The Jolly Beggars

The Jolly Beggars bring the rich tradition of Celtic folk music and storytelling to modern day audiences. Based out of Connecticut, their traditional songs and musical arrangements have exposed many to the joys of Celtic music. They tell traditional stories from Irish folklore and intersperse their musical arrangements with traditional reels and jigs. Characterized by their tight harmonies and use of guitars, mandolin, flute, tin whistles, tenor banjo, double bass, and more, The Jolly Beggars have quickly built a solid following and continue to spread their music around the east coast.

The band performs music that is largely Celtic in origin (Irish and Scottish), with some pieces coming from an extension of that music in other cultures.

Jeff DesRosier

Jeff grew up in Wethersfield, Connecticut, surrounded by Celtic music from his earliest memories. Born into a family with a rich musical background, he was encouraged and supported in his musical journey by his parents, sister, and grandparents. Jeff went on to earn degrees in Music Education and French Horn Performance from the Hartt School.

He is now a middle school band director in the Fairfield Public Schools, where he shares his love of music with the next generation of musicians. Outside the classroom, Jeff is an active member of the traditional music community—hosting the Playwright Irish Session most Sundays in Hamden, CT, or backing sessions throughout the Northeast.

David Uhl

David was born and raised in Huntington, New York, and currently lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. He holds a B.M. from the Hartt School of Music in Double Bass performance. He comes from a musical family, and was surrounded by music of all styles from an early age. He is a freelance bassist and teacher at many different schools and workshops throughout Connecticut. He plays a bass from Kolstein's in Baldwin, NY. David is thrilled to be playing with the Jolly Beggars

Christopher grew up in North Haven, CT and is currently living in Middletown. Christopher did not come from a family of musical geniuses but one that always nurtured his love for music. He began playing trumpet in 4th grade and continued to do so through college. Along the way, many instruments were picked up and loved much more than the trumpet, including the penny whistle. Christopher has two degrees from the Hartt School in Music Education is is currently teaching music in Wallingford Public Schools. Christopher plays Burke tin whistles. He is also the first Jolly Dad!

Chris Vece

Greg Wilfrid

Greg grew up in central Massachusetts and currently lives in Wethersfield, CT. He plays guitar, tenor banjo, and mandolin with The Jolly Beggars. He teaches General Music and Choir at Toffolon Elementary in Plainville, CT, is the Music Director at Bethany First Church (Bethany, CT), is the current President of the Eastern Division of the Organization of American Kodaly Educators, and presents workshops at Music Education workshops at the collegiate, state, regional, and national levels.

  • We started playing together while students at the Hartt School of Music. We’re all music teachers in the state of Connecticut.

  • We’d love to come play for your event! Feel free to use our Contact Us page or email us directly at thejollybeggars@gmail.com.

  • Come to a show and ask us in person! Chris likes a ton of black pepper on his!

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