Author Archive

In the course of their musical partnership, David Friedman and Peter Weniger have developed a kind of intuitive and interactive sense and a love for spontaneous music making. As a result they decided to go into the studio without any preparation or pre-conceived concepts. They used compositions drawn from the great american songbook as a kind of loose framework and turned these pieces into “on the spot”, intimate musical landscapes.

The results of this informal recording turned out to be so compelling, that they decided to release this material as a CD, entitled “Rétro”.

The press response has been nothing short of astounding. “Music of incredible depth and beauty”, said “Jazz Podium. “The best jazz release of 2010!” praised “Jazz Thing”. Rétro has already been nominated for a German Grammy.

Live, this duo is nothing short of spellbinding. Their combined sound has an orchestral quality, way beyond the seeming reality of only two musicians playing together. Their highest priority is, simply, the moment.

Born in Dublin, vocalist Bob Whelan has been in various musical groups since the age of 15. In the 80’s he formed a group called Jazzology which played a number of residencies in Dublin, and also appeared several times at the Cork Jazz Festival. Bob has worked with all the major names on the Irish jazz scene: Louis Stewart, Jim Doherty, Michael Neilsen, Richie Buckley, John Wadham, Noel Kelehan, Myles Drennan, Dave Fleming to name but a few. In 1986 he featured in a tribute to Duke Ellington alongside American stars Pepper Adams, Bobby Shew, Sonny Fortune and a 50 piece orchestra which was broadcast live from the National Concert Hall. Bob has also performed a number of times in the green room in the N.C.H. including a concert featuring the music of Thelonious Monk with lyrics added, many of them written by Whelan himself.

Bob Whelan has broadcast on RTE Radio, East Coast radio and Anna Livia FM, and has appeared twice on RTE’s Late Late Show. Outside this country, he has performed in Portugal, France and England. He is currently working with guitarist Hugh Buckley and bassist Martin Curry and performing regularly around Dublin. In 2001 he sang with U.K. bassist Peter Ind and the Louis Stewart trio at the Davis Gallery jazz week in Dublin. Bob Whelan’s repertoire includes the standards from the great American songbook, the music of Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, the jazz classics of Monk, Parker et al, plus an increasing number of original songs.

At 70 yrs young Bob still performs regularly in Dublin and we are delighted at Limerick Jazz to welcome him to perform with the Limerick Jazz Quartet.

Pete Robbins moved to New York in September, 2002, and immediately became “a welcome presence on the creative music scene.” He has since performed and/or recorded with Vijay Iyer, John Hollenbeck, John Zorn, Craig Taborn, Mario Pavone, Tyshawn Sorey, Ben Monder, Dan Weiss, Thomas Morgan, Melvin Sparks, and Kenny Wollesen, and has performed at festivals and clubs in the US and throughout Europe. Robbins’s releases “Waits and Measures” (2006, Playscape), “Do The Hate Laugh Shimmy” (2008, Fresh Sound/New Talent), and “siLENT Z - live” (2010, Hate Laugh Music) were all named as top-10 jazz releases by international media outlets.

Pete’s quartet comprises guitarist Mikkel Ploug from Denmark and Ireland’s Simon Jermyn and Sean Carpio on bass and drums. More Information…

Jazz singer Emilie Conway launches her debut album “The Secret of a Rose” with an evening of music to celebrate spring as a season of hope, change and new love with jazz standards You Must Believe in Spring, Joy Spring, Aguas de Marco, It Might As Well Be Spring,, But Beautiful, So In Love and many more..

Emilie: “The repertoire for this concert and album developed out of my personal response to the climate of negativity in our country over the past few years. Life has taught me that there is always hope and there is beauty, that this is a beautiful life we have here - where there are dark shadows, there is also light. For me, these songs are about affirmation and acceptance. Well just as it says in You Must Believe in Spring

“Beneath the deepest snows, the secret of a rose, Is merely that it knows, you must believe in spring!”

The evening features the talents of Emilie’s in-demand support musicians: Cian Boylan (piano), Dave Fleming (double bass) and Dominic Mullan (drums) who are among Ireland’s leading musicians, sought after north and south. The Emilie Conway Quartet has been working together for the past six years so that there is a very close musical understanding. More Information…

Song traditions of different complexions come under the scrutiny of five exceptional musicians in this concert that features duo and trio performance with a memorable quintet finale.

Certainly England’s and arguably Europe’s finest jazz singer, Norma Winstone has saved the very best work of a four-decade career until now. Recent recordings for ECM have drawn forth something special and here she reunites with guitarist Tommy Halferty, a perfect foil for her lissome voice and forthright delivery. It’s a style all the more affecting for its absence of histrionics and melodrama, attesting to the power of time, experience and musical refinement.The pair worked together successfully in the early 1990’s, but the occasions when they have shared a stage since then have been rare - but much talked of events in jazz circles. Norma Winstone was born in London and first attracted attention in the late sixties when she shared the bill at Ronnie Scott’s club with Roland Kirk. In 1971 she was voted top singer in the Melody Maker Jazz Poll, and over the years she has played and recorded with many of the great jazz legends. Norma Winstone continues to be at the forefront of British jazz - being nominated again in the 2007 BBC Jazz Awards for best vocalist, as well as being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in the same year.

Tommy Halferty is from Derry, and one of that city’s proudest musical exports. Since the late 70s, he’s been an irrepressible voice, always lyrical and animated, and a generous mentor to a new generation of guitarists.

With a brace of cds together, drummer Kevin Brady here reconvenes his acclaimed trio with Dublin bassist David Redmond and Michigan pianist Bill Carrothers. One of the most lyrical and individual voices in jazz today, Carrothers is a pianist who stands apart from the crowd, and his impressive back catalogue includes the elegiac Armistice and Civil War Diaries, CDs that stand as powerful statements on the human dimension in all conflicts. Distilled over many nights as rhythm section of choice for Dublin’s leading pianists, Brady and Redmond play with all the nuance and dynamics that the idiom demands, alive to the invention and sophistication of one of the finest pianists in the US today.

Dr Louis Stewart, the recipient of an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin, began his international career in 1968 when he was awarded the special jury prize at The Montreaux International Jazz Festival. Shortly thereafter he began working with Benny Goodman, an association that lasted three years, and gave way to an extended and prominent period with the late, great, English saxophonist/flautist Tubby Hayes.

As a member of Ronnie Scott’s quartet and quintet for several years, Louis began recording as leader in the mid-’70s, making albums with Sam Jones and Billy Higgins, with Peter Ind, and later, with Red Mitchell, saxophonist Spike Robinson, pianist Bill Charlap, and now, more recently again, a new CD, recorded in Venice with alto great Peter King (”Angel Eyes”).

On the occasion of his very welcome return to Limerick Louis is supported by Len McCarthy on saxophone, Peter Hanagan on bass and John Daly on drums. More Information…

Limerick Jazz Society is kicking off the celebration of its 30th anniversary with an exciting Spring Season. Our presentations are:

• February 22 Louis Stewart Quartet
• March 8 Norma Winstone and Tommy Halferty / Kevin Brady Trio featuring Bill Carrothers
• March 21 Emilie Conway
• April 4 Pete Robbins Quartet
• April 25 Bob Whelan with Limerick Jazz Quartet
• May 2 Duo Elegance (David Friedman and Peter Weniger)
• May 9 Limerick Jazz Workshop

Joe O’Callaghan

Joe is mainly self-taught, although he has attended various classes over the years with Tommy Halferty and Ronan Guilfoyle. Joe has played with most leading Irish jazz musicians including Tommy Halferty, Louis Stewart, Ronan Guilfoyle, Richie Buckley, Michael Buckley and Justin Carroll.

He has also played with international musicians such as Julian Arguelles, Vincent Courtois, Dave Liebman, Tom Rainey, Martin Speake, Tanya Kalmanovitch, Paul Williamson, Nils Wogram and Dominique Pifalry. Joe is currently a member of the groups Metier, Fuzzy Logic Ensemble and Microclimate.

John Daly

John studied at Berklee College of Music Boston in 1979. He teaches and plays drums professionally in Limerick as well as touring when the need arises. He also studies vibes with Tony Miceli from Philadelphia.

John is chair of Limerick Jazz Society and a long-standing member of the society’s House Trio. The trio provides backing for leading Irish and international artists visiting Limerick. These have recently included Hugh Buckley, Michael Buckley, Myles Drennan, Linley Hamilton, Derek O’Connor, Guy Barker and Tony Miceli.

Steve Hanks

Steve is originally from Yorkshire and studied at Leeds College of Music. His main instruments are saxophone, flute and percussion.He moved to Ireland to further his interest in Irish traditional music and is based in Co. Galway. His recent jazz activities include leading the Steve Hanks Quintet which recorded for Lyric FM, and a spell as music director for the Black Magic Big Band.

