Pat Chessell was born in Vancouver, British Columbia – not the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of Celtic folk musicians. His first public appearance was with his family friend, the late Danny Burns in Vancouver’s now defunct Culpepper’s Pub, a venue which became well known for hosting some of the best Celtic music in town.
Starting guitar at age 5, Pat was performing professional gigs by the age of 14. Over the years he has had the fortune to share the stage with some of British Columbia’s best known musicians. In 2005, Chessell put together a band which quickly became a staple of the local folk music scene. They were a featured act in the Irish Pavilion during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Known for his high energy performances, Chessell performed more than 200 times in 2011 alone, either as a solo act or with The Pat Chessell Band.
