Bray Jazz returns for its 16th edition this coming Bank Holiday weekend from 1-3 May. The highly popular festival, set in the picturesque seaside town of Bray nestled at the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, has built a reputation over the years for hosting world class international and local acts. Bray Jazz 2015 is no exception.
Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire was voted Downbeat Artist of The Year 2011 and is widely considered as one of the most exciting jazz trumpeters on the contemporary American scene. He leads a stellar quartet in the Mermaid Arts Centre on Friday 3rd.
Also appearing in the Mermaid, on May 1st, is the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra featuring Lauren Kinsella and Laura Jurd, two of the indisputable rising stars of the London Jazz scene. The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra will be performing arrangements of the late, great Kenny Wheeler’s music, conducted by special guest Pete Churchill, professor of music at London’s Royal Academy of Music and long-time arranger and conductor of Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band.
On Saturday 2nd, multi-instrumentalist Ed Motta will bring the many rhythms and colors of his native Brazil to the Mermaid.
There are three highly diverse afternoon gigs in the Town Hall: Francesco Turrisi & The Taquin Experiment (May 1st), Kyai Jati Roso (May 2nd) and Sue Rynhart Duo (May 3rd).
Italian pianist Turrisi is one of the most original pianist’s in contemporary European jazz/improvised music. Expect a colourful tapestry of jazz, classical and pan-Mediterranean threads. Turrisi will also play a free gig with the Francesco Turrisi Quartet on May 2nd on the Harbour Stage at 3pm.
Kyai Jati Roso is the National Concert Hall Gamelan Orchestra and it will be a rare opportunity to see a gamlean orchestra up close in the intimate surroundings of the Town Hall. Vocalist Sue Rynhart has been getting rave reviews for her debut album Crossings: Songs for Vice and Double Bass. The double bass in this case is Dan Bodwell. Unique and quietly mesmerizing music.
Other gigs of note include the free gig of the Nick Roth Quartet on the Harbour Stage, (May 3rd) at 3pm and Neo-soul collective Butter, also on the Harbour Stage (May 2nd, 10pm).
Rounding out the festivities is Havana ‘Che, Ireland’s leading exponents of Cuban rhythms. The ten-piece makes a welcome return to Bray Jazz seven years after it last performance here.
In addition, Pete Churchill will give a not-t-be-missed workshop in the Town Hall on Saturday, 10am. The well-established Molson Canadian Jazz Fringe offers over thirty acts in various venues across the town, all of which kick off between 9.30 and 10pm. Gigs to watch out for (in addition to the Nick Roth Quartet and Francesco Turrisi Quartet) are Max Zaska Duo, Julien Colarossi/Francesco Turrisi Duo and pianist Leopoldo Osio.
Another fantastic weekend of jazz beckons in Bray. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
For full program details and ticket information please visit the Bray Jazz website.
Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire was voted Downbeat Artist of The Year 2011 and is widely considered as one of the most exciting jazz trumpeters on the contemporary American scene. He leads a stellar quartet in the Mermaid Arts Centre on Friday 3rd.
Also appearing in the Mermaid, on May 1st, is the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra featuring Lauren Kinsella and Laura Jurd, two of the indisputable rising stars of the London Jazz scene. The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra will be performing arrangements of the late, great Kenny Wheeler’s music, conducted by special guest Pete Churchill, professor of music at London’s Royal Academy of Music and long-time arranger and conductor of Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band.
On Saturday 2nd, multi-instrumentalist Ed Motta will bring the many rhythms and colors of his native Brazil to the Mermaid.
There are three highly diverse afternoon gigs in the Town Hall: Francesco Turrisi & The Taquin Experiment (May 1st), Kyai Jati Roso (May 2nd) and Sue Rynhart Duo (May 3rd).
Italian pianist Turrisi is one of the most original pianist’s in contemporary European jazz/improvised music. Expect a colourful tapestry of jazz, classical and pan-Mediterranean threads. Turrisi will also play a free gig with the Francesco Turrisi Quartet on May 2nd on the Harbour Stage at 3pm.
Kyai Jati Roso is the National Concert Hall Gamelan Orchestra and it will be a rare opportunity to see a gamlean orchestra up close in the intimate surroundings of the Town Hall. Vocalist Sue Rynhart has been getting rave reviews for her debut album Crossings: Songs for Vice and Double Bass. The double bass in this case is Dan Bodwell. Unique and quietly mesmerizing music.
Other gigs of note include the free gig of the Nick Roth Quartet on the Harbour Stage, (May 3rd) at 3pm and Neo-soul collective Butter, also on the Harbour Stage (May 2nd, 10pm).
Rounding out the festivities is Havana ‘Che, Ireland’s leading exponents of Cuban rhythms. The ten-piece makes a welcome return to Bray Jazz seven years after it last performance here.
In addition, Pete Churchill will give a not-t-be-missed workshop in the Town Hall on Saturday, 10am. The well-established Molson Canadian Jazz Fringe offers over thirty acts in various venues across the town, all of which kick off between 9.30 and 10pm. Gigs to watch out for (in addition to the Nick Roth Quartet and Francesco Turrisi Quartet) are Max Zaska Duo, Julien Colarossi/Francesco Turrisi Duo and pianist Leopoldo Osio.
Another fantastic weekend of jazz beckons in Bray. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
For full program details and ticket information please visit the Bray Jazz website.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
