Limerick comes alive once again with the soulful sounds of jazz from across the globe.
Now in its 15th year, the Limerick Jazz Festival continues to celebrate the vibrant legacy and dynamic future of jazz in Ireland and beyond.
Wednesday
- A Love Supreme – a Unique Performance of John Coltrane’s Iconic Suite on his 100th Birthday.
Acclaimed as one of the most important jazz albums of all time, John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’ suite will be performed in its entirety at the Limerick Jazz Festival on September 23rd, Coltrane’s 100th birthday. It will be performed by a group featuring some of Ireland’s finest jazz musicians – Michael Buckley on saxophone, Leopoldo Osio on piano, Ronan Guilfoyle on bass and Darren Beckett on drums. Apart from being great players in their own right, this group specialises in the performance of A Love Supreme and comes together once a year specifically to play this extraordinary music.
The programme will include other music by Coltrane, taken from ‘Giant Steps’; another classic Coltrane album, and culminating in the full performance of ‘A Love Supreme’.
Dolan's Upstairs - 8.30pm. Tickets available here.
Thursday
- Arbenz X Osby / Barradas / Moutin „Conversation_LAB“
In this brand new cross-continental collaboration, acclaimed Swiss drummer Florian Arbenz joins the sensational Portuguese accordion wizard Joāo Barradas, US sax legend Greg Osby and French bassist François Moutin to launch ‚Conversation_LAB’.
Florian first collaborated with Osby back in 1998 and, whilst the professional relationship has now lasted over 28 years, this is their first project together featuring Portuguese Accordion-star Joāo Barradas and French bass-legend François Moutin!
Across a career spanning more than 30 years, drummer and percussionist Florian Arbenz has carved out a reputation as not just a skilled musician, but as a creative collaborator.
This is on full display in his new quartet which brings together fellow musicians whose rhythmic concept, harmonic vision and open-minded playing take the listener on a journey which ranges from hard-swinging solos and free improvisations to dreamy soundscapes.
This slightly unusual line up of accordion, bass, sax & drums gives this group a very special and very specific sound.
Dolan's - 8pm. Tickets available here.
Friday
- Tom Ollendorf Trio with special guest Will Vinson
This spring, Tom Ollendorff embarks on a world tour celebrating the release of his critically acclaimed third album, Where in the World. Best known for his singular guitar voice, melodic imagination, and emotional clarity, Ollendorff has quickly established himself as one of the most compelling young artists of his generation.
Described by Jazz Views as “an album that hits the sweet spot of being both readily accessible and offering depths that reveal something new with each listen,” the music has resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike. Tom will be performing with two of the world’s most sought-after musicians David Ingamells on drums and Conor Chaplin on bass.
Widely recognised for his highly distinctive sound, Tom blends virtuosic technique with a sophisticated harmonic language, nuance, and sensitivity. In 2022, he published Etudes, his first collection of works for solo guitar, with Faber Music. The book has since sold internationally across Europe, Asia, Australasia, and North America, further cementing his reputation within the global guitar community.
Belltable - 7.30pm. Tickets available here. John Donegan Quintet/Reroute
Following a successful run of four sextet recordings, Cork-born, Herfordshire-based pianist John Donegan changes direction with a return to the jazz piano trio tradition on his latest album, Interfuse.Donegan is joined in the trio by two longstanding colleagues. Drummer John Daly has provided the swing, drive and detail on Donegan’s three Irish Sextet albums and bassist Bernard O’Neill, who has acted as producer on eight of Donegan’s nine previous albums, takes up a dual role as producer and Daly’s rhythm section partner.
Alongside the trio and quartet tracks there is a solo piano performance of A Song for Ciara, a tender dedication to Donegan’s eldest daughter which first appeared on the pianist’s 1997 album of the same name.
Dolan's Upstairs - 8pm. Tickets available here.Saturday
Shadowlands
Following the internationally acclaimed debut of Ombres, Shadowlands return with Two Minds, a striking new album blending traditional Irish song with contemporary improvisation and original compositions shaped by folk and European jazz.
For this performance Kit Downes will be replaced by Elliot Galvin another wonderful UK pianist who has many credible performances to his name and hi is also a member of the Mercury nominated Dinosaur and has collaborated with Shabaka Hutchangs, Emma- Jean Thackrav, Norman Winston and Mark Lockheart.
Dolan's Upstairs - 8.30pm. Tickets available here.Sunday
- Zoe Gilby Quartet/Tommy Halferty Quartet
Zoë Gilby is a vocalist and songwriter, making a stunning impression on the music scene today. Her compelling original compositions are written with double bassist husband Andy Champion. A powerful collection of songs with a strong narrative.
Supported by guitarist Mark Williams and drummer John Bradford they deliver a commanding mix of musical sophistication and dramatic edge. An engaging repertoire of story telling and atmosphere, her stockpile of music also includes an adventurous blend of contemporary composers from Kate Bush to Pink Floyd and the sensitive treatment of jazz standards, completes this particular “story-book” Touring the UK and internationally, she continues to perform at prominent jazz festivals and venues.
Dolan's Upstairs - 3pm - 5pm. tickets available here.
This festival is brought to you with support from Limerick City and County Council.
Events published on Limerick.ie are subject to change. Readers are advised to check with the organiser for further details.
