by Rose Rushe
British saxophonist Julian Siegel is this year’s artist in residence, and booked for three events, workshop included
CONFIRMING that Van Morrison at the thousand-seater concert hall sold out in two hours at €84 a ticket, Limerick Jazz Festival 2014 chairman John Daly has much to jump and shout about. It has taken three years’ graft on the part of Limerick Jazz Society to get this festival, September 25-28, to such a level, attracting fellow Grammy winner David Sanborn on Saturday 27, saxophonists Julian Siegel and Richie Buckley and a starry cloud of soloists, vocalists and big bands.
City of Culture funding at €30,000 was a help but a lot of €€€€€€ is required in the light of international and especially, USA bookings. The law of contract mints money.
“The thing is, like any other jazz festival you have to bring credibility to the table, and that takes a while. Cork Jazz Festival is testimony to that,” a satisfied John Daly tells Limerick Post. “Somebody such as Joey DeFrancesco who is playing with Sanborn has played Cork twice, played Dublin, they know Ireland. If we contact them, they are going to get on the phone to reference the invitation”.
Flights, accommodation, the specific riders of star musicians – food, drink, other requirements – and first payment are required in writing. “The admin is a big part of it, and I could do with a PA, believe me,” chuckles Daly. “This is a special year for Limerick and we had to make it special too”.
A percussionist and teacher, this festival chairman is thrilled to have booked Dublin City Jazz Orchestra for 69 O’Connell St on Friday September 26. “They are a fantastic big band playing with Peter Churchill, a huge pianist, director, arranger who has created ‘The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington’.
“Singers Tina May and Cleavland Watkiss, very well known on the circuit, join them. There’s a tap dancer and Ancór choir. Limerick is the only place Dublin Jazz Orchestra is doing this concert in Ireland’.
His own gig is with Crisis Point Big Band featuring Julian Siegal and Buckley on sax, Keith McDonald and Conor J Ryan on vocals. It takes place at Clarion Hotel’s glass Pegasus Room to close the festival on Sunday 28.
“Galway Youth Jazz Orchestra will open the concert at 2pm and Crisis Point begin at 3pm, playing on for three hours. What a way to see out the festival for us, bringing together musicians from all around the country – it is going to be a great show. Roll on 6pm that day!!!” Bookings and programme notes on
www.limerickjazzfestival.com
