The blog is dedicated to Irish Jazz and to the fans, musicians and venues that support it. if you have any content you would like to add to the blog please get in touch.
HAPPY NEW YEAR - Jazz Reflections about the old and the new dreams for a "New Beginning in the new, covid-free Jazz Year 2022
Read more: Tales from the far Side 30.12.21 Happy New Year-encouraging Jazz Greetings
Is 'zat you santa Claus" Seasonal Greetings from the jazz Shed in Glen Nephin
Read more: Tales from the far side 23.12.21 Is 'zat you Santa Claus-Christmas Edition
On this edition you can hear some of the best female timekeepers in Jazz, from the early days of Viola Smith to the funky grooves of our time, from Terri Lyne Carrington to Marilyn Mazur.
Read more: Tales from the far Side 09-12-2021 The Female Heartbeat/Drumbeat in Jazz
The Hot Box #77……What’s Inside?
Taking a leaf out of the book of jazz station WBGO Newark New Jersey, this edition of The Hot Box presents “Singers Unlimited”.
So if vocal jazz sets your pulse racing, this one’s for you. And there’s a little nod in the direction Christmas as well. Every one of these great singers has appeared in Ireland over the years. (And of course, some of them are Irish!)
The Celtic Hotclub are a band who play celtic fused Jazz Monouche (gypsy jazz). Traditional Irish melodies and devices are drawn upon liberally, to inform and inspire our gypsy jazz themes, interplay and improvisation.
Virtuoso Violinist Anne Phelan (RTE Concert Orchestra) joins seasoned guitarist Eamonn Moran (Cotton Club Quartet), Rhythm guitarist extraordinaire Vincent “Teck” Jézequel (Brittany France) and rising star of the double bass Derek Whyte, to produce an album that creatively blends Traditional Irish music and Jazz Manouche.
Read more: New album from The Celtic Hotclub - A Meeting Of Strangers
Programmed by Irish Times jazz critic and Sofa Sessions curator Cormac Larkin, the evening concerts at 7pm on Monday 20th, Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd will present some of the biggest stars in Irish jazz in suitably festive form: internationally renowned bassist Ronan Guilfoyle’s Brazilian project, Tudo Bem! (20th); Dublin blues eminence Nigel Mooney’s special Christmas show (21st); and legendary rock guitarist Jimmy Smyth with his Xmas Organised band (22nd).
On this edition I pay tribute to the late great George Mraz one of the great Jazz bassist and composers, whose steady and tasteful playing enriched countless of recordings as a sideman and leader of his own groups.
Read more: Tales from the far Side 02.12.2021 George Mraz Remembered