By Rose Rushe
“THIS is our first tour and this is the first outing for this line up of the Modern Irish Quartet,” observes John Daly, percussionist with said outfit. He references next Monday 13’s night at Granary Library, Michael Street which thanks to Limerick City and County Council, will have doors thrown open wide to the public.
As chairman of Limerick Jazz – damn near 35 years a growing – and a gifted player on drums and vibes, Daly’s gig should be well worth attending. The Modern Irish Quartet for 2015 sees saxophonist Richie Buckley replacing Phil Ware; Daly, Tony Miceli on vibraphone and Dave Redmond, bass, make up the set. Top names, top ranking nationally and indeed, each is of international note.
Standards will be quaver-high for Granary Library sounds, given the ilk with which Limerick Jazz deals monthly. Wednesday 8th this week saw the men host a stunning, vibrant gig with Paul Dunlea’s seven strong group combining brass with guitar, drums and terrific piano work. So anticipate beautiful music and no typical programme either.
From the Quartet’s rehearsal at JJ Smyths in Dublin before a tour of Belfast, Ballina, Wexford and other parts, John Daly reports “We are going to play Irish tunes such as ‘Danny Boy’ and ‘I’ll Take you Home again, Kathleen’, Denis Carey’s ‘Ó Dheas’, new compositions by Richie and Tony, and of course, Jazz standards. We are looking at folk tunes from Ireland and around the world, from Taiwan, from Cuba”.
Integral to the joy of live jazz ensemble is how players weave harmony, riffs, solo, orchestral soars and dives and ego into the ‘toon’ and challenge expectations. Look forward to happy competition between these solid, respectful professionals who are mighty buddies and dark magic when lit with music.
Doors 8pm; expect a crush.
