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.
JAZZ SPEAKS FOR LIFE TO STOP THE WAR ............
The theme of this week's edition of TALES FROM THE FAR SIDE
Music by Dr. Lonnie Smith, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Charles Lloyd+the Marvels, Kip Hanrahan+Conjure, Grant Green, Duck Baker, Emile Parisien, Misha Alperin, Jackie McLean and others.
Read more: Tales from the far Side 16.03.22 Jazz is Life, Jazz is peace, No War
On this edition you can hear some of the greatest Jazz Piano Solos captured on the Blue Note Label over the decades since its foundation. And you can hear music by Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Sonny Clarke, McCoy Tyner, Don Pullen, Renee Rosnes, Bill Charlap and others
Read more: Tales from the far Side 10.03.22 Blue Note Label' s Great Piano Solos
JAZZ IMPROVISATIONS INSPIRED BY THE WATERS OF MARCH....the theme of this week's TALES FROM THE FAR SIDE
Music by AC Jobim, Mark Murphy, Joanne Brackeen, Benny Carter, the SF Jazz Collective, Anat Cohen, Carmell Jones, Ray Anderson and Pocket Brass and many others.
Tune in, tell a friend and be there where good music is..
Read more: Tales from the far Side 03.03.22 Improvisations around the month of March
On this edition I feature Richie Buckley, one of the leading tenor saxophonists in Ireland and far beyond, with a selection of some of his best recordings.
Read more: Tales from the far Side 24.02.22 Richie Buckley A "true" Irish Tenor
Missing due to Covid for the past two years, the festival returns for its 21st edition on April 29th, 30th and May 1st - with legendary American guitarist Bill Frisell set to make a welcome return to Ireland as the opening night headliner, at Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray.
Alongside Frisell on the headlining bill are one of the stars of the contemporary UK jazz scene, trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, who brings her quartet to Bray on Saturday, April 30th, while on May 1st it's the turn of Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen, who is set to release his newest album on the ECM label next month, to play the festival's main stage at Mermaid.
“I want these songs to get people out of bed in the morning. Seed starts gentle, and joyful, to wake you up while you make your coffee. By the time you’ve reached the end of Bloom the whole band is in full ecstatic mode, cheering you on so you’re ready to go out to face the day.”
- Riona Sally Hartman
Read more: New music from Ríona Sally Hartman entitled SEED & BLOOM
On this edition I'ld like to pay tribute to trombonist SLIDE HAMPTON who sadly died last November but who thankfully left us a huge treasure trove of his music.
Always remembered SLIDE !!!!!
Read more: Tales from the far Side 17.02.22 Remember Slide Hampton