Band Bios

Pierce was honored to be appointed the
Connecticut State Troubadour for 2007-2008

Currently Pierce plays a variety of music which showcase his versatility. He performs solo singing and playing original and Celtic folk, American pop and Jazz classics. He performs Irish and original Celtic folk with The Kerry Boys, traditional Jazz with The Funky Butt Jazz Band, vocal Jazz classics and originals with The Pierce Campbell Jazz Duo/Trio and pop rock classics with 60's Satisfaction. During the day, he entertains seniors at venues throughout CT. 

Pierce has been playing guitar and singing most of his life, receiving high praise for his dazzling guitar work, superb songwriting, and powerful vocals. His performances are versatile, humorous and engaging as he jumps from guitar instrumentals, to vocal ballads, to Irish sing-alongs, all of which take the listener down a road of unexpected twists and turns. Pierce is a full time musician and has released five solo CD’s. He plays over 250 shows a year throughout the Northeast at municipalities, libraries, festivals, Irish pubs, coffeehouses, senior centers and assisted living homes. 

Pierce started playing professionally at coffeehouses and local health food restaurants as he attended school in upstate New York, performing renditions of old ragtime and blues songs. While studying jazz and music theory, he listened to acoustic guitarists like Leo Kottke, James Taylor, Doc Watson and John Hurt, making finger-style guitar work one of his hallmarks early in his career. After cutting his teeth on acoustic music, Pierce branched out into electric music playing in numerous bands, including The Five Satins, who had a hit in 1959 with the song In the Still of the Night. During this time, he gained an even deeper appreciation for different styles of songwriting while performing with many legendary artists from the 50's and 60's in Oldie's revival shows at venues like Madison Square Garden, The Meadowlands, and The Spectrum.

Eventually Pierce came home to acoustic music and has been performing Irish and folk music full-time since 1993. He says, "My roots are in acoustic music. It is the music that feels the most natural for me to play and write." He has received such high praise from audiences because of his strong musicianship and diverse musical background, and that is why the New Haven Advocate says," For years now, he's been one of the area's preeminent folkies."

The Kerry Boys

The Kerry Boys are Mark James, originally from the county Kerry Ireland now a Cheshire, CT resident, and Pierce Campbell from Prospect, CT’s official State Troubadour 2007/08. These two dynamic and popular Connecticut Irish balladeers have been performing together for over 26 years, dazzling fans of all ages from Maine to New York. Their humorous, high-energy show will have you clapping and singing along in no time, engaging you from start to finish with their wide collection of traditional and original Irish/Celtic songs performed with pristine harmonies and expressive guitar and mandolin. For larger shows Tony Pasqualoni joins the group on the bass and Paul Neri joins on banjo.

'60s Satisfaction – psychedelic, bubblegum and Motown favorites

The name says it all. You’ll be satisfied hearing your favorite '60s tunes from all the great artists like The Beatles, The Stones, Credence, Sam Cooke, Steam, The Boxtops, Procol Harem, The Moody Blues, The Foundation, The Turtles, The Doors, The Animals, Cream, Roy Orbison, Wilson Pickett and many more! The '60s were the pinnacle of great songwriting, musicianship and recording. Relive the era we all loved with Pierce Campbell on guitar and vocals, Tony Pasqualoni on bass, Loren Evarts on piano and vocals and John Rispoli on drums. This hot band will have you on your feet singing and dancing from start to finish and leave you smiling at the end of the show! Tie dye attire optional!

The Pierce Campbell Jazz Duo/Trio/Quartet

The Pierce Campbell Jazz Group features Pierce Campbell on guitar and vocals, Tony Pasqualoni on acoustic bass and Loren Evarts on keyboards.  John Rispoli join on drums for larger venues. Performing jazz classics from artists like Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett along with more modern tunes from Stevie Wonder, Nora Jones, Bill Withers and even some originals, they have an energy and sound that engages all audiences. With excellent vocals and strong improvisation, you'll get the best jazz has to offer with this dynamic trio.