Totally agree. I was at the NPU Tionól a couple of years ago with only my B set and wanted to take one of the classes. Emmett overheard me, and just hands over his K&Q concert-pitch chanter for the day so that I could participate! He had never seen or met me until that instant. I was blown away by his generosity.benhall.1 wrote:Silly of me, perhaps, to pick up on just one name. But Emmett Gill is a totally brilliant musician. Fantastically inclusive, interested in everything and everybody, huge generosity of spirit, and an absolute joy to play with. (Having said which, I've only played in sessions with him on three occasions.)
But if I had to pick up on another name from Mr. Gumby's list, I would have to say that Brian McNamara is about the most genuinely nice person I have ever met - brilliant piper, but humble, inclusive (willing to play with anyone even rank beginners), and a great teacher. More interested in people than in showboating or promoting himself. I once asked him about his all-Ireland title, and he just said "no one important entered that year".