Critically acclaimed Dublin jazz-folk singer and songwriter Sue Rynhart is set to launch her latest album, Say Pluto, with a highly anticipated live performance at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin on October 27th. This new release, inspired by Gothic tales and featuring collaborations with award-winning Welsh jazz pianist Huw Warren and double bassist Dan Bodwell, marks an exciting exploration of folk influences within Rynhart’s well-established jazz roots.
Say Pluto is the third album from Rynhart, whose debut Crossings earned a nomination for Best Jazz Album of the Year in 2014 and brought her wide recognition across Ireland’s jazz community. Moving in a new direction, Say Pluto integrates haunting themes inspired by Gothic literature—hauntings, isolation, renewal, and empowerment. Rynhart elaborated on her inspiration, revealing that much of the album's creative foundation emerged during her artist residency at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris:
“During the residency, I developed a deep fascination for Gothic short stories. These narratives became a foundational inspiration for my music, allowing me to explore themes of hauntings, witches, isolation, renewal, and empowerment. I have approached these classic tales with a contemporary twist, weaving in themes of gender, nature, and the art of music.”
The album, recorded at Fieldgate Studios in Penarth, Wales, introduces fresh compositions by Rynhart, including the single “ELM” and the ethereal track “Educate.” Rynhart also revisits traditional folk with her unique style, offering new arrangements of folk laments such as Long Years Ago and Lowlands, blending these timeless stories with contemporary jazz-folk influences.
Rynhart’s collaboration with Huw Warren on this project brings a distinctive musical dynamic, creating a tapestry of jazz improvisation, classical techniques, and folk sensibilities. Warren, known for his work with June Tabor & Ian Ballamy in the Quercus trio under the ECM label, praised the freedom of collaboration on Say Pluto:
“Collaborating with Sue on this album has been an absolute pleasure. Her distinct vocal style and compositions reflect a wide musical palette, and the resulting performances have the intuitive freedom of jazz whilst referencing the language of classical music, folk music, and singer-songwriters. I think listeners will find this mix interesting and inspiring.”
The Hugh Lane Gallery concert will offer fans a chance to experience Say Pluto live, with Rynhart, Warren, and Bodwell performing together at 12 pm on October 27th. Tickets are available through the Hugh Lane Gallery’s website. As a preview, Rynhart has already released the album’s first single, Elm, now streaming on all major platforms.
Rynhart’s career reflects a remarkable evolution in Irish jazz, and Say Pluto promises to be a stunning addition to her discography. Her past albums, Crossings and Signals, received critical acclaim in Ireland and internationally, with features across The Irish Times, BBC, All About Jazz, Folk Radio UK, and Salt Peanuts. Rynhart has also performed at prestigious venues and festivals, from the EFG London Jazz Festival to the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
