About

With over 20 years experience in live performance, Sean Gallagher is a skilled pianist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his versatility across various genres, including traditional and modern jazz, Funk, New Orleans brass band music, and traditional Irish music. Sean embarked on his musical journey at the age of 19 touring Ireland as a keyboard player with Natty Wailer and the Reggae Blues Vibe. He honed his craft in the jazz jam circuit of the Hudson Valley under the mentorship of esteemed musicians such as Malcolm Cecil and Vinnie Martucci, after earning a BA in Jazz Studies and Piano Performance from SUNY New Paltz.

As the founding organist of The Forefathers, a 1970s-style funk and Bugaloo band, SeanG and the Downbeat, his Jazz ensemble, and O’Sullivan’s March his traditional Irish group and serving as an instrumentalist in various groups, Sean has performed at numerous venues and events. These include; Bard College’s Fisher Center and Carnegie Hall as a guest artist with Bard College’s TON Orchestra. Hudson Valley’s Club Helsinki, The Falcon Marlboro, The Bearsville Theater Woodstock, The Colony Woodstock. He has played significant local events such as The Chronogram’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, Sinterklaas Rhinebeck, and many others. For the past 17 years Sean has played weekly gigs at various restaurants and clubs throughout the Hudson Valley.

Sean is also a tireless music educator having spent the past 20 years teaching music at multiple schools such as Dutchess Community College, Ulster Community College, Kingston Catholic School, The Community Music Space in Red Hook NY and Astor Services for Children, Rhinebeck NY.  He currently teaches piano, brass, music theory, and leads ensembles at the Bard College Preparatory Program, Red Hook NY and from his home studio. Sean resides in Rhinebeck NY, with his wife Mary and their two children, Silvia and Sean (Lodie). He continues to share his love for music and its transformative power.