The Stone Church Music Club is proud to present

The Brian O’Connell Fellowship

for an indoor socially distanced performance

. . . a testament to the concept that it only takes a trio to craft auditory brilliance. Landing somewhere between amazing and stellar, O’Connell and his mates consistently set the stage ablaze. Nothing compares to when guitarist McCann turns up the juice and lets the notes peel from his instrument like hot lava. Meanwhile, O’Connell serves genuine deep swamp funk on the low end while drummer Kaplan keeps everything sticky . . . Exceptional players, O’Connell and his mates are nothing short of outstanding. The deliciousness of their licks, beauty in their feel and overall power can hardly be overstated.” - Andy Kaufmann - Music Connection Magazine

The Brian O'Connell Fellowship was formed in 2018, originally as a vehicle for Brian's original compositions, songs, and bass playing. Guitarist and keyboardist Jim McCann has increasingly brought many of his drum and bass influenced tunes to the band and widened the bands horizons. A rocking mix of funky jams, prog-fusion, wacky humor, and pure unadulterated fun, with a side of intense improvisation, permeate every show. The Brian O'Connell Fellowship plays many original tunes from Brian's former band Uncle Sammy, as well as his puppet-theater rock opera Over the Line.  

Brian O'Connell is recognized for his engaging performance style and intense kinetic bass playing. In the BOCF he pulls out all the stops: crazy bass riffs, the unique 12-string touch guitar, unique compositions with storyteller lyrics, and overall total originality. He is widely known for his performances with Gordon Stone, Gary Backstrom, Dave Brunyak, The Steal Your Peach Band, and the popular jamband Uncle Sammy. Richard Gehr of The Village Voice said of the band, "Uncle Sammy is a startlingly nimble, energetic, and spontaneous young quartet apparently comfortable jamming in just about any style of music...They amazed me recently with inventive jam after genre-shifting jam". 

Brian's rock opera, Over The Line, a multimedia meditation on ideology, indoctrination, and self-realization was a theatrical rock show featured giant puppet actors and a 10-piece band. A review of the show appearing in The Noise Magazine had this to say: "...the music is quite rousing and satisfying - very intelligent, multi-dynamic prog-rock mixed with pop-folk - with tremendous musicians and singers adding brilliant coloration... It's a very ambitious project that almost achieves a transcendent quality."

Jim McCann plays guitar, keys, and sings. He is known for performing around New England with Leave It On Stage (LIOS), a live electronic dance-based house, electro, and disco power trio; as well as the Grey Area and Travel Info. In the BOCF he plays ripping guitar licks and far-reaching sonic explorations into the far regions of the dance floor.

Jason Kaplan plays drums and also lends his excellent studio and production chops in the studio. He plays with a dynamic style that is at times subtle and at times bombastic. Jason joined the fellowship in January 2019, bringing a whole new dimension to the band’s sound.