A frequent teacher and performer, he has taught and performed solo and with groups all over Ireland, the US, the UK, Europe, Newfoundland and New ZealandColm Gannon was born, in Dorchester, Boston, MA. of Connemara parents. His father John, from Droim and his mother Gerry from Tuirin, both moved to America in the 1950’s. He learned to play music from his father and brother Sean. From a young age he was exposed to a variety of great musicians. Around Boston, in his younger years, Colm was lucky enough to play regularly with Seamus Connolly, Tina Lech and Jesse Smith; it was around that time that Colm went on to win the all Ireland, in 1994, on the button accordion. Shortly after, he moved to Ennis, Co. Clare along with fiddler Jesse Smith, where he got to live and play with many great musicians there.

He went on to join Riverdance with whom he toured for five years. He has also toured with renowned Sligo based band Dervish, and the legendary band DeDannan.

Some recordings include: “The Ewe with The Crooked Horn”, recorded with Jesse Smith and John Blake; two solo recordings, “Return to Droim”, and “The Rights of Man”, with some very special guests featuring, including: Alec Finn and Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh, a duet album, with his father John Gannon titled “Trasna Na dTonnta”, (On this recording, Colm’s aunt, Maureen Creighan is featured singing two beautiful Gaelic songs), Colm sourced these tracks, with the help of Mick Moloney, from archival material stored deep in the Bobst Library @ NYU, the duet is accompanied by John Blake. He has also appeared as a guest musician on many albums and worked with artists like: singer, John Beag O’Flaharta, Harry Bradley, Mick Conneely, Seomsamh O’Neachtain, Martin Meehan as well as many others.

In 2012 Colm was awarded with a 1st class Masters degree in Traditional Music Performance at the University of Limerick.