Event Description

Verneri Pohjola Quartet (Finland)

A series of stand-out albums over the past decade have marked Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola out as one of the major new talents in contemporary Scandinavian jazz.

A dazzling player with a commanding individual sound, his compositions are strong and bold and find hooky melodies that stick in your mind.

Born into a Finnish musical dynasty, Verneri Pohjola’s grandfather and uncle were both respected conductors, while his father came to international prominence as a member of Finnish 70s prog rock group Wigwam, and performed in the bands of Mike Oldfield, amongst others.

Verneri first came to prominence as leader of the award-winning Ilmiliekki Quartet. He was named ‘Musician of the Year’ at the Pori Jazz Festival 20 years ago, his 2015 release ‘Bullhorn’ which was name by Jazzwise Magazine as ‘among the truly finest jazz albums of recent times.’

A distinctive trumpeter with a rounded, breathy tone, Pohjola’s solo’s soar, and bring a seering clarity to his music. His quartet include major players in Finnish jazz, including Olavi Louhivuori on drums, pianist Tuomo Prättälä and bass player Antti Lötjönen.

A standout player with a melodic gift. – The Financial Times

Francesco Turrisi Trio

Grammy Award winning pianist and multi -instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi is a musical polymath who has played baroque operas with ensemble L’Arpeggiata, toured with The Silk Road ensemble, interpreted the music of Steve Reich, and accompanied flamenco star Pepe El Habichuela.

Since 2018, he has collaborated with singer and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, and won a 2022 Grammy Award in the best folk album category for their duo album ‘They’re Calling Me Home.’

Francesco Turrisi has released five critically acclaimed albums as a leader, and two as co-leader – of “Tarab,” a cross boundary innovative ensemble that blends Irish and Mediterranean traditional music, and “Zahr” a project that looks at connections between southern Italian traditional music and Arabic music.

His latest piano solo album “Northern Migrations” was described as “delicate, wistful and wholly engrossing” by the Irish Times.

Location of event

Venue Information - The Mermaid Arts Centre

Since their launch in August 2002, Mermaid Arts Centre has made a splash in the artistic and cultural life of County Wicklow. Presenting an ambitious programme of performances including innovative dance, spellbinding theatre, cutting edge music and art-house cinema.