Liz Carroll was born in Visitation Parish on the south side of Chicago on September 19, 1956. Her mother came from Ballyhahill, west Limerick, and father from near Tullamore, Co Offaly. Her grandfather on her mother’s side was a fiddler while her father, Kevin, played the accordion in the old push-and-draw or C#D style.
Liz started to learn violin at the age of nine. In the resurgent Irish music and dancing scene in the Chicago of the 1960s she would hear accordion player Joe Cooley, Kevin Keegan and Eleanor Neary at local sessions. Other early influences she cites as Martin Byrne, accordion, from Mayo, Joe Shannon, born in Mayo, and fiddler Johnny McGreevy, born in Chicago.
On her first attempt in the All-Ireland under 18s fiddle championships, in 1974, she came second to Frankie Gavin of De Danann. The following year she won the senior title at the age of 19. “I couldn’t believe anyone could be so good so young,” observed Mick Moloney.
Also in 1975 she won the All Ireland duet title with accordionist Jimmy Keane.
Another important influence in her development has been the dance classes she attended in south Chicago from age eight to 16. While her elders would enjoy the social occasion of the session, dance classes provided an opportunity for Liz to meet up with her peers. A regular core of musicians developed around the dance classes, including Liz and flute player Michael Flatley.
In 1977 with accordionist Tommy Maguire and pianist Jerry Wallace she recorded her first album, Kiss Me Kate. Then after several tours with the group The Green Fields of America, in 1979 she recorded her first solo album A Friend Indeed, accompanied by Marty Fahey on piano. As well as playing on the fiddle, Liz is a prolific writer of tunes. In all she reckons she has written 170 tunes, including slow airs, many of which have been recorded by a wide range of musicians.
Her next solo album, Liz Carroll, released in 1988, contained over a score of her own tunes. This album was named a select record of American folk music by the Library of Congress.
In a separate existence she records and tours with Daithi Sproule of Altan and box player Billy McComiskey in the group Trian (left).
She received a prestigious National Heritage Fellowship in 1994 and in 1999, reflecting the long Irish presence in the city and the esteem in which she is held, the Mayor of Chicago proclaimed September 18 Liz Carroll Day. Irish-American magazine named her one of the top 100 Irish Americans of 1995.
She is married to cabinetmaker Charles Lacey and they live in Chicago with their two children, Patrick and Alison. She also teaches fiddle playing.
Discography
In Play, Liz Carroll and John Doyle (2005) Compass Records
Lake Effect, Liz Carroll, 2002, Green Linnet
Lost in the Loop, Liz Carroll: 2000, Green Linnet
Liz Carroll, 1988, Green Linnet
A Friend Indeed, Liz Carroll, 1979, Shanachie
Kiss Me Kate, Liz Carroll and Tommy Maguire, 1978, Shanachie
With Trian
Trian, Trian,1992, Green Linnet
Trian II, Trian, 1995, Green Linnet
