Fitz returns to Sanctuary for his beloved Annual Saint Paddy’s Day Celebration—an evening of Irish songs, stories, and spirited sing-alongs that has become a local tradition.

John Fitzsimmons, known to many simply as “Fitz,” is an award-winning folksinger, songwriter, poet, storyteller, and published author from Maynard. 

A beloved figure in the New England folk scene, Fitz has spent decades performing in pubs, listening rooms, and community spaces across the region. He is perhaps best known for his remarkable 45-year run of weekly performances at the historic Colonial Inn in Concord, a tradition that continues today. Closer to home, Fitz also holds court at Sanctuary on the first Wednesday of every month, where audiences gather for an evening of music, stories, and laughter.

Every Fitz performance is a lively and engaging experience—blending songs, storytelling, poetry, humor, and the kind of easy rapport that can hold a room spellbound.

His repertoire spans traditional folk songs, Celtic ballads, Irish sing-alongs, camp songs, modern classics, and thoughtfully crafted originals, all delivered with a deep, resonant baritone voice that bluesman Hatrack Gallagher once called “one in a million.”

Whether he’s leading a room full of voices in song or sharing a story between tunes, Fitz carries forward the timeless spirit of the folk tradition—music meant to be shared.

Press Praise

“A Master of Folk.” — The Boston Globe

“A masterful weaver of songs whose deep, resonant voice rivals the best of his genre.” — Spirit of Change Magazine

“The New England Laureate of Pub Music.” — Globe Magazine
https://www.johnfitz.com/