THIS Sunday November 17, Limerick Jazz will host Young Irish Jazz Musician 2024 at the University Concert Hall. This event will spotlight the best of young jazz talent from all over Ireland. The musicians taking part are aged from 18 to 23 and are from counties Antrim, Carlow, Cork and Sligo. The judging panel is once again led by Limerick’s own Bill Whelan.
The event, hosted by Limerick Jazz, showcases Ireland’s most promising jazz talent, with five finalists performing alongside a professional house band.
Young Irish Jazz Musician, now in its third year, highlights emerging talent from across the island. Pianist Nils Kavanagh, the award’s inaugural recipient in 2022, has since toured nationally and held the Young Artist in Residence title at the 2023 Sligo Jazz Festival.
This year’s finalists, aged 18 to 23 and representing Antrim, Carlow, Cork, and Sligo, will perform on piano, guitar, clarinet, and voice.
Limerick’s own Bill Whelan, internationally acclaimed musician and composer, will serve as adjudicator once again. The winner will be invited to perform at the renowned Limerick Jazz Festival and will receive a €1,000 bursary to support career development through further study, performance, or recording.
Nils Kavanagh reflected on his 2022 win, saying, “The award has been instrumental in advancing my career, enabling me to accomplish things I couldn’t have otherwise achieved at this stage.”
John Daly, Chair of Limerick Jazz, expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are thrilled to continue this initiative, which supports the next generation of jazz musicians and reflects our long-standing commitment to jazz education. It’s fantastic to once again have Bill’s support.”
Founded in 1982, Limerick Jazz Society is Ireland’s oldest jazz society, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2012 with the launch of the Limerick Jazz Festival. In addition to its regular concert seasons, Limerick Jazz offers educational programs through the Limerick Jazz Workshop, Ireland’s only jazz workshop outside Dublin.