Peter Hanagan

Bass player Peter Hanagan has over twenty five years experience with the ‘lowest form of music.’  He is an alumnus of the renowned UNT Jazz Studies program, and since 1999 has worked exclusively as a freelance bass guitar and double bass player, as well as a music educator.

Peter is a native of the American Southwest, but has made ….Ireland…. his home since 2001. He is a veteran of a myriad of diverse genres: East Texas blues to West African percussion music, ..Caribbean.. folk to Twentieth-century art music.

Dorota Konczewska

Dorota Konczewska is a Polish composer, jazz singer and multimedia artist living in Ireland. She comes from a background in visual arts and holds an MA in Music Technology from the University of Limerick. Her recent work includes video art, mixed media installations and cross-audiovisual genre projects. Dorota just finished recording her first jazz album with an international band in Perugia, Italy, called “Nina project” a tribute to Nina Simone. The album is expected to be presented in Ireland early next year. The ‘Nina Project’ first derived from a concert she did in Dolans last year for Limerick Jazz Society which packed the house.

Steve McFarlane

Guitar player Steve McFarlane was one of the first students to graduate from Newpark Music Centre’s jazz degree programme. He subsequently completed an H. Dip in Music Education at the University of Limerick.  He now works as music teacher at Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, Co. Limerick. He has played professionally in Ireland in a number of musical settings ranging from jazz to popular music, and has taught at both senior and junior LJW sessions.

VIDEOS

Jazz education has been going for over 40 years and it works.  I’ve uploaded some very useful videos to the LJW myspace page that show the well-known jazz teacher JB Dyas of the Thelonious Monk Institute giving a seminar on Teaching Jazz Fundamentals To High School And College Musicians.  There are 10 videos which take around 90 minutes to view in their entirety and some include a supervised performance by a group of students:

1.  Jazz History
2.  Syncopation

3.  Jazz Instruments and Sounds

4.  Improvisation

5.  Rhythm
6.  Form

7.  Song Structure
8.  Tune Learning - The Definitive Version

9.  Getting Inside the Head
10.Improvising Based On the Head

I found the videos at www.artistshousemusic.org. This is a great site that also has videos of masterclasses by Kenny Werner (pianist and author of Effortless Mastery), Benny Golson (saxophone), Hank Jones (piano), Jesse McBride (piano), Larry Baione (guitar), Kirk Whalum (saxophone) and Jimmy and Percy Heath (saxophone, bass).

SOFTWARE

It can be a bit confusing working out what software can best support jazz education, so here are some personal views based on experience.

You will need a recording program or Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and this costs nothing.  If you have a Mac you will have Garage Band for free.  If you have a PC you can download Audacity at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/.  There are obviously much sexier products for both machines but these are not really necessary for practicing.  Using either of these programs you can record yourself playing along with either a backing track from the likes of a Jamey Aebersold CD, or you can use an original version if you feel like it.  There’s nothing like hearing yourself as you really sound although it can be a bit of a shock at first!

Next up is transcribing.  Transcribing is the academic term for copying material from records, and it’s relevant whether you want to be John Coltrane or Keith Richards.  The Amazing Slowdowner from http://www.ronimusic.com/ costs about $50 plus VAT and allows you to change the pitch and/or tempo of an audio file with very little loss of sound quality, and to loop particular sections.  This will make trancsribing solos as painless as is realistically possible, and transcribing is a vital tool in ear training and the development of jazz vocabulary.  There is an alternative program called Transcribe! which is also very popular and a bit cheaper can be found at http://www.seventhstring.com/.  A sign of the times is that a new iPhone app called Robick has just come out, offering the same functionality for €2.99!  I’ve just bought it and it seems to work fine, although I haven’t mastered looping yet.

In previous versions of this post I didn’t discuss notation software, because the products (Finale, Sibelius) were expensive and there was similar functionality in Band In A Box (see below).  However, there is a new free product called MuseScore at http://musescore.org/ which seems to be worth checking out.  I’ve just started using it; the good news is that entering notes is very intuitive and easy, but I’m still not sure how it works for transposing lead sheets - if this can be done it’s a great option.  If you are still wondering why you might want to use notation software as A you don’t write music and/or B you are not a singer who needs to produce tailored parts in concert and other pitches, it is very useful as part of transcription.  This is because if you enter the solo you are working on into the program instead of writing it down on paper the program will play it back, which can really help resolve any worries about whether you have got the transcription correct.

Last but not least is Band In A Box from http://www.pgmusic.com/, which costs $129 for the basic version.  BIAB allows you to create your own backing tracks very easily, and to record yourself playing along with them.  If you don’t like the idea of all that inputting you can download a huge number of well known tunes in BIAB file format for free at http://phillipsmusic.net/realbook.htm.  You can change key and tempo with a mouse click.  BIAB is particularly handy for singers who need to produce charts in a key that suits them if it’s not the regular key for instrumental versions.  Once again there is an iPhone app worth considering as an alternative called iRealB (details at http://irealb.com/).  It does not have nearly as many features as BIAB (see below) but it does the basic accompanying function and has hundreds of songs and costs only €15.99.

As well as backing tracks BIAB has some other very useful features such as ear training drills and a function that can supposedly work out the chords of a song from an audio file (only tried it once and wasn’t too impressed, but that’ll be some cheat when it eventually works!).  Just one warning - if you have a choice of BIAB for Mac or Windows the Mac version has significantly FEWER features although PG Music say this will be rectified fairly soon.

So there you are.  Really meaningful support for your jazz studies for less than euro 140!

BOOKS

This could obviously be a very long section so I’ll limit its scope to books of a general nature plus one piano book, seeing as how we’re all meant to play a bit of piano.  I can vouch for all of these from experience and they are all recommended by some of the educators I’ve studied with.  I’ve put links to Amazon below the titles so you can find out more but you might want to use Ireland’s own http://www.paulryanmusic.com/ if you buy.

Improvisation

How To Improvise and Ready, Aim, Improvise by Hal Crook.
http://www.amazon.com/How-Improvise-Hal-Crook/dp/B000M1ADP4/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Theory

The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine
http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/1883217040/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Mental Approach (this matters!)

Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner
http://www.amazon.com/Effortless-Mastery-Liberating-Master-Musician/dp/156224003X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Free Play by Stephen Nachmanovitch
http://www.amazon.com/Free-Play-Improvisation-Life-Art/dp/0874776317/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Piano

Jazz Piano From Scratch by Charles Beale
http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Piano-Scratch-How-Students/dp/0634033115/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243554220&sr=1-10
This author wanted to fill a gap in the market for beginner jazz pianists and did it.  It’s also the course book for the ABRSM jazz piano exams.

WEBSITES

http://www.jazzimprov.com/ is the website of the magazine of the same name and the article archive is really worth a look.

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/ will shortly hit 8,000 articles in its archive and is a more general jazz website.

http://www.jazzinamerica.org is designed as a resource for seconadary school education and is run by JB Dyas (see Jazz Education Videos blog).

http://www.aebersold.com is the site for the doyen of jazz play-along recordings and has a reasonable amount of free material

GRADED JAZZ EXAMS

ABRSM provides Grade 1 to 5 examinations in jazz piano and most wind and brass instruments.  They also provide ensemble examinations at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

London College of Music provides Grade 1 to 8 examinations in jazz piano and most wind and brass instruments.  They also provide Grade 1 to 8 examinations in electric guitar, bass and drums – these are not specifically jazz exams but cover a lot of relevant subjects such as harmony and improvisation.

LJW is happy to put interested students in contact with teachers who can prepare them for these examinations.

JAZZ DEGREES

There is full jazz performance degree course at Newpark Music Centre in Blackrock, Dublin (www.newparkmusic.com), and numerous similar courses in the UK and elsewhere.

www.jazzservices.org.uk provides a useful course search facility.

If you are interested, get in touch at limerickimprov@gmail.com or 086 602 5661.  At the start of each semester we have an assessment night where potential students give a quick performance and discuss their musical experience with one of the teachers.  Our students come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds (rock, classical and trad) and previous jazz experience is not required.

The ensemble-based teaching environment is not suited to teaching people the basics of their instruments and is not for complete beginners.  However please come to an assessment night whatever your level of experience as we can point you in the right direction for individual tuition.  Our teachers also provide short group courses in Jazz Theory on a regular basis, which have been useful for both current and possible future students.

If the whole idea of this kind of experience sounds a bit intimidating it can be helpful to attend a rehearsal session as a visitor.  Our ensembles use the stage, foyer and communal dressing rooms at LIT and the environment is informal and relaxed - just let us know you’d like to attend.

