John Mahony has been playing music since taking up the accordion at the age of 7. He has played guitar for over 40 years, largely as a finger-style guitarist exploring the blues, ragtime, swing and jazz continuum. Over 25 years ago, he turned his attention to the fiddle, taken with traditional Appalachian (old-time) music. While plumbing the depths of old-time music he took up clawhammer banjo, a pleasure that continues today.
During the ’80’s, Mr. Mahony performed in an early jazz guitar/clarinet duet with Dave Lopresti, held down the guitar duties of the Mitch Tabas Trio and in the ’90’s was a founder and fiddler of the old-time string band, The Rorschach County Ramblers.

John’s musical education includes jazz guitar with Joe Federico, violin with Palmer Loux, and jazz violin with John Blake, Jr. He is currently studying theory, composition and improvisation with Chuck Anderson and composition with Kile Smith. He also teaches music theory and improvisation.

As a member of No Irish Need Apply, John plays fiddle, guitar, banjo and mandolin.