Biography

Hugh Buckley is a Dublin born and based, self-taught guitarist, composer, arranger, educator and author. He has performed throughout Europe, the USA, Argentina and China, working as a sideman and also leading his own groups.

He has performed with a wide array of internationally acclaimed artists including: James Williams, Peter Bernstein, Sheryl Bailey, Jim Mullen, John Stowell, Georgie Fame, Guy Barker, Lisa Stansfield, Ronnie Drew and Van Morrison.

Besides featuring on many recordings as a sideman, Hugh has released four CDs as leader, "Yes Indeed" (1998) w/ James Williams, Peter Washington, Darren Beckett, "Spirit Level" (2001) (both recorded in New York) and the acclaimed "Sketches of Now" (2008), “Only Hugh” solo fingerstyle guitar, (September 2021).  His latest organ trio recording “Purple Dayz” is due for release in May 2024.

“The Day of the Duo” (2014) is a duo recording with renowned Scottish guitarist Nigel Clark and "Two Heads are Better Than One", (2016) is a duo recording with vocalist Honor Heffernan.

He has interacted/performed with artists from other disciplines, working with visual artists the late Gerald Davis and Spanish painter Juan O’Perez. He has also interacted in a spoken word improv setting with author Roddy Doyle and poet/musician/journalist Eamon Carr.

As an educator he has taught on numerous jazz programs including the Sligo Jazz Project, the Global Music Foundation at Shanghai, China, the Cork Jazz Festival Edu Program and on the popular music course at BCFE. In 2013, Hugh launched his highly acclaimed book “The Guitar Chord Doctor”. His Youtube channel features tuition section with videos on various guitar related topics. The book deals with chord voicings and techniques for the contemporary guitarist.

In April 2021 Hugh was announced as artist-in-residence at the Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Alongside his saxophone playing cousins Richie and Michael, he was the subject of an hour-long TV documentary "The Living Bridge - A Family Affair" which featured original music by all three musicians.

He was the founder, organiser and host of the extremely successful and acclaimed monthly event “The Dublin Guitar Night”. The event showcased national and international guitar players across all genres.

Hugh was producer, arranger and guitarist on the 2008 platinum selling CD release by the legendary Irish folk artist Ronnie Drew, “The Last Session - A Fond Farewell” also featuring vocalists Damian Dempsey and Mary Coughlan among others.

He was coordinator of the “Guitar Gathering” at the Cork Jazz Festival 2014-2017.

Among the wide array of internationally acclaimed artists Hugh has performed with are: Sheryl Bailey, Jim Mullen, Peter Bernstein, Louis Stewart, David O’Rourke, John Stowell, Nigel Clark, Daniel Corzo, Phil Robson, Larry Coryell, Terry Smith, Ben Sher, Mino Lanzieri, Ricardo Bertuzzi and Mike Nielsen, Libor Smoldas, James Williams, Brad Mehldau, Frank Harrison, Brian Kelloch, Mike Carr, Scott Hamilton, Richie and Michael Buckley, Tim Ries Rolling Stones Project (w/Bernard Fowler and Michael Davis), Javon Jackson, Bobby Watson, Alan Barnes, Harry Allen, Spike Robinson, Ruben Gonzales, Joe Temperley, Bobby Wellins, Gilad Atzmon, Guy Barker, Jon Faddis, Bruce Adams, Anders Bercrantz, Bobby Shew, Dwayne Eubanks, Roy Williams, George Masso, Marshall Gilkes, Peter Appleyard, Tony Miceli, Georgie Fame, Cleveland Wattkiss, Stacey Kent, Christine Tobin, Sara Lazarus, Guillermo Rozenthuler, Van Morrison, Lisa Stansfield, Ronnie Drew, Peter Washington, Jeremy Brown, Wayne Bachelor, Javier Colina, Mark Hodgson, Dave Green, Marcus Varela, Adam Neely, John Wadham, Stephen Keogh, John Riley, Steve Brown, Darren Beckett, Phil Ware, RTE Concert Orchestra, Cello Ireland and Gerry Leonard. Also many wonderful Irish musicians, too many to mention here.

His latest project is the ‘Purple Dayz’ Organ Trio’, w/Scott Flanigan (organ) and Shane O’Donovan (drums) playing arrangements of popular songs from the 60’s and ‘70’s. Also ‘The International Guitar Trio’ w/Libor Smoldas (Czech Republic) and Nigel Clark (Scotland) Other recent activities include ‘The Hugh Buckley Group’, a vehicle for his original compositions, ‘Hugh Buckley Group with Cello Ireland’ a collaboration with string arrangements by the great arranger/pianist Fiachra Trench, a guitar duo with Scottish guitarist Nigel Clark, a guitar duo with Dave Whyte, solo guitar performances, spoken word/guitar improv with author Roddy Doyle.

In June 2020, Hugh started his YouTube channel which features performances, tuition videos and interviews.

Besides performing, Hugh regularly conducts guitar workshops and teaches privately. He holds a 1st class honours Master of Music degree from DIT Dublin.