Participation costs €20 per session (€10 for full time students and other concessions).  Payment is by installments of €100/€50, in advance.

It’s that time of year again…

Limerick Jazz Workshop will be kicking off the festive season at the Shannon Rowing Club on Sarsfield Bridge on Thursday 8th December at 8 pm.  There will be six ensembles performing in all including juniors and beginners.  Party atmosphere and good music guaranteed!  Entry is €5 so it’s a recession-buster too.

Nigel Mooney is widely regarded as Ireland’s leading jazz singer and guitarist. A charismatic figure on the Dublin jazz and blues scenes since the early 1980’s, his Gripewater Blues Band spearheaded the blues movement in Ireland and drew many fans of both jazz and the blues.

A self-taught musician, Mooney was influenced by the blues from an early age and his hard-bop style of guitar playing is expressive and melodic with a bluesy groove. He possesses a warm and rich tenor voice and has an almost flawless sense of pitch. Nigel Mooney currently lives in Wicklow, Ireland, and continues to perform in Ireland and greater Europe. His current quartet features Johnny Taylor on piano, Dan Bodwell on bass and Dominic Mullan on drums.

With his unique style and virtuoso technique, Richie Buckley, a self-taught saxophone player, is internationally recognised as one of Ireland’s leading jazz performers. He has been described as “extraordinary” (Irish Times, 2001), “something of a genius…[with] a world reputation amongst saxophonists” (Irish Times, 1999) and a musician whose “playing manages to be simultaneously passionate and gentle, romantic and elegiac.” (Sunday Independent, 2001)

Musicians with whom he has collaborated include Van Morrison, Freddie Hubbard, Dave McKenna, Harry Allen, Lew Soloff, Guy Barker, Jiggs Wigham, Bob Dylan, Georgie Fame, Jon Hendricks, Carlos Santana, Barry Manilow, and Elvis Costello. Recording credits include Van Morrison, James Williams, Barry Manilow, Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Elmer Bernstein. More Information…

This two-horns-no-chords quartet was established by drummer Matt Jacobson in 2007 as a creative outlet for his compositions as well as his somewhat perverse fascination with anagrams. While he failed to find such avid fellow followers of wordplays, he did find and enlist the help of creative and rhythmic specialists Derek Whyte (bass) and Nick Roth (alto sax), with trombonist Colm O’Hara arriving a little later.

The band play all original compositions from Jacobson (”one of Ireland’s most exciting young talents” - the Irish Times) with influences including artists such as Charles Mingus, Steve Coleman, Deerhoof and Phil Ivey. The formula for putting all this together in one palindromical setting is downtown grooves with catchy melodies and collective improvs.

After a stop-start two years while Matt was studying for his MA in Music Performance in Lucerne, Switzerland, followed by a 6-week journey to South India to study the region’s traditional Carnatic music, ReDiviDeR are now hitting the ground running. Recent performance highlights include supporting Chris Potter’s Underground (”…easily the most compelling saxaphonist of his generation” - Detroit Press) at the Galway Jazz Festival 2010 and representing Ireland at the 12 Points! Festival 2011 (”…a fine, fly set with a solid sense of style and direction” - Laurence Mackin, The Irish Times).

The band also recently recorded their debut album “Never oDD or eveN” and an Irish release tour is being planned for November 2011 so watch out for the band at a town near you soon!

ReDiViDeR will be supported by vocalist/composer Dorota Konczewska, a well known performer on the Limerick jazz scene now based in Dublin.  Dorota will be accompanied by Joe O’Callaghan on guitar and John Daly on percussion.

Palooka is not primarily a jazz group; its music is influenced by funk/pop song structures with an improvisational element. The band features superb young improvising musicians from Australia, Britain. Norway and Ireland and its horn section has toured extensively with Phil Collins, Kylie Minogue and Kyle Eastwood. The band leader, Kevin Brady, is one of Ireland’s top drummers and an innovative jazz producer and organist Justin Carroll has toured with Van Morrison and others.

Palooka’s music has been described as: “A fresh and grooving take on improvisation by some of Europe’s young leading jazz musicians” Jazzwise UK magazine. 

LINE UP: Justin Carroll (Hammond organ), Graeme Blevins (tenor sax), Graeme Flowers (trumpet), Bjorn Vidar Solli (guitar) and Kevin Brady (drums) More Information…

An evening of uplifting tunes by WoWos, a six piece international band of young musicians performing original instrumental jazz by Seán Carpio. WoWos features Seán and his musical friends from faraway places and by mixing personalities and nationalities he generates a sense of energy and creativity and his work is often described as melodic post rock. Featuring new music composed especially for the band the group is full of great players – all active on the busy New York jazz scene – with the stunning saxist Bill McHenry one of the standouts.
Watch out for Seán Carpio too, “He may be the finest drummer ever produced here.” – The Irish Times.

“Brilliant…Herzog is a tremendous guitar talent with a developing voice sure to garner widespread recognition” All About Jazz

“a thrilling, vigorous, robust tenor sax player” Irish Times

Presented with funding from the Music Network Performance and Touring Award

Alex Mathias (tenor saxophone)

Jake Herzog (guitar)

Damian Evans (bass)

Dominic Mullan (drums)

Award-winning saxophonist and composer Alex Mathias joins forces with critically acclaimed US guitarist Jake Hertzog, to present a blend of highly energetic original music, drawing on jazz, funk/fusion and other influences. Having met at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, from which they graduated in 2006, they have both gone on to form successful careers in their homelands and beyond. More Information…

“Liebman is arguably the reigning king of the soprano, as well as one of the most complete improvisers in modern music.”- Chicago Tribune

Soprano saxophonist David Liebman, whose distinguished career includes extended periods with Miles Davis and Elvin Jones plus his own important groups like Quest and Lookout Farm, has taken the most active interest in Ireland, and four years since his last memorable visit, he’s back in the performer, mentor and educator capacities in which he excels.

With his darkly intense tone, sinuous lines and masterful control of volatile chromaticism, Liebman has a unique musical vocabulary that is emotive, powerful and direct. He’s also one of the most generous spirits and forthright thinkers in jazz today, an inspirational teacher and a seminal link to the artists, like Miles, who still cast a long shadow in creative music.

On this tour Liebman is reunited with Ronan Guilfoyle, the Irish bassist with whom he enjoys a special rapport that stretches back two decades. It’s the sort of company that requires a drummer who swings mightily, with an old school commitment to fast terrain and long form blowing. Step up Jussi Lehtonen, mainstay of celebrated Finnish groovers like the Timo Lassy Band, and one of the most propulsive drummers this side of the Arctic Circle.

There will be a masterclass for the members of Limerick Jazz Workshop at 6.30pm which will be open to the public. Entrance to the masterclass is €10 (concert and masterclass €15 combined). More Information…

Limerick Jazz Quartet has come together to perform the music of John Coltrane. It promises to be a memorable night featuring the talents of four of the most experienced musicians on the Irish jazz scene.

Joe O’Callaghan (guitar) has played with a many of the top musicians in the jazz scene in Ireland and abroad and is also a founding member of the band Firm Routes. Steve Hanks (reeds and percussion) was one of the leading members of the Black Magic Big Band in Galway for many years and has musical interests extending to folk musics from around the world. Multi-instrumentalist Bryan Meehan (keyboards) is well known to Limerick audiences for his varied talents, which encompass numerous assignments as music director and as leader of his own big band. John Daly (drums) has played in many different musical situations and is also a founding member of Firm Routes. He is a well know teacher in the City and is the current Chairperson of Limerick Jazz Society.

The members of the Limerick Jazz Quartet have a lot of experience as composers and arrangers, and are also teach with Limerick Jazz Workshop, which runs from Sept to May each year at the Learning Hub Limerick.

The influence Coltrane has had on music spans many different genres and musicians. Coltrane’s massive influence on jazz, both mainstream and avant-garde, began during his lifetime and continued to grow after his death. He is one of the most dominant influences on post-1960 jazz saxophonists and has inspired an entire generation of jazz musicians. In 1965, he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame. In 1972, A Love Supreme was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over half a million copies in Japan. This album, as well as My Favorite Things, was certified gold in the United States in 2001. In 1982

Coltrane was awarded a posthumous Grammy for “Best Jazz Solo Performance” on the album Bye Bye Blackbird, and in 1997, was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

“an extravagantly talented group” - Sunday Tribune

“Consistent brilliance” - Irish Times

Justin Carroll’s group Togetherness return to Dolan’s as part of their mini tour in Ireland and Germany. Since moving to NYC, Justin has been working with many local musicians such as Loren Stillman and Ed Rosenberg and performing at venues in Greenwich Village and Brooklyn. Also residing in NYC but originally from Dublin, bassist Simon Jermyn has been busy performing and setting up his own projects with musicians such as Tom Rainey, Ingrid Laubrock and Matt Maneri. Dublin born and based drummer Sean Carpio has recently has been composing for his own project and touring in the UK and France. Togetherness released their self titled debut album in 2009 to critical acclaim and since then have performed at many international festivals including 12 Points! Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, Bray Jazz Festival, Berlin Young Generation Jazz Festival, Hamburg Jazz Festival and Lander Festival Stuttgart. The personnel of Togetherness is Graeme Blevins on tenor saxophone, Justin Carroll on piano, Simon Jermyn on electric bass, Sean Carpio on drums. More Information…

It’s that time of year again, like seeing the first falling leaf of autumn.  Limerick Jazz Workshop will be starting its fifth year in a few weeks time and we are seeking participants for our adult workshops (regular ensembles, singers and beginners) and our junior workshop.

