There’s lots going on for listeners and players alike this summer in Limerick!

Tony Miceli’s International Vibes Workshop makes a welcome return the week commencing July 15.  As usual the workshop will take place at the Peter Dee Academy of Music on O’Connell Avenue. Vibes students will be attending from all over Europe, and there will be an a ensemble class for other instruments as well.  Tony is based in Philadelphia where he performs and teaches at the University of the Arts, Temple University and the renowned Curtis Institute of Music conservatoire. He performs and teaches around the world (the video below is from a recent trip to South Korea) and his visits to Limerick provide a wonderful opportunity to bring your playing up a level.  The ensemble class will be from 6.30pm and cost for the week is €150.  The course will finish with a performance in Bentley’s, O’Connell St. at 9pm.  Contact John Daly for more information.

There is also a regular Tuesday night jam session at 7pm in Peter Dee’s followed by a gig in Dr John’s on Thomas St

Last but very far from least we’ll all be keeping an eye on Andreas Varady as he plays top festivals all over the world with Quincy Jones’ Great Global Gumbo Project.  The video below features one of Andreas’ compositions “Quincology”, as played by the students at Limerick Jazz Workshop’s summer gig last May bank holiday weekend.

Limerick Jazz Workshop has been providing high quality jazz education for over five years.  We’ve teamed up with Riverfest for our end of term gig, which will take place in the Best Western Pery’s Hotel on the afternoon of Sunday May 5.

Performances will feature students from the Limerick Jazz Workshop Classes which run every Tuesday at the Northside Learning Hub from Sept to May.  Five ensembles will perform on the day and features students from the age of 15 upwards, It is a great entertainment for a very affordable €5, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

• Mikkel Ploug – Guitar
• Jeppe Skovbakke – Bass
• Sean Carpio – Drums

The Mikkel Ploug trio with Sean Carpio and Jeppe Skovbakke have toured all over Europe and released three albums for spanish label Fresh Sound Records.

The trio has opened for jazzlegend Wayne Shorter and worked with some of the most renowned saxophonists such as Mark Turner, Loren Stillman and Bill McHenry. The repertoire is Mikkel’s original compositions who have won much recognition all over the world for their originality and strong melodic qualities. Mikkel, Sean and Jeppe are also part of a number of bands making a statement on the music scene today like the Wowos, The Unusual History Of Ether, Pete Robbins Transatlantic, Equilibrium and more.

“As time has passed, Ploug’s melodic gift has become clearer” – Jakob Bækgaard – All About Jazz (US

“Mikkel Ploug’s compositions are gorgeous. RVAJazz Virginia (US)

“An original voice with something to say…” – Bud Kopmann – All About Jazz (US)

“Mikkel Ploug has been slowly, but surely, building a reputation for himself, and deservedly so. His live performances speak for themselves – Jerry D’Souza – All About Jazz (US)

“Guitarist Mikkel Ploug’s star has been ascending—not only in his native Denmark, but also in various overlapping international jazz circles.” – Elliott Simon – All About Jazz (US)

“…great originality and elegance.”- Downtown Music Gallery, (US)

Aside from their very real talent and a defined sound, this group is also interesting in being an unselfconscious meeting of contemporary European and American jazz musicians which, outside the perilous world of touring soloists and pick-up bands, is a pretty rare commodity in jazz – Cormac Larkin – National Irish Tribune (IE) Continue reading →