Eamon O'Tuama

Singer/songwriter Eamon O'Tuama, originally from Ireland, now calls New York home, where his work fuses elements from both places into a cohesive sound. His first album, Down With a Smile, appeared in 1996 on the CBM label after being tracked in the United States and issued back in Ireland.

He arrived in New York during 1989 and began performing alone at local spots such as An Beal Bocht, the Sidewalk Cafe, CBGB's Gallery, and Sin E Cafe. Toward the close of the decade he assembled a supporting group that featured drummer Chris Duignan, violinist Caroline Dutton, and electric guitarist John Vignone, later expanding the lineup with bassist Donna Bender.

The pronounced Celtic character of his material arises from his distinctive accent, reflective outlook, and introspective words, yet it also draws on contributions from several Irish colleagues on that debut, among them Winnie Horan, Seamus Egan, James Keane, and Susan McKeown of Chanting House. Greg Anderson supplied additional input while serving as engineer and producer, and the sessions incorporated traditional sounds from the fiddle, uilleann pipes, and low whistle. Continuing the pattern established with his opening release, he delivered the thirteen-song collection Behind Every Life in 2001.

Born in Cork, O'Tuama began writing material during his university years, and relocation to the United States helped bring wider notice to his abilities as a performer and composer. He has shared stages and studio work with Anderson, Gabriel Donahue, Dorothy Scott, and Pierce Turner, along with other collaborators.