THE 14th edition of Limerick Jazz Festival promises to deliver exceptional performances across the city from September 24-28, featuring internationally acclaimed artists and emerging talent in intimate venues. Here are some of the artists performing on Wednesday to Friday of next week.
Wednesday September 24
Memphis jazz vocalist Deborah Swiney, hailed as Tennessee’s “Sarah Vaughan of the South”, makes her festival debut alongside Ireland’s leading jazz guitarist Nigel Mooney and his trio at Dolan’s Upstairs (8:30pm, €18).
Swiney, who contributed backing vocals for Al Green and collaborated with musicians from Isaac Hayes’ and Aretha Franklin’s bands, brings her Southern jazz pedigree to Limerick alongside Mooney’s celebrated hard-bop guitar style.
Thursday September 25
A compelling double bill features award-winning Dublin vocalist Emilie Conway with her innovative trio, followed by the high-energy jazz fusion quartet Magical Dog at Dolan’s Upstairs (€20). Conway, recognised by the United Nations for her International Jazz Day contributions and commissioned by New York’s 92nd Street Y, presents her multifaceted approach combining original compositions with spoken word. Magical Dog, named after a Jan Hammer composition, delivers the raw driving grooves of classic jazz fusion.
Friday September 26
The festival continues with the Julian Siegel Quartet at Dolan’s Upstairs (9:30pm, €20), featuring the BBC Jazz Award-winning saxophonist and composer with his London Jazz Award-winning ensemble. Following their acclaimed albums “Urban Theme Park” and “VISTA”, the quartet promises an evening of varied sound worlds from undercurrents of bop to searching ballads.