After playing with such stellar Irish artists as Cooney and Begley, Sean Tyrell, Sean Smyth, Vinnie Kilduff, Mike McGoldrick, and Arcady, Kelly showcased his instrumental wizardry with a powerful debut album, Out of the Blue. The album, which features accompaniment by percussionist Jim Higgins of Altan and Sharon Shannon's guitarist Donogh Hennessy, has been critically acclaimed by the Irish music press. Irish Music Magazine claimed, "[Kelly's] hands have a sure and sensitive touch," while Hot Press wrote, "If Sharon Shannon pushed the outside of the envelope with her infectious zest for the accordion, then Kelly must surely be the one to put the airmail stamp on it." Rock 'N Reel hailed Kelly for his ability to "paint musical pictures with a deft touch and a sense of adventure."

A multi-winner of all-Ireland awards on piano accordion and piano, Kelly has been involved with several theatrical productions. In 1994, he toured with Galway's Druid Theater Company in their productions of At the Black Pig's Dyke and The Yellow Bittern. Three years later, he joined Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham and vocalist Susan McKeown for the New York company's Mamou Mines' four-week Los Angeles production of Peter and Wendy. ~ Craig Harris