As before our adult workshops will be on Tuesday evenings at the Limerick Learning Hub’s dedicated music facility in Kileely. The beginners’ group will be from 6-7pm and others from 7-9pm.  The junior workshop will be on Saturdays from 12-2pm.  Location will either be at Peter Dee’s Academy on O’Connell Avenue or Kileely if we need the extra space in the LLH Music Hub.

Here are the dates for Autumn semester (all adult dates Tuesdays unless otherwise stated, Saturdays for juniors).  Mid-term break is w/c Oct 31 so there will be no activity that week.

Adults

September 20, 27

October 4, 11, 18, 25 (performance)

November 8, 15, 22, 29

December 6, 8 (Thursday performance)

Juniors

September 24

October 1, 8, 15, 22

November 12, 19, 26

December 3, 8 (Thursday performance)

As usual cost will be €20 per session (concessions, beginners and juniors €10), so total cost will be €240 (€120) for regular ensembles and singers, €120 for beginners and €90 for juniors.

As usual we try to keep things fresh so we have our first master-class for all students on Friday October 7, when David Liebman will do a class before his gig at Dolans.  David Liebman is recognized as an outstanding musician and educator, and played extensively with Miles Davis in his early career.  We’ll be in touch soon with details of the full programme for Limerick Jazz Society’s Autumn season.

Both existing and prospective participants might like to check out our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/limerickimprov?feature=mhee where they will find videos of our two end of term gigs from 2010-2011 plus some outstanding educational material.  You can also find out a lot more at the workshop section at www.limerickjazz.com including contact details.

Dates are as follows:

Sept 14       Togetherness featuring Justin Carroll on piano, Graeme Blevins (AUS) on saxophone, Simon Jermyn on electric bass and Sean Carpio on drums

Sept 28       Limerick Jazz Quartet plays the music of John Coltrane featuring Joe O’Callaghan on guitar, Bryan Meehan on keyboard, Steve Hanks on saxophone and, John Daly on drums

Oct 7          Liebman/Guilfoyle/Lehtonen featuring David Liebman (USA) on saxophone, Ronan Guilfoyle on acoustic bass guitar and Jossi Lehtonen (Fin) on drums  (Masterclass form 6.30 to 8pm with David Liebman - Adm €10 or €15 incl gig)

Oct 19        Alex Mathias Quartet featuring Alex Mathias on saxophone, Jake Hertzog (USA) on guitar, Damian Evans on bass and Dominic Mullen on drums

Nov 2         Palooka featuring Justin Carroll on keyboards, Graeme Blevins (AUS) on saxophone, Graeme Flowers on trumpet, Bjorn Vidar Solli (NOR) on guitar and Kevin Brady on drums

Nov 23       ReDiviDeR featuring Nick Roth on saxophone, Colm O Hara on trombone, Derek Whyte on bass and Matthew Jacobson on drums

Nov 30       Nigel Mooney’s Hip Operation feat Nigel Mooney on vocals and guitar, Johnny Taylor on piano, Dan Bodwell on bass and Dominic Mullen on drums

Dec7        Limerick Jazz Workshop Student Performance featuring all the students from our jazz improv classes.

Tony Miceli is returning to Limerick again this summer to do his annual vibes workshop (see news).  To round off the trip he will perform with his students at Dolans at 9pm on Sunday 24th July.

“Tony Miceli is a vibraphonist of astonishing virtuosity, musical resilience, and inventiveness.” – Vic Schermer, All About Jazz

Vibraphonist Tony Miceli, whose playing has been compared with the legendary Milt Jackson and Gary Burton, grew up in New Jersey, currently resides in Philadelphia, and has been working steadily on the jazz scene since 1980. As a group leader, sideman, and recording artist, he has performed with numerous top musicians including David Liebman, Jimmy Bruno, Ken Peplowski, John Blake, Diane Monroe, John Swana, Joe Magnarelli, Steve Slagle, Larry McKenna, and many others. In addition to his work with the group Monkadelphia, which he co-founded in 1990, Miceli is a member of the PhilOrch Jazz Ensemble (a quartet featuring members of the Philadelphia Orchestra) and the Adam Unsworth Ensemble. His recordings include a compilation CD, Looking East with the Philly 5; On a Sweet Note, with Gerald Veasley and the Electric Mingus Project; Band Shapes with French pianist Olivier Hutman; Monkadelphia; Crepuscule (featuring Monkadelphia); Music From the Inside Out, a companion CD for a documentary showcasing the Philadelphia Orchestra, and ……

In addition to his busy schedule of club dates, concert performances, and recordings, Miceli is a sought after master teacher. In addition to workshops in Amsterdam and other major cities, when at home base in Philadelphia, he conducts master classes at the renowned Curtis Institute of Music and gives private instruction in his home studio. He is a member of the Jazz Faculty at the University of the Arts and Temple University, and serves as a consultant to various music and arts organizations. Of his playing and musicianship, reviewers have praise: “Miceli’s vibes playing is nothing short of phenomenal, as he moves effortlessly from fiery virtuoso runs to gentle, pianissimo, legato improvisations on the ballads.” “Micel’s playing had a transcendent glow. He was no longer playing notes, but rather developing ideas that seemed to come from a source beyond himself.” “His runs were so rapid and well executed that it was as if he had a couple of rogue virtual mallets helping him out.” “Miceli’s solos were done with agility and subtlety, stunning the audience with their virtuosity.”

Miceli is a consummate versatile musician who is involved in diverse musical currents and projects. His CD Hippie Jazz with vocalist Meg Clifton recapitulated the rock music of the 1960s-70s in a jazz format. In a concert called “Mozart Reloaded” at the Kimmel Center, he played vibe improvisations behind singer Joanna Pascal’s rendition of a Mozart opera aria. With crossover violinist, Diane Monroe, he is now working on a project using jazz, folk, and classical influences.

Internationally known on the web, Miceli provides on line instruction, information, and video interactive classes. He is proprieter of Miceli Music, LLC., incorporating the website:www.studymusiconline.com, which currently offers 3 sections: www.vibesworkshop.com;www.trumpet.studymusiconline.com; andwww.worlddrum.studymusiconline.com. These sites include online communities for professional players and students, with lessons, performances, and other features.

Dublin City Jazz Orchestra Way Out West and Play Irish Again.

A tour featuring the Music of Nine Irish Jazz Composers

written for the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra.

Glor, Causeway Link, Ennis on 20th July 2011.

Last November in The Button Factory, Dublin in what was one of the jazz highlights of the year, the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra presented the world premiere of the music of nine Irish jazz composers.

The nine composers were Brian Byrne, Alex Mathias, John Moriarty, Fintan O’Neill, David O’Rourke, Karl Ronan and Ronan Dooney with Pamela Keeley, Nick Roth, Abigail Smith and Brian Wynne.

Three of these composers are based in America, Brian Byrne, Fintan O’Neill and Dave O’Rourke. Three of them are regular members of the orchestra, Alex Mathias, Karl Ronan and Nick Roth. John Moriarty and Brian Wynne have occasionally performed with the orchestra. Pamela Keeley, the lyricist for Karl Ronan and Abigail Smith have not written for a jazz orchestra before.

This tour is the result a successful grant application by Jazz on the Terrace in late 2010 to the Arts Council’s Music Projects Award for “The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra Way Out West and Play Irish Again”.

Allen Smith and Ciaran Wilde, the co-founder/leader of the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra discussed the possibility of Jazz on the Terrace commissioning Irish jazz composers to write original compositions for the Orchestra to add to its repertoire. A successful application for grant aid under the Arts Council’s Music Commissions Award for a Jazz on the Terrace commission for 2010 was made. The music was included in the Music Network Performance and Touring Award series of concerts including the world premiere.

One of the aims of Jazz on the Terrace since its inception has been to expose Irish musicians to new ventures in jazz music and this project affords an exceptional opportunity for Irish composers to create music for an Irish jazz orchestra.

