Just heard of the death of Maurice Bradley. I didn’t know him, other than to see, but he was one of those players you come across,who’s music is part of the background and I think it’s important we mark a person’s departure.
I heard him more often as a fiddle player in recent years but in 1981 we both were in Seán Donnelly’s advanced beginners class at the Willie week. Seán gave us the first part of the Connaughtman’s rambles. The class took turns playing back the part we were given. When Maurice’s turn came he played back the whole tune with a flourish. Seán decided there and then he should go and move to a more advanced class. And that’s my brief encounter and lasting memory of him.