This is definitely the place for ITM in Baltimore. Located just a stone's throw from the historic Fort McHenry, J. Patricks has something going on every night of the week.
On Monday, there is a beginner/intermediate session. Some people use music, some people don't. Some people have played their instruments for years, and others are just learning. There is no leader for this session, but if you are an out-of-towner, a few of the locals will naturally take some control.
The session on Tuesday is advanced, and is led by Jim Eagan (fiddle) and Laura Byrne (flute). I go to this session, but don't usually expect to play many tunes because the tune selection is quite diverse. Regardless, the music is incredible, so if nothing else, just come to listen.
The session on Thursday is advanced as well, but I find it to be a bit more accessible. It is led by Peter Fitzgerald (banjo), and there tend to be more musicians and pub patrons than on Tuesdays. Therefore, to keep the musicians active, the tunes tend to be a bit more common, but still varied enough to satisfy me.
On Wednesdays, there are Irish dance lessons, and on Friday-Sunday, there are local ITM bands playing. Also, look for the monthly ceilis.
I was gonna mention this in Emily's discussion, but I figured it would get lost in the mix for anyone who was truly interested, so I'll just mention it here. I graduate (from college-- woo hoo!) tomorrow, which means I'll be back in Baltimore as of this weekend. Indeed, J. Patrick's is the main place for sessions right now, but there is a newer establishment where last I knew, there was a session being held Sunday afternoons. I'll verify this and post it when I know for certain. There was also a session going last year on Sundays at a restaurant in Fells Point, but when football season started, that session died. Anywho, in case anyone was wondering, that's the session status in Baltimore.
In response to Jack, I know Jeremy doesn't like info about sessions being posted on the discussion board, but I didn't perceive this post as being of that nature. Rather, in Emily's thread about flutes and intonation, a few people commented about the sessions in Baltimore. Instead of responding there, where the comment would likely get lost as it did not pertain to Emily's initial question, I figured I would just post my comment here.
In response to Zina, yes, J. Patrick's is where those guys would play. Although, in the 3 years or so that I've been on the scene, it seems that you'll be more apt to find Billy's son Sean (also a box player) playing. For the most part, the younger contigency of musicians seem to come out the most often. Some of the veterans like Billy and Donna Long still make it out, but perhaps not with as great a frequency as I understand they used to a few years back. Anywho, I'll refrain from anymore name dropping, and cross my fingers that this post doesn't get the axe
hey, just wondering - is there anywhere around that'll let people under 21 in during sessions? I'm 18 and am having a *bit* of trouble in this arena, Thanks.
I'm a college student who has been playing guitar and mandolin in sessions and at ceillis pretty much all my life, and the J. Patrick's Tuesday night sessions is hands-down the most unfriendly and unwelcoming session I've ever been to. I understand and follow all the tacit the rules of session etiquette -- I was taught them quite explicity by people much older and wiser than I (most notably, Bruce Foley, formerly of the Irish Tradition)-- and many of the players at J. Patrick's really overdo it. It's as if you aren't welcome playing there if you haven't been doing so your whole life, and I have been made to feel that way (unwelcome) just about every time I've sessioned there. I no longer go to the J. Patrick's session, and I hope someone who does will read this and take note and mention it to somebody so that no one else gets driven away.
Hi Robbie, sorry to hear of your rotten experience. Just for a little background info, I joined thesession.org a little over 2 years ago, just when I started playing Irish flute, so I am very much a beginner, though very much a veteran on this website. Although Baltimore is my hometown & I currently live here, I was living in rural Arizona when I took up the music & relied heavily on this website for information about sessions & tunes, up until last May when I moved back to Baltimore. It should go without saying that what you write on here lives a long while, & unlike sites like Chiff & Fipple which you can edit, you obviously can't on here. I so rarely log on here anymore, I wouldn't even have found your comments, except someone from J. Patrick's spotted it, & well, you can imagine.
