VENUES
Trinity is a professional high-energy duo who perform Celtic and
traditional folk music for small business such as restaurants and pubs, as well as weddings, private parties, schools, festivals. We also perform benefits for hospitals, senior centers, schools, and various charitable organizations. The band is based in Burlington, Vermont and travels all over New England.

WHO IS TRINITY?
Trinity's musicians blend the sounds of "strings and drums and pipes and tongues," as one line from the original "Under the Greenwood Tree" states it. For weddings, large venues, and various local shows (Burlington, Vermont area) the group is swelled by professional ensemble musicians (see bio's below). Typically, travel shows and smaller venue shows are performed by John Cronin and John Dodson, who are the core Trinity members writing and/or arranging all the music you will hear.

WHAT WILL YOU HEAR AT A TRINITY SHOW?
Original tunes and songs influenced by traditional Irish pub singers like the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Irish Rovers, or North American traditional folk singers like the Kingston Trio or Burl Ives with some pepper in his beard. You will also hear standard Irish Pub songs (with a few ballads tossed in when requested) with themes about British political oppression, the dream of America, poverty, famine and starvation, the sea, and plenty of upbeat songs about whiskey, beer, grog, porter, and all that blessed stuff! We do not take ourselves too seriously with every song of course. We also perform traditional jigs and reels in the Sliabh Luachra style. Usually, there are one or two guests who make appearances, and occasionally we are joined by young Irish dancers or various nuts and good willed hecklers. Of course we take requests, we also ask for them. HA!.

TRINITY BIOS
 

JOHN CRONIN (lead vocals, guitar, Irish whistle, Bodhran drum, bones) Born and raised in Vermont, and tuned to the state's progressive politics, John Cronin is Trinity's lead singer, whistler, percussionist, and songwriter. He has received awards for performing musical theater on stage and has acted for several community theater companies, including the state's largest - Lyric Theater. As a folk musician and song writer, he has had the opportunity to perform in a number of projects, but his Trinity family has been the most productive platform to tell stories with music. He has written original material for festivals, churches, political and social events, weddings, charitable agencies and fund raising events. His natural ability to connect with audiences is a strong attribute, and adds much to the experience.

 

JOHN DODSON (Fiddle, Guitar,Tenor Banjo, Mandolin, Bouzouki, vocals) Born near Philadelphia, John Dodson moved to Vermont 5 years ago. He is an accomplished fiddler, but also plays every stringed instrument you can think of. His sense of harmony and musical wisdom are a signature sound for the band. John, works hard at his art so that it approaches perfection. He is a “thinking musician.” He comes from a diverse musical background, playing many different styles of music. He has played guitar with various groups throughout Pennsylvania and Vermot and has also enjoyed playing sessions in Ireland. Furthermore, he has 18 years of experience playing the violin in a variety of classical and Irish backgrounds. Most of what you hear on stage that is unique and expressive is the result of John’s great sense of harmony and style.

BIOS FOR ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND GUEST PERFORMERS
 

DAVE O'LEARY (acoustic guitar, vocals) Hailing from County Cork, IRE, Dave Francis O'Leary is a standard backup performer who has a dramatic sense of the music and is has a very strong tenor voice. His guitar creates rhythms that blend with the musical energy, making the sound exciting and generating spontanoues foot stomps and claps and an occasional Hoot! Dave has recently moved to the Burlington area. Dave is a very skilled drummer, and has a reputaion for being one of the best. Perhaps this is why his guitar has such an exciting, percussive sound.

 

		BOB DEGREE (mandolin, guitar, vocals) Lighting Bob Degree is another standard backup musician and former core member of Trinity. He is an absolutely explosive guitarist who is currently the band leader and founding member of "Bob Degree andthe Bluegrass Storm." Bob has recorded music with Trinity and some of their standard arrangements were created by him. Bob's strong vocals work well with the punch of his guitar and mandolin and he delights in making a crowd come alive. He is one of the highest energy string players anywhere in Vermont today. Hence, the well earned nickname. Bob's greatest strengths are his true love of every note played and his ability to perform two very distinct styles of music. He is the missing link in the evolution between Irish and Bluegrass music.

 

BILL CHAMBERS (whistles, recorder) Billy (Whiteshoes) Chambers performed in the military for many years as a euphonium player. He played for the US Army band as well as the US Marine band. Bill has performed for three standing presidents and has stories to tell. For some reason, Bill forgoes the standard whisky we all enjoy and drinks Irish Mist in moderation.Bill's shoes size is 12, and his signature white sneakers get raised to let the rest of us know we are coming to the end of a tune. Bill performs as a guest musician at many of our local shows. His greatest strength is his wife, Pat - who was born on St Patrick's Day.