November 19th, 2024 – Last Sunday evening, 17-year-old pianist Rory Conneally from Sligo was awarded the prestigious title of Young Irish Jazz Musician 2024.
The competition reached its thrilling finale at the University Concert Hall, Limerick, where five outstanding finalists delivered stunning performances to a live audience and a panel of judges led by composer Bill Whelan. Each finalist had the unique opportunity to perform alongside a professional house band, adding an extra layer of excitement and professionalism to the event. This year's final was an absolute success, showcasing a truly impressive caliber of talent. The decision was incredibly challenging for the judges due to the high quality of each performance.
The Young Irish Jazz Musician competition is a showcase for the finest emerging jazz talent across the island of Ireland. The finalists were carefully selected through a rigorous application process, where submitted recordings were evaluated to choose the top five. This year’s exceptional finalists were:
- Rory Conneally (Piano) from Sligo
- Aoife Whelan (Voice) from Carlow
- Giulia Marro (Clarinet) from Antrim
- Conor McNeill (Guitar) from Cork
- Thomas O’Donovan (Piano) from Antrim
Rory’s playing style reflects a broad spectrum of soul and jazz influences, from Stevie Wonder to Herbie Hancock. He regularly performs with his own group, The Honey Trio, and with the Sligo Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra, and he has participated in the Sligo Jazz Project Summer School.
As the Young Irish Jazz Musician 2024, Rory will be invited to perform at the internationally renowned Limerick Jazz Festival and will receive a bursary of €1,000 to support his musical development, whether through further study, performance opportunities, or recording projects.
The evening also featured a special performance by the 2022 winner, Nils Kavanagh, who is currently a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician 2024. This high-profile event will take place next Saturday at London’s Southbank Centre and will be broadcast on BBC Four at 9 pm on Sunday.
John Daly, Chair of Limerick Jazz, shared his enthusiasm:
“Limerick Jazz is very excited to continue this great initiative for our up-and-coming generation of jazz musicians. It is a natural extension of our long-standing commitment to jazz education.”
The Limerick Jazz Society, Ireland's longest continually active jazz society, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012 with the first Limerick Jazz Festival. The Society hosts regular spring and autumn concerts featuring top international and Irish performers. Since 2007, it has also run jazz education programs through the Limerick Jazz Workshop, the only regular jazz workshop in Ireland outside Dublin. The Limerick Jazz Society is a registered charity, supported by the Arts Council and Limerick City and County Council.
The Young Irish Jazz Musician competition takes place every second year. For more information on our programs and events, visit www.limerickjazz.com or call John Daly on 087-4149441.