What I think is truly bizarre is that you want to fit into the scene here, & then publicly slag the players who make up the scene. I was at the Tuesday night session last night with Conán (beloved box player from this website) & he thinks it one of the best sessions he's ever been to, & I think he may post as much when he gets the chance. Last night's usual suspects included Myron Bretholz, Pat Egan, Laura Byrne, Dan Isaacson, Jim Egan & Sean McComiskey, all of them stellar players & fantastic craic. A friendlier group I think you won't find (except when the election is on in the background & the red states keep piling up, but that's a whole different story). What IS true is that they are all very advanced players & have been playing together for a very long time. The Tuesday night sesh is technically open, but I would very much consider it a listening session -- last night was the first time I'd even started a set much less brought my flute out, b/c I mostly go just to record the tunes. There are at least 2 other semi-closed sessions at different venues in Baltimore that are not posted here for that very reason. Monday nights is unbelievably friendly, a slow tune-learning session run by a box player named Bill, where I routinely find out how many tunes I DON'T know. Thursdays run by Peter Fitzgerald is a bit of a wild card, you never know who will show up, in both good & bad ways, but some incredible players have cut their teeth at this session over the years, including Eliot Grasso, Jesse Smith, Cleek Schrey & Kieran O'Hare. I'm not trying to name drop, I'm just letting you know I was very nervous coming back onto the scene here in Baltimore, & I have had nothing but warm support & encouragement. I bring friends to these sessions all the time, even some from this website, & have never had a bad experience. You, on the other hand, by posting your comments, have managed to alienate some of the coolest ppl on the planet, & I feel really sorry for you that you've started out on such a poor footing with some of the best musicians around. Good luck to you, hon! (I'm getting better at saying that these days, in Bawlmer, we call everyone 'hon.' Maybe you could start trying to fit in more by increasing your use of that simple phrase? Heck, it's a start.)
Robbie, sorry but pretty much everything Emily says is true. I've been going to sessions nigh on 17 years and have been playing quite a few years more than that. J Patricks is without doubt one of the best sessions I've been to, in terms of music, craic and warmth of welcome. The musicians are second to none; technically I really should have sat out and listened and yet when I turned up with my instruments they welcomed me with such hospitality that I was overwhelmed. There was no schmaltz or pretence - these are just genuine, down-to-earth people who love a tune and are good enough to do it justice. I've never had session etiquette drummed into me - as I've said in a previous post it's simply a question of being polite and being yourself. Sounds to me like there was a personality clash or misunderstanding in the first instance - these things happen.
I would advise anyone thinking of catching some music in the Baltimore area to make J Patricks your first port of call.
And if any of the patrons are reading this, thanks a million for making my stay in the 'States such a great experience. See you all again soon!
Emily or Conan - I'm going to be in Baltimore on business (I work for SSA) December 13-15. I'd like to drop by for the Monday night session, but I don't know the time or if the session will be going since it's close to Christmas.
Just a bit of an update. The Monday session is officially listed as having a leader now, and while the idea of a "leader" may scare some people, it has tremendously improved the session. It is still a beginner/ intermediate session, but the "leader" has begun to successfully ween people off the written music, tape record, and learn tunes. The whole session definitely has a much more Irish feel to it than it ever has in the past. However, still open to people of all ability levels.
I've only been playing Irish fiddle since January and my friends and I go down to JPatricks for the Tuesday sessions every so often and they're really the friendliest sort I've ever met. Sure, it's impressive and a little scary to hear all these old-timers scratch out tunes for hours, but there's so much to learn from them, and they're all so encouraging and kind. I've actually been seen (by my roommate) to have a fit on some of the days when I couldn't get a ride to the session. Ooops. This is a great session, even if a bit intimidating for a beginner!!!!
Btw, ceilis are the second Sunday of every month. Officially go from 4:30-8:30 PM. There's usually a caller. Mostly sets danced. Occasionally a Haymakers gets tossed in. Few waltzes as well. Can have upwards of about 4 sets going. Cost is $5 to get in. Even if you don't dance, come to enjoy the music which is always solid. Odds are you'll wanna dance anyways.
Ceili is then followed by Sunday Drivers which goes until midnight if people are still around. If people aren't around, they'll often stop, or at least that's my understanding. I can't speak for the Sundays when there aren't ceilis.
As for the Friday and Saturday night music, usually starts around 9 and goes until close which I think is around 1. Could be wrong on this, but if nothing else, it at least goes until midnight. Some groups are more ballad-y, others are instrumental. Best bet is to call the pub if you really wanna know before heading down. Second and third weekends of the month typically have bands that are more than willing to play for dancers, so we'll often get a set going.
