THAT Limerick Jazz Society is forging on with a programme of top New York based names, fusing with Irish talent, is testament to formidable will. For the first time in 20 years, The Arts Council has pulled funding. Not for Arts page to say “inexplicably” as the jazz committee is seeking explanation in writing from the assessors; clearly, the Limerick committee behind three decades of bringing top Irish and international acts here needs to know the given whys and wherefores..
Let music aficionados rest easy on one score, there are four big nights pending. On February 10, New York based saxophonist/ writer Seamus Blake will play with legendary guitarist Tommy Halferty and his trio in The Kasbah.
On March 9, alto and baritone sax player/ composer Tim Berne – also New York – will tour to Dolan’s Upstairs with Irish improvisors OKO. Next, on April 6 composer and guitar genius Joe O’Callaghan teams with Japanese pianist/ educator Izumi KImura for another Dolan’s gig under the duo’s title, Sankhara.
The final show of spring 2016 will fall to May, when Ed Hansom (sax primarily) will lead his Jazz Workshop musicians to their end of term party from workshops at the Learning Hub, Kileely. Look to Mick Dolan to host a sensational night of ensemble playing Upstairs on the Dock Road, each rockin’ group led by veteran hots Steve Hanks, Bryan Meehan, John Daly and Joe O’Callaghan. Andreas Varady climbed off his guitar tour with George Benson to serve his former mentors at Christmas past. Hot food on the house for this unique bi-annual concert that drives fast.
Talking to the head of Limerick Jazz Society, John Daly – himself a percussionist and founder of September’s annual festival – he’s down but not out about the fall.
“Arts Council funding was pulled from the Sligo Jazz Project also, which has been running for the last 10 years. That’s a week of learning workshops with professional international artists which will go ahead this year, albeit through reduced fees,” reports Daly. “What has happened to us, as well as Sligo and cuts at RTE lyric fm to ‘Jazz Alley’ and Eamonn Lenihan from ‘Blue of the Night’, is a major blow to music culture.
“The whole west coast has been killed off”.
Their own Arts Council grants dropped from a high of €12-€14,000 in 2012, the first year of Limerick Jazz Festival, to €6-€7,000 last year. Down to nil for 2016. Talks are in progress with Limerick Arts officer Sheila Deegan on what our (visionary) local council can do.
More anon on the springback by this tight committee comprised of John Daly, Robert Hernan, Ed Hansom, Gerry Kirby, Deirdre Wilson, Tony Bradley and Giuseppe Torre for jazz assured from February to May. Nil desperandum. The show goes on.
