope they are playing tunes now.
What a mighty influence and a mighty inspiration to so many of us. We should all hope to be so blessed as to touch as many souls in our lives as Mr. Rafferty did.
He truly had a magical aura. My playing always improved just by being in his presence. I'll be playing from his lesson tapes for the rest of my life.
Rest in peace Mike. And peace and comfort to all who knew and loved him.
Mike will be sadly missed by the Irish music community but always fondly remembered and, thankfully, available to us for all the recordings he made in his golden years with his daughter Mary and many musical friends.
Here are the funeral details this week:
Thursday, September 15, 2011
viewing/wake
2:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Costa Memorial Home
170 Central Avenue
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
201-288-0234
Friday, September 16, 2011
11:00 a.m. funeral Mass
Corpus Christi Church
260 Boulevard (between Washington Place and Kipp Avenue)
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
201-288-4844
Interment will follow at
Holy Cross Cemetery
340 Ridge Road
North Arlington, NJ 07031
I am so sad to hear of his passing. Righ now I'm listening to his album with Mary, "The Road from Ballinakill" with tears in my eyes. My condolences to Mary, the rest of his family, and friends including Willie Kelly who recorded with him, and has been my fiddle teacher at the SE Tionol. Mike has left a legacy of great music and will surely be missed by many in the ITM community. We will play some tunes and lift a glass to him tonight at our Session.
Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Sadly, Mike Rafferty passed away last night. He was a legend on the flute and inspired many to play.
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by pipersgrip
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Goodbye Mike. Thanks for everything.
David
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by David Levine
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Sorry to hear that. I met him in the Catskills back in 2006. Cheers for the tunes, Mike.
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
So very sad..another true legend now gone. It was an honor to have known him and shared some tunes with him. He was always the true gentleman, he welcomed and encouraged us all.
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by vega
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Very sad news. 2 tracks of his playing, duetting with brother Paddy lilting, always made me smile - see recording below
[ which I think can be heard on Bill Black's website ].
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1929
May he rest in peace.
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by Kenny
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
No doubt a lot of people will chime in who've had tunes with Mike Rafferty or sat in on sessions with him--a testament to how much he enjoyed sharing the tunes with people.
It was listening to Mike's way with tunes and chatting with him a bit at the 1999 Washington DC Irish Festival that inspired me to learn flute. Didn't take long to realize first-hand the depth and richness of his deceptively "easy" playing.
What a good-hearted, generous man.
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by Will Harmon
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Bail ó Dhia oraibh! Greetings all!
Sorry to hear of his passing. Everything I’ve heard about Mike Rafferty had him as a great gentleman and fluteplayer, and I’m sure he will be sorely missed by his family, and many in the community.
I only ever heard a few pieces of his playing, one of them being this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8Nw4Mr8bzA
I just love the gentle introduction, and the warmth and intimacy of the music.
Condolences and kind thoughts to his family and friends,
Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas dá anam!
Brian x
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by briantheflute
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
I remember getting to know him and play with him for several days and evenings over in Ireland. It was truly a pleasure to have known him and play with him. I was blessed enough to have seen him and Joe Madden play together. I hope they are playing tunes now.
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by pipersgrip
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
What a mighty influence and a mighty inspiration to so many of us. We should all hope to be so blessed as to touch as many souls in our lives as Mr. Rafferty did.
He truly had a magical aura. My playing always improved just by being in his presence. I'll be playing from his lesson tapes for the rest of my life.
Rest in peace Mike. And peace and comfort to all who knew and loved him.
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by browndog
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
A fine gentleman who taught a lot of people a lot of tunes.
# Posted on September 13th 2011 by AlBrown
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Another of the proper musicians passes
he was a great player, and great man
RIP Mike
# Posted on September 14th 2011 by gooseinthenettles
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Thank you for the music.
# Posted on September 14th 2011 by halfwaythere
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Rest in Peace
# Posted on September 14th 2011 by Renée Adorée
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
Mike will be sadly missed by the Irish music community but always fondly remembered and, thankfully, available to us for all the recordings he made in his golden years with his daughter Mary and many musical friends.
Here are the funeral details this week:
Thursday, September 15, 2011
viewing/wake
2:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Costa Memorial Home
170 Central Avenue
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
201-288-0234
Friday, September 16, 2011
11:00 a.m. funeral Mass
Corpus Christi Church
260 Boulevard (between Washington Place and Kipp Avenue)
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
201-288-4844
Interment will follow at
Holy Cross Cemetery
340 Ridge Road
North Arlington, NJ 07031
# Posted on September 14th 2011 by clareman
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
I am so sad to hear of his passing. Righ now I'm listening to his album with Mary, "The Road from Ballinakill" with tears in my eyes. My condolences to Mary, the rest of his family, and friends including Willie Kelly who recorded with him, and has been my fiddle teacher at the SE Tionol. Mike has left a legacy of great music and will surely be missed by many in the ITM community. We will play some tunes and lift a glass to him tonight at our Session.
Rest in Peace,
Vicki
# Posted on September 14th 2011 by birdfiddler
Re: Rest in Peace Mike Rafferty
http://www.northjersey.com/obituaries/Mike_Rafferty_of_Hasbrouck_Heights_legend_of_Irish_traditional_music_dies_at_84.html
# Posted on September 15th 2011 by pipersgrip