Description:
Smith Byrnes O'Sullivan (SBO Band) is a powerhouse band of London based musicians, based around a trio of Fiddle, Accordion and Guitar, the band take many forms with different musicians and line ups – but always with the same core mission – to deliver exquisite contemporary Celtic tunes ranging from driving folk-funk with a heavy back beat, to beautiful slow melodic tunes.
Jamie Smith hails from Glasgow, Scotland. Jamie began as a classical musician, moving to folk music at fifteen. He moved to London in 2002 to pursue a career in journalism, whilst simultaneously establishing himself as a major force on the London session scene. Jamie was a finalist at the BBC Radio Scotland Young Trad Musician of the Year award in 2002. He released his solo album in 2006 and went on to form ‘The Long Notes’ with accordionist Colette O’Leary and banjo maestro Brian Kelly. Smith, Byrnes & O’Sullivan is Jamie’s latest project, born out of their weekly session at O’Grady’s in Ilford, East London.
Liam O’Sullivan began playing button accordion at the age of twelve, winning five all-Britain titles in his teens. He’s toured and recorded with award-winning trad Irish band Mise, and is featured in the opening credits of the Irish Music Channel. Liam’s also toured with two sell-out stage productions – Gaelforce Dance and Irish Nights – taking him throughout Europe and as far away as Taiwan, Thailand and Tasmania.
Steve Byrnes is from Kilkenny in Ireland and is studying jazz drumming and popular music in London. He’s also a great guitar player and a lovely singer. He toured with English folk group ‘Uiscedwr’ and is a member of several rock bands back in Ireland. He’s much in demand in London since moving here in 2007.
