JAZZ MUSICIANS from Holland, Japan, the USA, and Scandinavia, will be converging on this city for the Galway Jazz Festival 2008 which runs from Thursday November 20 to Sunday 23.
The opening concert will feature New York pianist Kenny Werner in the Aula Maxima, NUI Galway, on Thursday 20. The Grammy nominated Werner brings a lyrical intimacy and grand orchestral sweep to his playing.
On Friday 21, Scandinavia’s The Thing and Japan’s Otomo Yoshihide play the Nuns Island Studio. The Thing are a confrontational free jazz trio who play energetic, individualistic, takes on songs by PJ Harvey and The White Stripes. Otomo Yoshihide is a leading figure in Japan’s experimental music scene. Using guitar and turntables, Yoshihide explores feedback and sine waves.
On Saturday 22, Amsterdam’s Eric Vloeimans Gatecrash Quartet play The Crane Bar. Trumpeter Vloeimans and his virtuoso groove band Gatecrash, will show Galway why they garnered four prestigious Dutch Edison Awards.
On Sunday 23, trumpeter Guy Barker and Irish jazz guitarist Hugh Buckley will play The Crane Bar. Buckley has worked with Georgie Fame while Barker has shared the stage with Ornette Coleman and Frank Sinatra.
Booking is through the Town Hall Theatre on 091 - 569777. See also www.galwayjazzfestival.com