The desire and the enthusiasm of Ciaran Wilde and Ray Martin in working so hard to bring this jazz orchestra together, to seek out arrangements of the classic jazz big band repertoire and then to ask some of the Irish arrangers in America to help them by sending what they could, deserved to have the added dimension of new work performed throughout the country and recorded. Jazz on the Terrace made a successful application to the Music Network Arts Council Music Recording Scheme 2010 to make a permanent archive of this music.

In 2010 the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra has performed at the dlr Festival of World Cultures, Kilkenny Arts Festival, The TBCT Culture Night and at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. The orchestra has in the last year appeared three times on the Late Late Show. In March of this year there was a most succeessful concert in the National Concert Hall.

The members of the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra are: Ciaran Wilde, Alex Mathias, Derek O’Connor, Nick Roth, Robert Geraghty – saxophones; Danny Healy, Ray Martin, Mark Adams, Eamon Nolan – trumpets; Jim Clarke, Karl Ronan, Barry McBrien, Paul Frost – trombones; Phil Ware – piano, Hugh Buckley – guitar, Cormac O’Brien – double bass, Shane O’Sullivan – drums; Stella Bass – vocalist.

ENDS

Further information from:

Allen Smith, Administrator, Jazz on the Terrace, 44 Belgrave Square West, Rathmines, Dublin 6, Ireland.

Tel: 01 4979562 .Fax: 01 4979562 Mob: 086 8278692

E-mail: jazzontheterrace@ireland.com

Website: http://www.jazzontheterrace.com/

As well as his vibes workshop Tony will be running a parallel general workshop each evening from 6.30pm to 9pm at a cost of €30 per session.  All-in cost will be €150 as there will be no charge for Sunday evening which will involve preparation for the gig at Dolans.  Contact John Daly at jonndal@gmail.com to apply.

Philadelphian Tony Miceli makes a welcome return to Limerick for two performances.  The first is at Bently’s on Saturday night and will feature the music of the Modern Jazz Quartet ably supported by some of Ireland’s finest musicians , and Dolan’s Upstairs on July 24th featuring all the students who took part in the week long workshop which is being held at the Peter Dee Academy of Music July 19th to 24th (see separate posts). Come and enjoy some great live jazz.

“Tony Miceli is a vibraphonist of astonishing virtuosity, musical resilience, and inventiveness.” – Vic Schermer, All About Jazz

Vibraphonist Tony Miceli, whose playing has been compared with the legendary Milt Jackson and Gary Burton, grew up in New Jersey, currently resides in Philadelphia, and has been working steadily on the jazz scene since 1980. As a group leader, sideman, and recording artist, he has performed with numerous top musicians including David Liebman, Jimmy Bruno, Ken Peplowski, John Blake, Diane Monroe, John Swana, Joe Magnarelli, Steve Slagle, Larry McKenna, and many others. In addition to his work with the group Monkadelphia, which he co-founded in 1990, Miceli is a member of the PhilOrch Jazz Ensemble (a quartet featuring members of the Philadelphia Orchestra) and the Adam Unsworth Ensemble. His recordings include a compilation CD, Looking East with the Philly 5; On a Sweet Note, with Gerald Veasley and the Electric Mingus Project; Band Shapes with French pianist Olivier Hutman; Monkadelphia; Crepuscule (featuring Monkadelphia); Music From the Inside Out, a companion CD for a documentary showcasing the Philadelphia Orchestra, and ……

In addition to his busy schedule of club dates, concert performances, and recordings, Miceli is a sought after master teacher. In addition to workshops in Amsterdam and other major cities, when at home base in Philadelphia, he conducts master classes at the renowned Curtis Institute of Music and gives private instruction in his home studio. He is a member of the Jazz Faculty at the University of the Arts and Temple University, and serves as a consultant to various music and arts organizations. Of his playing and musicianship, reviewers have praise: “Miceli’s vibes playing is nothing short of phenomenal, as he moves effortlessly from fiery virtuoso runs to gentle, pianissimo, legato improvisations on the ballads.” “Micel’s playing had a transcendent glow. He was no longer playing notes, but rather developing ideas that seemed to come from a source beyond himself.” “His runs were so rapid and well executed that it was as if he had a couple of rogue virtual mallets helping him out.” “Miceli’s solos were done with agility and subtlety, stunning the audience with their virtuosity.”

Miceli is a consummate versatile musician who is involved in diverse musical currents and projects. His CD Hippie Jazz with vocalist Meg Clifton recapitulated the rock music of the 1960s-70s in a jazz format. In a concert called “Mozart Reloaded” at the Kimmel Center, he played vibe improvisations behind singer Joanna Pascal’s rendition of a Mozart opera aria. With crossover violinist, Diane Monroe, he is now working on a project using jazz, folk, and classical influences.

Internationally known on the web, Miceli provides on line instruction, information, and video interactive classes. He is proprieter of Miceli Music, LLC., incorporating the website:www.studymusiconline.com, which currently offers 3 sections: www.vibesworkshop.com;www.trumpet.studymusiconline.com;andwww.worlddrum.studymusiconline.com. These sites include online communities for professional players and students, with lessons, performances, and other features.

Joe is an outstanding guitarist and educator. He is mainly self-taught, although he has attended various classes over the years with Tommy Halferty and Ronan Guilfoyle. Joe has played with most leading Irish jazz musicians including Tommy Halferty, Louis Stewart, Ronan Guilfoyle, Richie Buckley, Michael Buckley and Justin Carroll.

He has also played with international musicians such as Julian Arguelles, Vincent Courtois, Dave Liebman, Tom Rainey, Martin Speake, Tanya Kalmanovitch, Paul Williamson, Nils Wogram and Dominique Pifalry. Joe is currently a member of the groups Metier, Fuzzy Logic Ensemble and Microclimate.

Starting Tues 5th + Wed 6th July.
Venue ; Peter Dee Academy of Music,Limerick.
5 lessons over 7 weeks(to allow for holidays),so you can pick any 5
weeks over a 7-week period.
All aspects of jazz covered such as ;
Scales,harmony,rhythm,repertoire,
transcription,soloing ,theory,etc…
Lessons tailored to student`s requirements.
Cost ; 5 x 40 min individual lessons = 125 euros
Beginners to advanced.All instruments/vocalists.
For more info,contact;

Limerick Jazz Workshop is rounding off another successful semester with Wednesday evenings gig in Dolans.  The workshops are now in their fourth year and we continue to attract new members in these tough times thanks to our mix of fun and quality teaching. 2011 has seen us move to an excellent new venue at the Northside Learning Hub in Kileely, and very welcome public recognition for our alumnus Andreas Varady. The performers will include both our junior and beginners ensembles.  As always there should be a great party atmosphere.  Please note the earlier start time of 8pm with doors at 7.45.

PETER KING, in the words of one critic, “is the finest alto saxophonist that Britain has ever produced, and one of the finest in the world today” (Dave Gelly, ‘The Giants Of Jazz’, Aurum Press, 1986). He has been a major influence on the British Jazz scene ever since he played (at the age of eighteen!) the opening of Ronnie Scott’s Club, London’s internationally famous Jazz Mecca. “Had Scott’s Club died overnight and been heard of no more, it could still have justified its existence by pointing to a discovery like Peter King.”(Benny Green, ‘Jazz Decade, Ten Years At Ronnie Scott’s’, King’s Road Publishing Ltd 1969) ” A wonderful musician, Peter King is a master of his instrument. People are aware of that here in America as well as in England” said Elvin Jones in Jazz U.K. magazine Sept 2001. “Peter King is one of the best musicians in the world.” (Lalo Schifrin)

On this tour Peter is accompanied by a crack Irish band of Myles Drennan on piano, Mick Coady bass and Stephen Keogh on drums.

More Information…

Darren Sigesmund (trombone)
Eliana Cuevas (vocals)
Luis Deniz (alto sax)
Reg Schwager (guitar)
Jim Vivian (bass)
Ethan Ardelli (drums)

Canadian trombonist Darren Sigesmund’s 2010 JUNO-nominated Strands II CD weaves together compelling Latin-shaded compositions into what the Ottawa Citizen selected as Canadian Jazz CD of 2009 and Toronto Life calls “brilliant”. Most recently, Sigesmund won the 2010 Galaxie Rising Star Award for Best Composition at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal for his song “Dance for Leila”. Since 2003, Sigesmund has established his Strands project as one of Canada’s most active international touring ensembles with tours across Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Following the debut quintet album Strands (2008), the Strands II recording features sensational vocalist Eliana Cuevas and special guest New York tenorman Tim Ries of the Rolling Stones.