If I brought my guitar (DADGAD, trained by Daithi Sproule, Randal Bays, Hans York), could I sit in just a wee bit at J. Patricks... ? that's a Thursday night I host a session in the Seattle area.
Finally got around to asking a few more questions about the schedule, and here's what I can say in regards to the weekend schedule. Friday and Saturday there is live music from 9 until 1 (closing). All of the bands are traditional. Some play more sets and therefore cater to dancers (we usually get a set going on the 2nd and 3rd Friday of each month). Other bands do more of the ballad thing and therefore would be more suitable to either listening or waltzing. Also there is indeed music every Sunday evening. It's the Sunday Drivers which is Andy Thurston on guitar and whoever else he gets to play with him. Call in advance to make sure he is playing as there seem to be occasional weeks off.
I haven't seen Sunday Drivers after the monthly ceilis on Sunday in a while so I kind of get the impression that there isn't Sunday evening music anymore. If it's something you're looking for I would call in advance to get a definite answer.
Regarding my above comment about Sunday Drivers, they still in fact play every Sunday night, except for after the 2nd Sunday ceilis since everyone tends to clear out after the dancing is done. So, if you're in town and looking for live Irish music on Sunday nights, you can still find it at J. Pat's.
This is definitely the place for ITM in Baltimore. Located just a stone's throw from the historic Fort McHenry, J. Patricks has something going on every night of the week.
On Monday, there is a beginner/intermediate session. Some people use music, some people don't. Some people have played their instruments for years, and others are just learning. There is no leader for this session, but if you are an out-of-towner, a few of the locals will naturally take some control.
The session on Tuesday is advanced, and is led by Jim Eagan (fiddle) and Laura Byrne (flute). I go to this session, but don't usually expect to play many tunes because the tune selection is quite diverse. Regardless, the music is incredible, so if nothing else, just come to listen.
The session on Thursday is advanced as well, but I find it to be a bit more accessible. It is led by Peter Fitzgerald (banjo), and there tend to be more musicians and pub patrons than on Tuesdays. Therefore, to keep the musicians active, the tunes tend to be a bit more common, but still varied enough to satisfy me.
On Wednesdays, there are Irish dance lessons, and on Friday-Sunday, there are local ITM bands playing. Also, look for the monthly ceilis.
# Posted on November 23rd 2003 by Jason G
Sessions in Baltimore
I was gonna mention this in Emily's discussion, but I figured it would get lost in the mix for anyone who was truly interested, so I'll just mention it here. I graduate (from college-- woo hoo!) tomorrow, which means I'll be back in Baltimore as of this weekend. Indeed, J. Patrick's is the main place for sessions right now, but there is a newer establishment where last I knew, there was a session being held Sunday afternoons. I'll verify this and post it when I know for certain. There was also a session going last year on Sundays at a restaurant in Fells Point, but when football season started, that session died. Anywho, in case anyone was wondering, that's the session status in Baltimore.
Jason
# Posted on May 13th 2004 by Jason G
Re: Sessions in Baltimore
Is J.Patrick's where Eliot Grasso and Billy McComiskey usually play out?
# Posted on May 13th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Sessions in Baltimore
In response to Jack, I know Jeremy doesn't like info about sessions being posted on the discussion board, but I didn't perceive this post as being of that nature. Rather, in Emily's thread about flutes and intonation, a few people commented about the sessions in Baltimore. Instead of responding there, where the comment would likely get lost as it did not pertain to Emily's initial question, I figured I would just post my comment here.
In response to Zina, yes, J. Patrick's is where those guys would play. Although, in the 3 years or so that I've been on the scene, it seems that you'll be more apt to find Billy's son Sean (also a box player) playing. For the most part, the younger contigency of musicians seem to come out the most often. Some of the veterans like Billy and Donna Long still make it out, but perhaps not with as great a frequency as I understand they used to a few years back. Anywho, I'll refrain from anymore name dropping, and cross my fingers that this post doesn't get the axe
Jason
# Posted on May 13th 2004 by Jason G
Sessions - age
hey, just wondering - is there anywhere around that'll let people under 21 in during sessions? I'm 18 and am having a *bit* of trouble in this arena, Thanks.
