The school of music also had uilleann pipes under Leo Rowesome, one of Ireland's all-time, great pipers, teachers and pipe makers. He was influenced by other students particularly Peadar Broe. Al played a concert pitch D set of pipes that were made by Leo Rowesome, his primary instructor from the age of 11.

Al would eventually become renowned for his mastery of slow airs. Al's brother (also named Leo) recalls a story of Al's youth indicating it was may not have always been so. Al's dad would leave the room with his pipes, Al would pick up Leo's pipes and start to play furiously, provoking Leo Sr. to roar ..."Forget da fireworks...get back to da tune".

Al eventually emigrated to the US in 1957, where he served in the US Air Force in Korea, graduated from University of Michigan and settled in to life in the Detroit area.

Al worked at General Motors Tech Center as a wood model maker, a skill that would definitely come in handy. GM to this day retains the honor of having hosted the repair work on more sets of bagpipes than any other auto maker in the world, foreign or domestic. Al was active in Union affairs working as a representative of the UAW Skilled Trades and was well respected for his knowledge and sense of fairness.

He married Ann O'Brien (first generation, Co. Clare), and they had three girls, Patti, Maureen and Aline. His daughters were accomplished dancers and Al would frequently be called upon to be judge at the Feis. Al was very kind and encouraging to young kids in competition, but had no patience for fools of any age who played "Irish" music without the respect it deserved.

Al had a great passion for the pipes which could occasionally test the patience of the non-piping family members. Al had a great sense of humor and would refer to "the affliction" of piping as if it were an incurable disease.

Throughout the 70's Al taught the pipes and whistle out of his his subterranean headquarters which also housed his reedmaking workshop. Among his early students were Terence and Brendan McKinney, Scott Heinzman, Roy Livingston and many others in the Detroit Area. In those days Irish music was not popular and Al was part of the network of people you could count on. Pipers passing through the Midwest U.S. would make the Purcell household a stop for tutoring, or assistance with distressed instruments.

He was keenly interested in history, and when occasionally performing in public at local schools, he provided lessons in both history and the pipes.

Philosophically, Al believed that the pipes should take their place among the great music of the world and that they deserved better than a noisy pub. Al was a purist and really wasn't too keen on ensemble playing. He believed the pipes were best suited as a solo instrument and that airs were the highest form of music on the pipes, as piobaireacht is on the Highland pipes. Al excelled at playing airs, and was quick to inform pipers of a younger generation, many who grew up listening to slickly recorded supergroups at supersonic speeds, to slow down and learn the traditional airs.

Even so, he did occasionally play in groups and in public around town "for the craic", and did record with a group of musicians of who had emigrated from Belfast to Detroit in the 1970's called Pat's People. The group became close personal friends of the Purcell's and Al played on their second album "Some Say the Devil's Dead" where he can be heard playing the slow air "Lament for Owen Roe O'Neill".

Purcell was an early member of the Green Fields of America ensemble, led by Mick Moloney, and recorded two tracks for the 1983 Rounder album "Light Through the Leaves". Not surprisingly, those two tracks were slow airs, for which Al Purcell was especially well known, playing them with a haunting vibrancy where he can be heard to play the slow air "Tá Mé i'm colodh" (I am sleeping).

After his retirement from GM, with the family launched, Al was able to devote more of his time to teaching uilleann pipes and promoting traditional Irish music. Al led weekly piping classes at the Detroit CCÉ Branch which had a large following, Brian Clancy, Tom Donoghue, Brendan O'Leary, Tom Kennedy, Tim Miller, Sean Gavin, Colleen Shanks and Tyler Duncan among the regulars. Tyler won the All-Ireland piping championship in the 12-15 age group, winning the Leo Rowesome Memorial Cup in 1999 and 2000. Pat Cannady, Isaac Alderson who won the 2002 senior All-Ireland competition on pipes, flute and whistle, and many others who had traveled through the Midwest always found a warm welcome at the Purcell household.

Al was humble about his talents and achievements and believed it was never to late to learn. Al returned to university and receive another degree at age 60. He had been a part of the instructor staff Willie Clancy Week, the Sligo Summer School, North Hero Vermont Piping school and the Mississippi piping event as well as a valued judge at the Midwest Fleadh.

Al's sudden death in 2000 left family, his many friends and the larger world piping scene at a deep loss. His many students, family and friends and fellow pipers will fondly recall Al through the legacy of music, stories and many pleasant memories.

This award is appropriately bestowed on Al and accepted by his wife Anne, whose support enabled Al to do what he did for so many people. Al has been described as "the last of the generation of gentleman pipers".

                  - Terence McKinney

WDET Celtic Fest , 1979,
Photos: Cheryl Perkins

Éist leis seo anois / Listen to this:
	Dear Irish Boy
	Se Fath Mo Bhuartha (Cause of My Sorrow)

"Purcell became a linchpin in the Midwest for providing instruction and encouragement to younger musicians in the Irish tradition."
-Paul Keating, CCÉ Chair