The John Kelly Ensemble are celebrating love:live music with a live concert in Limerick, and have free tickets up for grabs. The line-up features Camille O’Sullivan, Gato Azul (Francesco Turrisi, Robbie Harris, Michael Coady & Lucas Gonzales) and the Cashell duo (sisters Sophie and Anna).

This event take place on Friday April 8th at the newly refurbished Belltable, Limerick at 2.30pm. The event is free but ticketed, so if you would like come along then call 01 671 9429 or email admin@musicnetwork.ie. The event is jointly promoted by Music Network and RTÉ lyric fm.

For more details, to register an event or find out what’s happening in your area on the day then visit www.lovelivemusic.ie/.

Andreas Varady, late of this parish, made his debut at Ronnie Scott’s on March 21st.  The gig received a four star review from Jack Massarick, jazz critic of the London Evening Standard and regular contributor to BBC Radio 3.

Self-taught: Andreas Varady

It was a quip worthy of the club’s founder, but the boy took it with a grin. Though hardly visible behind his semi-acoustic guitar, this fresh-faced, self-taught youngster did enough in the next hour to be regarded as a genuine prodigy.

Born to a Slovakian family in Romaniaand now living in Ireland, he is bright but no brat. “I’m grateful to have worked with such great players asMartin Taylor, Louis Stewart and Andreas Oberg,” he acknowledged in an unbroken yet firm voice.

Backed by US bassist Michael Janisch, Ulsterman David Lyttle on drums and his father Bandi Varady on rhythm guitar, Andreas nimbly negotiated two testing jazz standards, Donna Lee and Giant Steps. Much had been made of his gipsy heritage, yet I heard less Django Reinhardt than George Benson and Wes Montgomery.

Entire chunks of their phraseology peppered his work, but more significant was his slick all-round technique and strong rhythmic impetus, assets which cannot be taught. A superstar? Not yet, but the makings
are definitely there.

Coltrane was the one of the most influential saxophonists in the history of jazz. He had a prolific yet short career (due his untimely death at the age of 40 in 1967), recording on over 100 albums and was at the forefront of almost every movement in jazz from the 50’s to the late 60’s – bebop, hardbop, modal and free jazz.

Alex Mathias and his fine group of young musicians capture the essence of Coltrane’s music and style, taking the audience through the different stages of his career as a leader. Starting the show with some of Coltrane’s most recognisable hardbop compositions from early albums like ‘Blue Train’ they then move on to the music from ‘My Favorite Things’ and ‘Giant Steps’ putting a unique stamp on Coltrane’s compositions and arrangements of standards. Mathias talks briefly between tunes about the saxophonist’s career giving an overview of the spiritual and musical discoveries Coltrane made on the way. The latter part of the show encompasses many of the ‘classic quartet’ tunes from later albums with Elvin Jones (drums), Jimmy Garrison (double bass) and McCoy Tyner (piano) such as ‘A Love Supreme’ and ‘Crescent’ in which Coltrane used modal jazz concepts and truly allowed his spirituality to shine through.

Award-winning saxophonist and composer Alex Mathias has been working hard on the Irish music scene since returning from his studies at the prestigious Berklee College Of Music in 2006. He has built himself a short but substantial career taking him to over a dozen countries worldwide as a sideman and has developed various projects under his own name touring extensively around Ireland. As a band-leader Mathias performs regularly in Dublin at Livenote Jazz Sessions, a twice weekly event at The International Bar on 23 Wicklow St., which showcases various jazz groups from around Ireland on Tuesday’s and Mathias’ own groups on Thursday’s. This includes The Alex Mathias Quartet (Awarded ‘Best Young Band’ of Cork Jazz Festival 2010),  his current group The Alex Mathias Perspective and his ‘Jazz Legend’s Series’ such as “Alex Mathias plays John Coltrane” (due to tour Ireland in March/April 2011) and “Alex Mathias plays Charlie Parker”. As a composer, Mathias has had original music from his debut album Goin’ Roamin’ (Livenote Records June 2010) featured on Aer Lingus in-flight entertainment and has also been commissioned to arrange his composition ‘Meshuga’ for the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra of which he is a member. Alex continues to write prolifically and is due to release an album of original compositions with his current group The Alex Mathias Perspective in June 2011. Alex teaches saxophone and jazz improvisation/theory.

Joe O’Callaghan, Guitar

John Daly, Vibes

Peter Hanagan, Acoustic and Electric Bass

Ben Wanders, Drums

Tipperary born Joe O Callaghan is one of Ireland’s finest and most respected musicians. Joe has been playing guitar for the past 25 yrs at a very high level having played with some of the country’s finest musicians such as Ronan Guilfoyle Tommy Halferty, Mike Neilsen,Linley Hamilton,and Louis Stewart.  He has also worked with international artists such as Julian Arguelles, Vincent Courtois, Dave Liebman, Tom Rainey, Martin Speake, Tanya Kalmanovitch, Paul Williamson, Nils Wogram and Dominique Pifalry. Joe is an accomplished composer an arranger and is also a sought after educator which keeps him busy when he is not gigging.
This promisees to be a rippin’ gig featuring some heavy funk and rock based grooves so hold on to your seats.

Folks we have Firm Routes coming to the house,leading the band is Joe O Callaghan,one of Ireland’s most respected musicians,as Avant Garde as they come.. this promises to be a rocker of a gig teaming with heavy funk and rock based grooves so hold on to your seats. Thurs Feb 24th The Shannon Rowing Club 9.30pm

David Lyttle has been hailed by the international press as one of the most important jazz artists to emerge from Ireland in recent years. Originally from Co. Armagh, his groups have featured top-tier globally-respected artists such as Greg Osby, Soweto Kinch, Andreas Oberg and Jean Toussaint. All About Jazz (USA) describes him as ‘a drummer of real talent’ and Jazzwise (GB) describes him as ‘a prolific composer’. Following ten tours in 2010, he received the best young jazz musician award from the Cork Jazz Festival.

David is also frequently talked about in the press for his mentoring of thirteen-year-old Slovakian guitarist Andreas Varady, who has lived in Ireland since 2007. Last year, co-leading with Lyttle, the young prodigy released his debut album ‘Questions’ to much acclaim. He also appeared on BBC and RTE radio and television, and guested with guitar heroes Louis Stewart, Andreas Oberg, Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuel. The Irish Times listed Andreas’ introduction to the music world as one of the best musical moments of 2010. Following this tour, he will be headlining at London’s Ronnie Scott’s with his own group, featuring David Lyttle and US bassist Michael Janisch.

Berlin’s Torsten Goods is a genuine star of EU jazz guitar. A generation above Andreas, he was a finalist in the Montreux and Monk Institute guitar competitions, and his early mentors included George Benson, Les Paul and Bireli Lagrene. In addition to these,

he has worked with Chris Potter, Till Brönner, Andreas Öberg and Reverend Run (Run DMC), and recorded three CDs as a leader. Also a singer, Torsten’s set often includes jazz covers of songs by Queen and Van Morrison, who hails from the same county as Torsten’s mother.

On bass is Scotland’s finest, Euan Burton.

Like Lyttle and Goods, he is one of the new crop of entrepreneurial European jazz musicians who make big things happen. He has toured with a diverse list of artists, from New York jazz icons Ari Hoenig and Jonathan Kreisberg, to Scottish folk stars Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham.

Nigel Mooney is widely regarded as Ireland’s leading jazz singer and guitarist. A charismatic figure on the Dublin jazz and blues scenes since the early 1980’s, his Gripewater Blues Band spearheaded the blues movement in Ireland and drew many fans of both jazz and the blues.

A self-taught musician, Mooney was influenced by the blues from an early age and his hard-bop style of guitar playing is expressive and melodic with a bluesy groove. He possesses a warm and rich tenor voice and has an almost flawless sense of pitch. His first album, “All My Love’s In Vain” (Rubyworks) was released in 2005 to critical acclaim and has become one of Ireland’s highest selling albums by a jazz artist. The single, “Beautiful Day” charted on the Irish hit parade and still receives regular airplay.

Limerick Jazz Workshop will start its Spring 2011 semester on February 1st.  The semester will run until the end of term gig at Dolans on May 18th with breaks for mid-term (February 22nd) and Easter Tuesday (April 26th).

We have a new venue in the dedicated music facility in the Northside Learning Hub in Kileely, but times and formats will remain as before:

Beginners            6-7pm  Tuesdays

Ensembles           7-9pm  Tuesdays

Juniors                 2-4pm  Saturdays (starts February 5th)

The total number of sessions is 14.  Cost per session is €20 (concessions/beginners/juniors €10) with €100 (€50) payable upfront.  We will be holding assessment nights in Peter Dee’s on a number of evenings so if you would like to get in touch and try out there is no time like the present!

