Bríd Dunne (Ireland)

Bríd is originally from Drogheda, County Louth where she teaches and composes. A highly regarded pianist, she is noted for her versatility and combination of genres in her playing.

She inherited a deep appreciation of Irish traditional music from her father and a love of classical and jazz from her mother, also a pianist. Bríd is classically trained, first at school and the academy in her home town, followed by studies at Cork School of Music and UCD (Dublin). After studying classical music in Cork, she began to experiment with different genres in her music, including salsa. However, her real love of salsa piano came about after meeting with fellow pianist Annie Gillespie in London. She introduced Bríd to the music of the great Rebeca Mauleón. Annie and Bríd exchanged styles, and this experience inspired her to put together “Mother’s Delight” and other Irish/Salsa tunes.

Since then, Bríd has visited Cuba to experience this wonderful music first hand, and played piano for Galway Salsa bands, Calle Latina and Cuba Libre, up to 2007. She has also played and recorded with other artists over the years. She loves the music and creative energy shared with this great group of individuals that is Baile An Salsa!