Brian Irvine Ensemble

About this event

This visceral, boundary busting 13 piece ensemble makes a special type of music - a music that effortlessly mutates elements of contemporary classical, improvisation, theatre, thrash, cartoonary and ensemble playing in manner that screams irreverence, joy and virtuosity!

Think a mutant cocktail of Zappa and Icebreaker, Han Bennink and the Instant Composers Pool, with a heavy dollop of Beefheart, Ornette Coleman and John Zorn. They have performed all over the world to widespread critical acclaim headlining at some of the worlds leading festivals including the Bath International Jazz Festival and The National Library of Congress (Washington), picking up the prestigious Radio 3 Jazz Award along the way.

After a 6-year break, the ensemble reformed in 2018 for Belfast’s Brilliant Corners festival, premiering a new commission ‘Not Gods But Animals’, marking the beginning of a reinvented era for the group. 2019 will see the band take another step forward with more brand new work alongside some older repertoire. This is a rare opportunity to hear a band that truly “scares the bejabers out of the diehards” (Sunday Times). Truly, not to be missed!

"The Brian Irvine Ensemble isn't an orchestra, really. It's more of a traveling explosion -- a kinetic, freewheeling circus where the musicians dance, blow bubbles, cluck at one another like chickens, fall over "drunk" and watch imaginary notes float through the air, all while making some of the most exhilarating and imaginative music you'll ever hope to hear"

Washington Post

"Brian Irvine’s body of work is an example of the musical treasures half hidden in the cracks between the categories”

The Guardian

Part of a Moving On Music tour jointly supported by the Arts Council of NI and Arts Council Ireland.