Happy New Year one and all!
Onwards and Upwards is our New Years motto anyway, so with that in mind, straight into it….We are kicking off the New Years entertainment in style with a visit from our own Andreas Varady and this time he is bringing a special guest!

Andreas is now 13 and has established himself as a very welcome addition to the Irish Jazz scene. Co-leading with Irish drumming force David Lyttle, he released his debut album ‘Questions’, appeared on BBC and RTE radio and television, and guested with guitar heroes Louis Stewart, Andreas Oberg, Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuel!!
Andreas made waves over in New York when he attended a course at Skidmore College of Music, helped along the way by the fine people of Limerick of course!, you can have a look at the day we held for him on Bock The Robber’s page here:
http://bocktherobber.com/2010/05/andreas-varady-fundraiser

He has since also featured in All About Jazz (USA), Jazz Journal (GB) and Jazzwise (GB), and at home was listed by the Irish Times as one of the best musical moments of the year! This year is looking even more exciting, with confirmed headlining spots at London’s Ronnie Scott’s, various festival performances, and special appearances on tour with David Lyttle alongside German guitar star Torsten Goods, US trumpet ace Jason Palmer (Dave Holland, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Common) and saxophone legend Jean Toussaint.

Andreas starts off the year by featuring young Slovakian drum star David Hodek, who in turn featured Andreas in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary in 2010.
Also born in 1997 (yes believe it!) , David has performed at festivals and clubs through Europe, including Warsaw Summer Days, Jazzy Colours (Paris), Jazz Prerov Festival (Czech Republic) and Porgy and Bess (Vienna), where he received the 2009 ‘Talent of the Year’ award. His animal beats have to be witness to be believed, his playing is fluid and finely tuned!
Completing the trio on the night will be Bandi Varady, Andreas’ teacher and father who will be taking a break from rhythm guitar for the night and returning to his roots with the Bass.

SpeakeasyJazz would like to thank the lovely people The Mill Foodstore, Corbally for their help and support!

So, Folks, There ye have it.
A one off night off seriously cool Jazz offered up by the next generation of talent!
Spread the good word folks, Twill Be Great!!!***

Andreas Varady FT David Hodek

The Shannon Rowing club
Thur Jan 20th

Doors 9.30pm-Late

Limerick Jazz Society has announced its Spring 2011 programme.  As usual Limerick Jazz will be presenting a mix of top Irish and international artists.  Dates are as follows:

February 16       Nigel Mooney Quartet

February 23       Dave Lyttle Band featuring Torsten Goods (Germany) and Andreas Varady

March 9             Firm Routes

March 23           Alex Mathias Quartet plays John Coltrane

April 13             Darren Sigesmund (Canada) and Strands II

May 4                Peter King Quartet

May 18              Limerick Jazz Workshop

All gigs will be in Dolans Upstairs and start at 9pm. Admission is €13 (€10 concessions) except for May 11th with an 8pm start and €5 admission.

LJW is now in its fifth year of promoting jazz education in the mid-west and has three ensembles involving over 20 singers and musicians, plus a junior ensemble.  It is the only organization of its type in Ireland outside of Dublin and is a vital part of the very active Limerick jazz scene.

We’ll be playing all kinds of jazz from swing to free and fusion. Our Christmas gig always has a great party atmosphere.  Come along and enjoy the music – who knows, if future you might want to get involved as well.

8pm Dolans Upstairs, €5

After years abroad, Clare is home to invite you to join her on a musical journey that retraces her steps, taking you from Ballinskelligs to Beirut, from Blues to Bossa Nova. Clare is unique not only for her powerful, haunting voice, but for her eclectic and quirky repertoire. She will be joined by three of Ireland’s top Jazz musicians, for what promises to be an unforgettable night, with Joe O’ Callaghan on Guitar, Dave Fleming on Bass and John Daly on Drums. From the Swing Songs of Chet Baker to Brazilian Boss Nova; from the chansons of Yves Montand to the Gospel numbers of Duke Ellington; from the raunchiest of Etta James’ Blues to the Ballads of Billie Holiday and George Gershwin. Coming full circle back home to her roots, no evening with Clare could pass without losing yourself to the stillness and passion of one of her Sean-nós songs.

There is nothing to beat the rhythmic drive and sheer power of a jazz big band. The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra brings this quality to its concerts with superb ensemble playing and its outstanding soloists from all four sections, reeds, trombones, trumpets and rhythm. All of the members of this 17 piece jazz orchestra are well known members of the Irish jazz scene and they bring to this orchestra all their well honed skills as they perform arrangements from the great International writers and Irish composers.

Ciaran Wilde and Mark Adams founded the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra and it began as a big band in 2007 to enable students at the Ballymun Wind Project to see and hear what a big band would look like as an encouragement to them in their studies.

After a performance in the IMC tent at the Electric Picnic in 2008 the band had two residencies since then in the Button Factory in Dublin’s Temple Bar in the Summer and Autumn of 2009. It began another residency in the Button Factory in Dublin in February which has continued throughout the year. In September the orchestra began a residency in the Tivoli Theatre in Dublin where it plays for dancing every Sunday night.

This year the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra has appeared twice on the Late Late Show on RTE with the singers Mary Coughlan and Jerry Fish.

Also this year the orchestra has played at the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Festival of World Cultures in July, the Kilkenny Arts Festival in August and the Culture Night in September and will perform in three concerts at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in October. More Information…

Hey
Here’s hoping you had a great weekend, despite the freezing temperatures! Those of you who are game enough to brave the weather this week are in for a treat, because next Thursday, Nov 18th, SpeakeasyJazz would like to invite you to shake down with some Experimental Easy-listening on Planet Groove.

With inventive re-workings of tunes you know, in forms you may not instantly recognise, the Oxysonoric Lounge Lizards deconstruct, dismember,
reconfigure, rejuvenate and radically rework jazz standards, gospel, soul, soundtracks, classic mainstream and underground sub-pop anthems.

Think of a trip-hop, be-bop mash up for the ears, the mind, the soul, and the feet, and you’re starting to get the right idea. It’s impossible to contain this outfit by genre. The dynamic between the instruments and vocals make them more than the sum of their parts.

The Oxysonoric Lounge Lizards treat all music as one, something to be played, played with, enjoyed, twisted and explored - something both expressive and entertaining, treated with respect, and humour.

If the Cottonclub was still around this may well be the kind of stuff they would be playing.

A retro-future, genre blender bringing swing to the new and funk to the old.

So much to do and so little time!…. As a treat a group from The Limerick Jazz Workshops will be coming along to play a half hour set before The Oxysonorics, and DJ A2DF will be along afterwards to keep ya bumpin’ and jumpin’ on the floor until all hours!

Don’t be scared, its good for you!

The Oxysonoric Lounge Lizards
Support band from Limerick Jazz Workshops
Followed by DJ Til late

The Shannon Rowing Club
Thur Nov 18th

Doors 9.00

Northside Learning Hub & Leviathan Political Cabaret – Limerick “ Is music worth paying for?”

in association with The Sunday Times

Limerick’s Northside Learning Hub is delighted to co-host the city’s second Leviathan Political Cabaret in Dolans Warehouse Wednesday Nov 24th 8pm. www.leviathan.ie

The Late Late’s band leader extraodinaire Paddy Cullivan hosts an evening of musical satire and lively discussion with music from the Paddy himself and his “Leviathan Arkestra” and some local limerick talent also. Guests so far include Spin FM’s Michelle Mc Mahon, the legendary impresario and limerick entrepreneur Mick Dolan of Dolan’s Warehouse, Kathleen Turner of the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s Sing Out Strings programme, David O’Connell renowned musician and Principal of the Limerick School of Music, James Blake of the Northside Learning Hub & Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, Dave O’Donovan of Eightball Promotions and Media and Alan Owens journalist and music blogger with the Limerick Leader.

This event marks the launch of the Learning Hub’s brand new Music Hub at Kileely House. This new facility will house a fully equipped recording studio and music rehearsal and teaching space. We will also be welcoming the Limerick School of Music to the Music Hub from December to provide outreach music education for young people from surrounding areas for the first time!

Audience participation is a vital component of all Leviathan Political Cabaret so if you have something to say about the future of music in Ireland, come and get involved!

For more info contact Jennifer@learninghub.ie

Mark McKnight is a guitarist from Belfast, Northern Ireland.  Mark began his studies in jazz when awarded a scholarship from the Arts Council of Ireland to study at the Skidmore Jazz Institute, NY.  The following year Mark attended Berklee College of Music on scholarship from which he graduated in 2006, receiving awards for outstanding musicianship. Since returning to Ireland Mark has established himself as one of the country’s leading young jazz musicians, as attested to by his being named the ”Best Young Irish Musician 2009″ at the Cork Jazz Festival, and in addition played with some of the island’s most respected classical and concert orchestras, having featured as a soloist in national broadcasts with both the Ulster and RTE Concert Orchestras.

