RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Cormac McCarthy, piano/director
Dana Masters, vocalist

Join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Big Band for a musical exploration of Big Band through the ages, from Basie to Brookmeyer.

Sean Hession – Vocals
Myles Drennan – Piano
Dave Fleming – Double Bass
Tom Dunne – Drums

Standards from the Great American Songbook 

Summer Wind, You are the Sunshine of My Life, Blue Skies, Brazil, Sunny Side of the Street, On a Clear Day and many more.

RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Guy Barker, conductor
Don Wycherley, narrator
Cormac Kenevey and Naomi Banks, vocalists

Inspired by the vibrant musical life of Soho, jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger Guy Barker brings his cinematic flair to Soho Symphony - a piece shaped by the places, people, and ghosts of the storied London district. An Associate Artist with the RTÉ CO, Barker is renowned for his dynamic playing and orchestration, having collaborated with legends such as Sting, Elvis Costello, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones and Van Morrison.

Ella Fitzgerald is probably the most beloved jazz singer of all time, with hits like Manhattan, Summertime, Bewitched and Lady is a Tramp. 

Amassing 13 Grammy Awards and 40 million albums sales over an astounding 60-plus year career, Ella could effortlessly cross over between sultry ballads, intricate jazz arrangements and light pop tunes, and could imitate any instrument of the orchestra. Born in 1917, Ella worked with all the greats including Ellington, Basie, Sinatra, Gillespie, Armstrong (or perhaps we should say they worked with her!) and she packed out venues worldwide during her career, including Dublin’s Adelphi Theatre in 1964 and the Cork Jazz Festival in 1982. Her greatest legacy is probably the Songbook Series, recorded between 1956 and 1981, considered a cornerstone of 20th century recorded popular music, representing some of the finest interpretations of the greater part of the musical canon known as the Great American Songbook.

John Donegan, UK based and originally from Cork, is a modern jazz pianist and composer. His music has been featured on the BBC, Jazz FM, RTE and independent radio stations in UK and Ireland.

Donegan’s major influences have been the likes of Bill Evans, Kenny Barron, Wynton Kelly, Bud Powell, Chic Corea and Keith Jarrett.

Route 66, a fabulous Kildare-based 16-piece Big Band with a difference, are delighted to bring their amazing Live in Concert Show back to the Moat Theatre after a long absence. Their show, which has been a huge success in theatres all over Leinster for the past 10 years, takes audiences on a magical musical tour from the 40’s right up to date with numbers made famous by Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, Tom Jones, Adele, Joe Dolan, Tina Turner and many more, a great mix of music played with a brilliant big band sound and a treat for every age.

‘Seckou Keita can be classed alongside the great Toumani Diabaté as one of the adventurous masters of the kora, the African harp’ – The Guardian 

Seckou Keita from Senegal has been called “the Hendrix of the kora”, the living heart of West African classical music.

He is celebrated for his ingenious tunings and virtuosity and praised as “one of the finest exponents of the kora” also known as the African harp.

Route 66, a 16-piece big band with a difference, are pleased to return to Pavilion Theatre for their sixth visit following last year's successful 25th Anniversary Tour.

Their show takes audiences on a musical journey from the 1940s to the present day, featuring songs made popular by artists such as Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, Joe Dolan, Tina Turner, Van Morrison, Ella Fitzgerald and Adele.

The STORYTELLERS are Antonio Forcione and Cenk Erdoğan. Forcione on acoustic guitar and Erdoğan on fretless guitar.

Antonio Forcione is renowned for his adventurous approach to the guitar, using the instrument in its entirety, both melodically and percussively. Forcione loves to experiment with sounds, timbres and techniques. Often referred to as the “Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar” Forcione is celebrated for his technical brilliance and lightning-fast hands.The Guardian (U.K), in a five-star review, praised him as “one of the great acoustic guitarists.”

Daniel Herskedal tuba / bass trumpet
Helge Lien piano
Helge Andreas Norbakken percussion

Prepare to be transported into the extraordinary soundworld of Norwegian composer and brass virtuoso Daniel Herskedal. A true innovator of the tuba and bass trumpet, Herskedal’s music is cinematic, deeply expressive, and unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Daniel Herskedal tuba / bass trumpet
Helge Lien piano
Helge Andreas Norbakken percussion

Prepare to be transported into the extraordinary soundworld of Norwegian composer and brass virtuoso Daniel Herskedal. A true innovator of the tuba and bass trumpet, Herskedal’s music is cinematic, deeply expressive, and unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Daniel Herskedal tuba / bass trumpet
Helge Lien piano
Helge Andreas Norbakken percussion

Prepare to be transported into the extraordinary soundworld of Norwegian composer and brass virtuoso Daniel Herskedal. A true innovator of the tuba and bass trumpet, Herskedal’s music is cinematic, deeply expressive, and unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Daniel Herskedal tuba / bass trumpet
Helge Lien piano
Helge Andreas Norbakken percussion

Prepare to be transported into the extraordinary soundworld of Norwegian composer and brass virtuoso Daniel Herskedal. A true innovator of the tuba and bass trumpet, Herskedal’s music is cinematic, deeply expressive, and unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Daniel Herskedal tuba / bass trumpet
Helge Lien piano
Helge Andreas Norbakken percussion

Prepare to be transported into the extraordinary soundworld of Norwegian composer and brass virtuoso Daniel Herskedal. A true innovator of the tuba and bass trumpet, Herskedal’s music is cinematic, deeply expressive, and unlike anything you’ve heard before.

"After the Last Sky"

For almost forty years Anouar Brahem has drawn on the traditions of Arab music, while consistently engaging with the wider world, finding inspiration in jazz and different cultures.

Eight years after Blue Maqams (ECM), he returns with a poignant project and album titled after a line of verse by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, which asks “Where should the birds fly, after the last sky?” Graceful chamber pieces for oud, cello, piano and bass subtly address the metaphysical question and its broad resonances in a troubled time.