Patrick Ball

Patrick Ball is a premier American interpreter of the Celtic harp and a master storyteller who has played a pivotal role in the revival of the wire-strung harp. Unlike most modern Celtic harpers who use nylon or gut strings, Ball utilizes a brass-strung instrument played with the fingernails, a technique that recreates the authentic, shimmering sonority of the medieval and Renaissance Irish tradition.

His career is characterized by a deep academic foundation, holding a Master's in History, which informs his meticulous approach to the repertoire of Turlough O'Carolan and traditional Irish dance tunes. Ball's work is significant for its integration of the oral tradition, often blending spoken-word narratives of Irish folklore with instrumental passages. His discography, largely released on the Fortuna and Celestial Harmonies labels, has become a staple of the contemporary folk and New Age charts, though his work maintains a rigorous historical integrity that distinguishes it from more commercialized 'Celtic' music. He bridges the gap between the Appalachian storytelling traditions of North Carolina and the ancient bardic schools of Ireland.