# Posted on July 5th 2004 by tualha04
J. Patrick's session is unfriendly
I'm a college student who has been playing guitar and mandolin in sessions and at ceillis pretty much all my life, and the J. Patrick's Tuesday night sessions is hands-down the most unfriendly and unwelcoming session I've ever been to. I understand and follow all the tacit the rules of session etiquette -- I was taught them quite explicity by people much older and wiser than I (most notably, Bruce Foley, formerly of the Irish Tradition)-- and many of the players at J. Patrick's really overdo it. It's as if you aren't welcome playing there if you haven't been doing so your whole life, and I have been made to feel that way (unwelcome) just about every time I've sessioned there. I no longer go to the J. Patrick's session, and I hope someone who does will read this and take note and mention it to somebody so that no one else gets driven away.
# Posted on October 24th 2004 by rwhelan
Hi Robbie, sorry to hear of your rotten experience. Just for a little background info, I joined thesession.org a little over 2 years ago, just when I started playing Irish flute, so I am very much a beginner, though very much a veteran on this website. Although Baltimore is my hometown & I currently live here, I was living in rural Arizona when I took up the music & relied heavily on this website for information about sessions & tunes, up until last May when I moved back to Baltimore. It should go without saying that what you write on here lives a long while, & unlike sites like Chiff & Fipple which you can edit, you obviously can't on here. I so rarely log on here anymore, I wouldn't even have found your comments, except someone from J. Patrick's spotted it, & well, you can imagine.
What I think is truly bizarre is that you want to fit into the scene here, & then publicly slag the players who make up the scene. I was at the Tuesday night session last night with Conán (beloved box player from this website) & he thinks it one of the best sessions he's ever been to, & I think he may post as much when he gets the chance. Last night's usual suspects included Myron Bretholz, Pat Egan, Laura Byrne, Dan Isaacson, Jim Egan & Sean McComiskey, all of them stellar players & fantastic craic. A friendlier group I think you won't find (except when the election is on in the background & the red states keep piling up, but that's a whole different story). What IS true is that they are all very advanced players & have been playing together for a very long time. The Tuesday night sesh is technically open, but I would very much consider it a listening session -- last night was the first time I'd even started a set much less brought my flute out, b/c I mostly go just to record the tunes. There are at least 2 other semi-closed sessions at different venues in Baltimore that are not posted here for that very reason. Monday nights is unbelievably friendly, a slow tune-learning session run by a box player named Bill, where I routinely find out how many tunes I DON'T know. Thursdays run by Peter Fitzgerald is a bit of a wild card, you never know who will show up, in both good & bad ways, but some incredible players have cut their teeth at this session over the years, including Eliot Grasso, Jesse Smith, Cleek Schrey & Kieran O'Hare. I'm not trying to name drop, I'm just letting you know I was very nervous coming back onto the scene here in Baltimore, & I have had nothing but warm support & encouragement. I bring friends to these sessions all the time, even some from this website, & have never had a bad experience. You, on the other hand, by posting your comments, have managed to alienate some of the coolest ppl on the planet, & I feel really sorry for you that you've started out on such a poor footing with some of the best musicians around. Good luck to you, hon! (I'm getting better at saying that these days, in Bawlmer, we call everyone 'hon.' Maybe you could start trying to fit in more by increasing your use of that simple phrase? Heck, it's a start.)
# Posted on November 3rd 2004 by emily_bmore
J Patrick's session is FRIENDLY!
Robbie, sorry but pretty much everything Emily says is true. I've been going to sessions nigh on 17 years and have been playing quite a few years more than that. J Patricks is without doubt one of the best sessions I've been to, in terms of music, craic and warmth of welcome. The musicians are second to none; technically I really should have sat out and listened and yet when I turned up with my instruments they welcomed me with such hospitality that I was overwhelmed. There was no schmaltz or pretence - these are just genuine, down-to-earth people who love a tune and are good enough to do it justice. I've never had session etiquette drummed into me - as I've said in a previous post it's simply a question of being polite and being yourself. Sounds to me like there was a personality clash or misunderstanding in the first instance - these things happen.
I would advise anyone thinking of catching some music in the Baltimore area to make J Patricks your first port of call.
And if any of the patrons are reading this, thanks a million for making my stay in the 'States such a great experience. See you all again soon!
# Posted on November 9th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Monday's session start time?
Emily or Conan - I'm going to be in Baltimore on business (I work for SSA) December 13-15. I'd like to drop by for the Monday night session, but I don't know the time or if the session will be going since it's close to Christmas.
