Down With Jazz 2016 Day 2

About this event

Snowpoet

“Lauren Kinsella’s vocals reach far beyond the conventional, and she deftly adapts her literary sources to suit the music.” -The Irish Times

London-based group Snowpoet, led by award-winning Irish vocalist Lauren Kinsella and coveted bassist Chris hyson was born out of a musical friendship and understanding, combining melody and poetry in an improvisational effort inspired by artists such as Bjork, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits and Ólöf Arnalds, as well as poets Sylvia Plath, W.B. Yeats, John Cage and Philip Larkin. Heavily influenced by alternative folk and indie genres, Snowpoet seek out new ways of storytelling through melody harmony and rhythm, exploring the beauty of the song form in all its complexity. With a core composed of the paired songwriting skills Chris Hyson and Lauren Kinsella, the duo lead a malleable live set-up which includes Nick Costley-White on guitar, Matt Robinson on keys, Dave Hamblett on drums and Josh Arcoleo, whose portfolio includes work with Joss Stone and Ghostpoet, on saxophone.
 

Mattew Halpin’s Last Chance Dance    

Last Chance Dance is a trio project recently founded by the Irish saxophonist Matthew Halpin and two of Cologne's most in demand jazz musicians, upright bassist David Helm and drummer Fabian Arends. Their debut album of the same name was recorded in October of 2015 and is currently in production to be released in summer 2016. The group's repertoire reflects not only their musical tastes but more importantly their shared appreciation for traditional jazz music and its storytelling potential, as mastered by musicians like Sonny Rollins. Their clear, energetic and playful way of interpreting music gives a new glow even to the most heard jazz standard, inviting the audience to lean back and witness pure spontaneity, wordless understanding and expressive musicianship.

Zaska

“A musically adventurous and highly addictive offering, packed tight with dazzling displays of funk.”–Goldenplec

As a 90’s child of Bavarian descent growing up in Wicklow, ZASKA seems to have come from a different place and era altogether. His unique stage identity of Guitarist + Frontman paired with his off-stage Composition + Arrangement talents has made him a complete musical anomaly in the Irish scene. Having completed a B.A. in Jazz Performance in Newpark Music Centre, he has found a way of channelling complex and unconventional composition techniques through a feel good blend of Future Soul, Hip Hop and Funk reminiscent of Hiatus Kaiyote, D’angelo and Tune Yards. Former members boast a rich catalogue of some of Ireland finest talent including Andrew Hozier Byrne (Hozier), Karen Cowley (Wyvern Lingo) and Dylan Lynch (Little Green Cars). With an entertainer’s soul fuelled by a supernova of raw energy backed by an 8-piece supergroup of Dublin’s most in demand professional musicians, Zaska’s famous live shows are a force to be reckoned with. With complete success on his first two EPs, Zaska is putting the finishing touches to his “Got To Go” single with the launch booked for April 2016 in the Sugar Club.

Richey Buckley Quintet

“something of a genius…[with] a world reputation amongst saxophonists”-The Irish Times

With his unique style and virtuosic technique, Richie Buckley is internationally recognised as one of Ireland’s leading jazz performers. He has collaborated with musicians as diverse as Van Morrison, Freddie Hubbard, Bob Dylan, Georgie Fame, Jon Hendricks, Carlos Santana, Barry Manilow, Elvis Costello and James Williams.
Buckley's latest quintet project features some of Ireland's leading musicians with Paul Moore (Bass), Phil Ware (Piano), John Moriarty (Guitar) and Kevin Brady (Drums).