Dolans Upstairs
Thursday 14 May 2026
Doors: 8:30pm, Gig: 9:00pm
Tickets: €15 (Buy tickets under “All Events” on our website or at the door)
The Levy/Robson Quartet returns this May following their riveting tour of Italy and the UK last autumn, with the fruit of that tour, a new musical offering – a brand-new album filled with original tunes (Livia Records, May 2026). The quartet plays music penned by both Levy and Robson. The music is innovative and contemporary whilst remaining highly melodic and groovy, with a strong sense of tradition mixed in with the diverse characteristics of each composer.
“On The Unpredictability of the Sea, inspiration for both musicians comes in many forms; myriad musical roots and branches, the wonder of nature, and the arts all run in their creative veins.” Says Ian Petterson in the album’s liner notes – “Levy and Robson are widely acknowledged maestros of their respective instruments, and the soloing on their debut album is utterly persuasive. But they are also fine composers, as these ten originals handsomely attest. Each contributes five compositions of singular stamp. If there is a common denominator, it is that the tunes bridge tradition and modernity. “I live in both worlds and revel in both worlds,” says Levy. “I like to share that belief with the audience, you know, that it’s all the same music and you can tap into all of it. You don’t have to codify it to be just one thing.”
This musical partnership was formed in New York City in 2017 between the highly acclaimed US saxophonist Jed Levy www.jedlevy.com and multi-award-winning UK born guitarist Phil Robson www.philrobsonmusic.com , who was living in NY at the time. The American quartet featuring Peter Slavov and Clarence Penn quickly began to become a regular feature in the city’s iconic venues such as Smalls, Birdland, 55 Bar etc, as well as touring in the UK, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Northern California and more. Robson relocated to Ireland in 2020, but since that time the collaboration has continued with various European incarnations of the band. In November/December 2025 They toured extensively in Italy and the UK joined by one of Europe’s most celebrated drummers from Rome, Roberto Gatto https://www.robertogatto.com and the incredible UK bassist Mark Hodgson who is one of the most in demand bassists on the contemporary jazz scene today https://www.peteatkin.com/mhodgson/mhodgson.htm
During that tour, while in Rome, they recorded a brand-new album called ‘The Unpredictability of the Sea’ which is due for release in May 2026 on the great Irish Label ‘Livia Records’. The Tour in that month will be to promote the album, and it will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity to hear this music live.
Line up:
Jed Levy – tenor saxophone
Phil Robson – guitar
Mark Hodgson – bass
Shane O’Donovan – drums