New York based tenor saxophonist/composer Seamus Blake is recognized as one of the finest exponents of contemporary jazz. His music is known for its sophistication, bold improvisations and “sheer swagger”.  John Scofield, who hired Seamus for his “Quiet Band,” called him “extraordinary, a total saxophonist.” Seamus Blake’s latest two releases, Bellwether  (Criss Cross Jazz 2009) and Live in Italy (Jazz Eyes 2009), have garnered considerable critical praise for his masterful playing, his fine compositional skills and for his facility as a leader.  Live in Italy was awarded 4.5 stars in Downbeat. Described as “a knockout”,  “one of the elite albums of the year” and “as exhilarating as a shot of espresso”, it is on many Top of the Year lists.

The quartet is completed by young British Hammond organ player Ross Stanley and one of London’s busiest creative drummers James Maddren

Isa Wiss  vocals

Greg Felton piano

Cormac O’Brien bass

Seán Carpio drums

“Dazzling post-Cecil Taylor banging…” Downbeat Magazine on Greg Felton

Are you sitting comfortably? Brace yourself for a few bombshells as Greg Felton’s trio go head to head with the incomparable vocalist Isa Wiss. Tipped as a major star of the future, Wiss is one of those musicians who defies description; her remarkable technique and three-octave range make her a truly free improviser who can switch from stuttering gasps and cries to honeyed tones in a single phrase. Greg Felton is the perfect foil for Wiss’ vocal acrobatics. Hailed in the Irish Times as “the most gifted young pianist on the scene,” Felton is another fearless improviser whose distinctive compositions and two-fisted technique draw on everything from jazz and folk traditions to South Indian classical music. More Information…

Cole Porter is famous for his flamboyant character and his legacy of great songs such as ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’, ‘Night And Day’, ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’, ‘Love For Sale’ ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’, ‘In The Still Of The Night’ and many more.  Cormac Kenevey and his band delve enthusiastically into the Cole Porter Songbook to bring an entertaining evening of new interpretations of this timeless music. The critically acclaimed jazz singer’s 2010 schedule included representation of Ireland at Eurojazz Festival in Mexico, Dubai and London and performances with the RTE Concert Orchestra.

“Immediately refreshing, he exudes confidence, wit and style” 4-stars - The Times

“Kenevey brings heart, spirit and warmth to everything he sings” - Jazzwise

“Hugely Impressive” - The Sunday Times More Information…

Francesco Turrisi is a pianist, accordionist, harpsichordist and percussionist now living in Dublin. In 1997 he left his native Italy to study jazz piano and early music at The Royal Conservatory in the Hague, where he obtained his Master’s degree.   His trio includes Dan Bodwell on double bass and Sean Carpio on drums.

Between 2004 and 2007 he played harpsichord and percussion with acclaimed early music ensemble l’Arpeggiata, performing at many of the most important early music festivals of the world. Since moving to Ireland, he has become a focal point of the domestic jazz scene, and the founder of Tarab, an ensemble experimenting with different elements of Mediterranean music, jazz improvisation and Irish traditional music. Tarab’s 2007 performance at the National Concert Hall was described by The Irish Times as “the most enchanting music I have heard this year”.

His new CD ‘Si Dolce’ is inspired by 17th century Italian melodies, harmonic progressions and forms. The music is orchestrated for Jazz Piano trio, augmented on certain tracks by the addition of a Bass Clarinet, and on two pieces, a rare 17th century extended lute, called the Theorbo.

Francesco has worked with many notable artists from the diverse field of Jazz, Early and World musics, including Dave Liebman, Jean Toussaint, Gianluigi Trovesi, Gabriele Mirabassi, Maria Pia de Vito, John Ruocco, The King’s Singers, Veronique Gens, Dominique Visse, Philippe Jaroussky, Vittorio Ghielmi, Pepe el Habichuela, Lucilla Galeazzi, Bijan Chemirani, Abdullah Chhadeh, Ronan Guilfoyle and Julie Feeney.

24 year old pianist/composer Kit Downes exploded onto the British Jazz Scene playing with the band Empirical, taking him through Europe and America, and then with Troyka, Fraud and Acoustic Ladyland. Two years on, Kit moved on to his own trio project and this debut album sees him developing as a strong voice both as a performer and composer.  Joined by his two Royal Academy colleagues award winning 24 year old bassist Calum Gourlay and 23 year old rising drum star James Maddren the music displays a level of understanding and intelligence between players that can only come from working closely together for a number of years.  They read each other perfectly.  The trio’s latest album Golden (Basho Records) was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Music Prize.

“a breathtaking improviser, and weaver of magical piano soundscapes, Kit Downes is world class” - Helen Mayhew, Jazz FM

“an exceptional talent”  - Stuart Nicholson, The Observer Music Monthly 2009

‘A very skilled and fluid pianist, Downes is not only bursting with fresh ideas but has that rare ability to carry them off.” - Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise

More Information…

Following the live music on the night DJ A2DF will be playing some lovely 60s soul and RnB, so get your glad rags on, bring your dancing shoes and expect a great night out

Rhythm Method was co-founded in 2009 by guitarist Shane Latimer and Bassist Cormac O’Brien. With the addition of Bill Blackmore on trumpet, Darragh O’Kelly on keys and Shane O’Donovan on drums a collaborative project featuring five of Dublin’s most innovative and creative musicians was established.

The writing responsibilities are shared and the music reflects the different creative personalities in the group. With only a few gigs under their belt, the band has already established a cohesive group sound which explores the possibilities of minimalism, groove, free improvisation and odd meters. With a focus on lyricism and musicality over extended forms, Rhythm Method deliver a set of music that is constantly engaging and full of surprises. More Information…

Limerick Jazz Society has just announced the programme for its autumn 2010 season

• Sept 8     Cormac O’Brien’s Rhythm Method
• Sept 22   Kit Downes Trio (UK)
• Oct 6      Francesco Turrisi
• Oct 13    Cormac Kenevey sings Cole Porter
• Oct 17    Greg Felton Trio featuring Isa Wiss
• Oct 20    Mark McKnight Quartet featuring Seamus Blake (USA)
• Nov 17   Dublin City Jazz Orchestra
• Nov 24   Clare Horgan Quartet
• Dec 8     Limerick Jazz Workshop Student Performance

The venue for all performances is Dolans Upstairs, apart from the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra gig which will take place in Dolans Warehouse. All performances are on Wednesday evenings apart from Greg Felton which is on a Sunday. Start time is 9pm and tickets are €13 (€10 concessions) apart from Limerick Jazz Workshop (€5).

July sees the welcome return of Tony Miceli to Limerick for the third International Vibes Workshop.

Tony is an internationally renowned vibraphonist and jazz educator.  He teaches at the University of the Arts, Rowan University and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.  He is also webmaster and host of www.vibesworkshop.com.

The workshop runs from Sunday 18th July at the Peter Dee Academy of Music , O’Connell St.  Hours are 10-12am, 1-3pm.  From 18th-21st July there will be specialist classes for mallet players only. From 22nd-25th July classes will be for all instruments.  The week will be rounded off public performance on the 25th.  The cost of tuition is a very reasonable 30 euro per day.

This week provides an opportunity to work with an outstanding teacher in an intimate setting with very limited student numbers.  To book your place contact www.vibesworkshop.com or jonndal@gmail.com.

The International Vibes Workshop is supported by Mike Balter Mallets, AMT, Jurys Inn and the Peter Dee Academy of Music.

SJP are back with their summer school.  The faculty includes Anita Wardell, Michael Manring, Mike Nielsen and Bill Carrothers.  More details here

Limerick-based guitarist Andreas Varady has been awarded the Skidmore Jazz Studentship for 2010.  This Arts Council award allows Andreas to spend two weeks at Skidmore College, upstate New York, later this summer.  The school has an outstanding faculty and will provide a great development opportunity for Andreas.

The award is open to all young jazz musicians in Ireland and the fact that Andreas has received it at the age of 12 is a reflection of his outstanding talent and application.

The picture accompanying this post was taken by Tony Rogers, andshows Andreas playing with Terell Stafford in Limerick earlier this year.  He did not look pr sound out of place in a group of experienced international performers and can only get better in the next few years.

Linley has been on the scene for many years now having doubled up his jazz career with one in the Rock and Pop arena. Well known for his work with Paul Brady, Linley has also toured or recorded with Andrew Strong, the Commitments, Foy Vance, Eleanor McEvoy and Duke Special among others, but has somewhat left tha