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Event Description
The Sofa Sessions at Billy Byrne's presents Darragh Hennessy Trio
9pm / No Cover Charge
Julien Colarossi - guitar
Darragh Hennessy - organ
Gonzalo Del Val - drums
The Sofa Sessions is delighted to present rising Dublin organist and band leader Darragh Hennessy, with a powerful international trio featuring taltnted Italian guitarist Julien Colarossi and a welcome return to Kilkenny by acclaimed Barcelona drummer Gonzalo del Val. Darragh Hennessy has been in huge demand over the last few years as a sideman on the Dublin jazz scene, playing with singer Mary Coughlan and guitarist Jimmy Smyth, but with this new project he takes on the role of leader/composer. Darragh has just released an excellent debut album 'Duchenne Smile, recorded in Dublin with Julien and Gonzalo. We're thrilled that he brings this high-level trio to Billy Byrnes for what promises to be a night of hard-swinging original tunes, written by Darragh specifically for this line-up, reminiscent of Blue Note era organ players such as Jimmy Smith and more contemporary players like Larry Goldings.
About Darragh Hennessy
Darragh Hennessy started playing piano at an early age, but it wasn’t until he was a teenager and discovered the music of classic rock bands like The Doors and Pink Floyd that he began to find his passion for music. From here he began exploring the world of jazz and subsequently went on to complete a BA in Jazz at Newpark Music Centre. Since completing his studies, Darragh has become one of the most in-demand jazz pianists in the Dublin scene, playing with people such as Jimmy Smyth, John Moriarty and Mary Coughlan. He can be heard regularly performing in venues around Dublin as well as in music festivals around Ireland, and he has performed aboard in cities such as Chicago, New York and Barcelona. Aside from piano, Darragh is also a highly sought-after jazz organist, having studied jazz organ with some of the best players of the instrument in New York.
About Julien Colarossi
Guitarist Julien Colarossi was born in Settefrati, Italy and moved to Ireland in 2007 to pursue his musical career. After obtaining a BA in Jazz Performance from the prestigious Newpark Music Centre jazz course (now DCU), in 2011 Julien went off to become one of the most exciting young guitarists to emerge in recent years on the Irish Jazz scene. He has recorded, written, arranged, produced and collaborated on more than 20 albums, played all the major jazz festivals in the country and has been a part of many different original projects, including his on-going collaboration with Cork vocalist Gemma Sugrue.
About Gonzalo del Val
Born in Miranda de Ebro, Burgos, Gonzalo del Val began his musical studies at the young age of 7 years old at the Municipal Conservatorium of Miranda of Ebro. Then relocated to Madrid where he studied drums with Guillermo McGill and composition-arrangements with Ramón Paus for two years.Later on, he received a scholarship to study at Conservatori del Liceu in Barcelona, where he obtained a Bachelors degree under the direction of musician Marc Miralta.
Gonzalo del Val’s final thesis; entitled “Seis Cuentos Musicales” received the highest marks of excellence. His work based on original compositions was inspired by the work of French filmmaker ‘Eric Rohmer’. He has also studied at Conservatori del Liceu in Barcelona under talented teachers such us Aldo Caviglia and renowned American drummer Ed Soph.
In 2009 Gonzalo was awarded a Youth Excellence scholarship to study at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York, under the instruction of Professor John Riley. While studying in New York, Gonzalo also received classes under the instruction of drummer Adam Nussbaum.
That same year, French magazine ‘SOJAZZ’ included a review of Gonzalo’s album in a section esteeming his talent as “… one of the best representatives of the Spanish contemporary scene …”
Location of event
Venue Information - Billy Byrnes
Billy Byrnes is a family run tradional Irish bar and first opened its doors in 1954. We are centrally located in Kilkenny City, just around the corner from the train and bus station.