THERE ARE times when people cannot be blamed for wondering if the plethora of annual Galway festivals is really of any lasting benefit to the city. Outside of the arts festival, Cúirt, the races, and the film fleadh, do any of them bring anything more tangible to Galway than a good time?
The simple fact is they do, but these benefits are for the most part intangible and not immediately obvious. This was brought home to me last year when I was honoured by being asked to open the Galway Jazz Festival.
Walking into the now sadly closed Bar 8, I was confronted by a bunch of smiling teenagers with a scatter of instruments. In front of them on a barstool was a fit looking octogenarian sitting nice and relaxed holding a trumpet. To my delight, they launched into a version of ‘Watermelon Man’ that any self respecting New Orleans jazz band would have been proud of.
More extraordinary was this was the first time these teenagers from Headford, and the godfather of Galway jazz John Merrick, had ever met, not to mind played together. Notwithstanding, what they were laying down would lift the darkest heart.
A couple of weeks ago the Education section of the Galway Advertiser carried a piece inviting teenagers who might be interested in joining the Galway Youth Jazz orchestra to go to Scoil Éinde, Doctor Mannix Road, where they would receive the rudiments of jazz instruction with a view to playing in the orchestra.
Both these jazz orchestras were founded about the same time as the first Galway Jazz Festival was held. In fact one of the highlights of that festival was the concert given by the Galway Youth Jazz Orchestra in the Meyrick Hotel and some of these musicians were later to turn fully or semi professional, playing with some of the best jazz musicians in Britain. In fact, as John Fleming, one of the prominent figures in the Galway jazz scene claims, Galway is currently the liveliest jazz centre outside of Dublin.
The Galway Jazz Festival may not be directly involved with these orchestras, but it does have an indirect effect on their development, and on the Galway jazz scene. The commitment of the festival to the youth of Galway goes much deeper and is a classic example of what these festivals can add to the cultural life of the city and county.
One of the most important events of the festival is its school programme, where visiting musicians visit participating schools in the city, introduce the pupils to jazz, and give master classes.
So when you do support the Galway Jazz Festival – which this year runs from October 9 to 13 – by going to a concert, you also support the cultural education of Galway’s youth. Now what better way to have a wonderful evening!
