KNOWN as a hot ticket over years, the end of year Jazz Improvisation gig on Wednesday 9 is essential sampling in the Yuletide calendar.
Taking place in Dolan’s Upstairs, anticipate a suite of ensembles playing off in organised streams from 8pm, with vocalists. Meet these accomplished musicians who engage in master workshops year around to learn the complicated art of playing jazz in a band.
Ed Hansom of Limerick Jazz Society is the man behind the drive. A saxophonist himself, he leads in with jazz artists such as Steve Hanks, John Daly, Joe O’Callaghan and Peter Hanagan at the weekly classes in LIT, Moylish.
“We are now celebrating our eighth year and it is great to see that we are still attracting new students who want to develop their musical skill,” observes Hansom. “Just this semester we had seven people attend for the first time. Performance is an integral part of how they learn and it’s great to do this in a very friendly and supportive environment.”
From ages 10 to mature middle age (!), this hardworking corps now celebrates and showcases 2015’s ambition in concert.
It was here (pictured) that guitar prodigy Andreas Varady got his first break and a respectful platform.
Now 18 years old, Varady has recorded a first album ‘Come Together’, produced by Quincy Jones and David Foster, and is touring worldwide to open for George Benson.
So, with finds like this immigrant talent known to blossom, perhaps it is time to tour this Dock Road venue to appreciate Limerick Jazz’s electric harmonies and purposeful dissonance.
€5 only, with finger food; juniors on first at 8pm.
