THE 2009 Galway Jazz Festival takes place from Thursday November 19 to Sunday 22 and will feature acts from Norway, The US, Germany, Britain, Italy, and Ireland.
The festival opens with a gala concert in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church when saxophonist Trygve Seim leads a 10 piece band that includes Arve Henriksen (trumpet ) and Frode Haltli (accordion ).
Singer Rebecca Martin (think somewhere between Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones ) will perform with bassist Larry Grenadier.
Polar Bear, the Mercury nominated indie band that melds jazz with electronica mash ups will be joined by drummer Seb Rochford. Ronan Guilfoyle’s Metier features five of the strongest musicians in Ireland today.
A brace of European pianists adorn this year’s festival. Turin born Francesco Turrisi was formerly harpsichordist with acclaimed baroque ensemble l’Arpeggiata, experience he has put to productive use in his trio, which draws inspiration from early music and Italian folk melodies.
Bonn pianist Julia Hülsmann has been a stellar figure of the German jazz scene for well over a decade, making rhythmically insistent music that is both poetic and approachable.
Dubliner Hugh Buckley is back at the festival. His show is a must for guitar fans as it wil feature American guitarist John Stowell and Ballinasloe born classical guitarist John Feeley.
Rounding off proceedings nightly is Headford saxophonist Matt Berrill who will lead a group of emerging Galway voices like guitarist Aengus Hackett and trumpeter Conor Cantrell.
A festival pass for all eight concerts costs €80. Tickets can be booked through the Town Hall Theatre on 091 - 569777. See also www.galwayjazzfest.com