Monday's session is open, right?
Thanks,
Eric
# Posted on November 19th 2004 by Jayhawk
Just a bit of an update. The Monday session is officially listed as having a leader now, and while the idea of a "leader" may scare some people, it has tremendously improved the session. It is still a beginner/ intermediate session, but the "leader" has begun to successfully ween people off the written music, tape record, and learn tunes. The whole session definitely has a much more Irish feel to it than it ever has in the past. However, still open to people of all ability levels.
# Posted on October 23rd 2005 by Jason G
Times
Just realized that I've previously neglected to post times for the sessions.
Monday: 8 PM-10PM (we occasionally stay a bit later, but odds are, if you show up much beyond 10, the place will be shut down)
Tues/Thurs.: 9 PM-12AM (Irish time of course)
Weekend stuff: not sure really... prolly anytime after 9 PM or so, but I could be wrong. May wanna call ahead of time if your schedule is that tight.
OK, that's my update for now... until I get procrastinating again and decide to post something else.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Jason G
I've only been playing Irish fiddle since January and my friends and I go down to JPatricks for the Tuesday sessions every so often and they're really the friendliest sort I've ever met. Sure, it's impressive and a little scary to hear all these old-timers scratch out tunes for hours, but there's so much to learn from them, and they're all so encouraging and kind. I've actually been seen (by my roommate) to have a fit on some of the days when I couldn't get a ride to the session. Ooops. This is a great session, even if a bit intimidating for a beginner!!!!
# Posted on August 2nd 2006 by Camilla
Ceilis and such
Btw, ceilis are the second Sunday of every month. Officially go from 4:30-8:30 PM. There's usually a caller. Mostly sets danced. Occasionally a Haymakers gets tossed in. Few waltzes as well. Can have upwards of about 4 sets going. Cost is $5 to get in. Even if you don't dance, come to enjoy the music which is always solid. Odds are you'll wanna dance anyways.
Ceili is then followed by Sunday Drivers which goes until midnight if people are still around. If people aren't around, they'll often stop, or at least that's my understanding. I can't speak for the Sundays when there aren't ceilis.
As for the Friday and Saturday night music, usually starts around 9 and goes until close which I think is around 1. Could be wrong on this, but if nothing else, it at least goes until midnight. Some groups are more ballad-y, others are instrumental. Best bet is to call the pub if you really wanna know before heading down. Second and third weekends of the month typically have bands that are more than willing to play for dancers, so we'll often get a set going.
# Posted on August 10th 2006 by Jason G
Coming to Baltimore Sept. 21st 2006
If I brought my guitar (DADGAD, trained by Daithi Sproule, Randal Bays, Hans York), could I sit in just a wee bit at J. Patricks... ? that's a Thursday night I host a session in the Seattle area.
Thanks! Martin Nyberg
# Posted on September 14th 2006 by newmountain
Another update
Finally got around to asking a few more questions about the schedule, and here's what I can say in regards to the weekend schedule. Friday and Saturday there is live music from 9 until 1 (closing). All of the bands are traditional. Some play more sets and therefore cater to dancers (we usually get a set going on the 2nd and 3rd Friday of each month). Other bands do more of the ballad thing and therefore would be more suitable to either listening or waltzing. Also there is indeed music every Sunday evening. It's the Sunday Drivers which is Andy Thurston on guitar and whoever else he gets to play with him. Call in advance to make sure he is playing as there seem to be occasional weeks off.
# Posted on January 17th 2007 by Jason G
Update
I haven't seen Sunday Drivers after the monthly ceilis on Sunday in a while so I kind of get the impression that there isn't Sunday evening music anymore. If it's something you're looking for I would call in advance to get a definite answer.
# Posted on November 30th 2007 by Jason G
I stand corrected
Regarding my above comment about Sunday Drivers, they still in fact play every Sunday night, except for after the 2nd Sunday ceilis since everyone tends to clear out after the dancing is done. So, if you're in town and looking for live Irish music on Sunday nights, you can still find it at J. Pat's.
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by Jason G
New Wednesday Session
A new session has begun on Wednesdays from 9-11. It is for beginners and is is sheet music friendly. Songs and tunes are welcome. Led by Jennifer.
# Posted on May 21st 2008 by Jason G