Nathan Gourley
Fiddle in the Irish tradition. Performer, recording artist, and teacher based in Boston.
Traditional Irish Music
Nathan Gourley is a Boston-based fiddler known for his expressive and distinctive playing in the Irish tradition. A sought-after performer and teacher, he has recorded and toured extensively, contributing both melody and accompaniment to projects spanning continents and decades.
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Nathan started fiddle at the age of five and developed a distinctive style rooted in the Irish tradition. While in the Midwest, he collaborated with renowned musicians including Paddy O'Brien and Dáithí Sproule, shaping his approach to both melody and accompaniment before moving to Boston.
His collaborative work includes Brightly or Darkly with Laura Feddersen, Copley Street 1 & 2 with Joey Abarta and Owen Marshall, The Truckley Howl with Mairéad Hurley and John Blake, and the quartet Ship in the Clouds. His playing has made him a fixture in traditional music circles worldwide, with performances and teaching at festivals across North America and Europe.
Recordings
These collaborations span a wide range of the Irish tradition.
Bright and Early 2014
Trio project with Paddy O’Brien (accordion) and Dáithí Sproule (guitar).
Upcoming
Groton Hill's St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Groton Hill Music Center (Concert Hall) · Groton, MA
Sun, 3:00 PM · From $39
Tickets →Gulf Coast Cruinniú
University of St. Thomas · Houston, TX
Irish All Star Concert: Jun 6, 7:30 PM · Jones Hall
Details →“Nathan Gourley is one of the absolute best Irish fiddlers out there.”Devon Léger, Hearth Music (2025)
“There are fiddle duet albums, and then there are magnum opus-level fiddle duet albums.”Sean Smith, Boston Irish
“The music they make together is truly stunning.”Daniel Neely, Irish Echo
“Gourley flows more fluidly as a fiddler, pulling out restful pauses in tunes and looking for silence between the notes.”Devon Léger, Songlines
“All three of these musicians are masters of their respective instruments…”Richard Gee, FolkWorks
“…driving and accentuating the melody line with a joyous sense of rhythm.”David Kidman, The Living Tradition
“…a top-class fiddle player.”Celtic-Rock.de
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