Larry reynolds boston

Beyond such formal avenues, Reynolds was widely cited as an ambassador, a go-to guy who got things done, especially if it had anything to do with Irish music. And most of all, he was noted for the personal touch with those new to the music, or new to the area or both , always providing encouragement and advice.

Figure in the gigs the father did without the son, as well as those he played before Mike was born, and the numbers verge on the astronomical. There are plenty of musicians who have gotten burned out, and have had to take some time away -- some never came back to it. But my father kept on and kept on. He just loved it.

He fed off it. He put them all together, in a way that only somebody who truly understood them could. He really exemplified the music. He looked at the broader spectrum: marches, planxtys, polkas, slides and so on.

He had a knack for getting to know what people liked, what made them happy, and his technical quality was so good that he could play in those different styles.

But while Reynolds grew up in a household filled with music and dance, as a young man he found many Irish turning up their noses at such traditions. He also played with his brother Sean as a duo in some of the major traditional music competitions on the East Coast. After Noel Henry passed away May he rest in peace.

Brian, age 14, plays fiddle and electric guitar; Andrew, 9, plays saxophone; and Megan, 11, is a prize-winning step dancer. The love of traditional Irish music and culture instilled in Larry, Jr. The Boston Comhaltas Ceili Band, formed in , grew naturally out of sessions and musical friendships.

Reynolds routinely played his fiddle until well past midnight, went home to Waltham, and awoke at 5 a. Lawrence F. Reynolds Sr. According to family lore, a brother bought him a fiddle when he was 10, and a sister paid for him to take lessons. Upon arriving in Boston, he immersed himself in the local Irish music scene.

They married in in Concord and lived in Somerville and Lexington before settling in Waltham in All of their children became musicians, and Mr.

Reynolds performed frequently with three of his sons: Larry Jr. In , Mr. Reynolds helped found the Boston branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. The group, which promotes Irish culture, music, and dance, raised money for young musicians in Ireland and hosted nationwide competitions, with Mr.