Jimmy O'Brien-Moran was born in Tramore, County Waterford. His interest in Irish music began with the music of Planxty and the piping of Liam O'Flynn, which led to an introduction to the music of Willie Clancy and Seamus Ennis. Recordings of these great pipers and others were promptly sought out and hungrily consumed.

An unusual encounter prompted an invitation to visit Tramore piper Donncha Ó Maidín who provided an inroad to the world of uilleann piping. Eventually he persuaded Matt Kiernan to make him a chanter and he fabricated a bag and bellows for himself. Following a period of dedicated daily practice and lessons at the Willie Clancy Summer School, he was invited to record on the PJ Curtis produced album ‘The Piper's Rock' which featured Gay McKeon, Davy Spillane, Eoin Ó Riabhaigh, Máire Ní Ghráda, Mick O'Brien and Robbie Hannan.

For this recording Seán Reid, of Ennis, kindly loaned him a Colgan chanter together with the Coyne body of his own pipes. Subsequently he gave him the full Colgan set (c.1820s) to restore and play. This was a highly important event in his piping life as he was able to focus and develop his style on this wonderful instrument. He recorded a solo album in 1996 entitled “Sean Reid's Favourite”. A stint with Sonny Condel and Scullion followed as well as an encounter with the saxophone.

Having spent several years in the 1980s working in the jewellery trade he went to Waterford Institute of Technology to do a B.A. in Music. Having completed the course, several years were spent lecturing in Irish music in W.I.T. before he enrolled at the University of Limerick to research the musical legacy of Paddy Conneely, the blind piper of Galway (c.1800-1851). His doctoral thesis was submitted early in 2006.