Superumbra

About this event

The Sofa Sessions, in association with Kilkenny Arts Festival, presents Chris Guilfoyle’s SUPERUMBRA

10pm - 12pm / €20

Special guests

Theo Bleckmann - voice

Nils Wogram - trombone

John O'Gallagher - saxophone

Umbra

Sam Comerford - saxophone

Chris Engel - saxophone

Chris Guilfoyle - guitar

Barry Donohue - bass

Matthew Jacobson - drums

In partnership with Kilkenny Arts Festival, the Sofa Sessions is proud to present Superumbra, an exciting new ensemble of leading national and international jazz stars. Dublin guitarist Chris Guilfoyle - one of the break out stars of the burgeoning Irish jazz scene - augments his superb Umbra quintet with three major names from the international scene: trailblazing Berlin vocalist Theo Bleckmann, adventurous German trombonist Nils Wogram and respected New York saxophonist John O’Gallagher.

Superumbra

Chris Guilfoyle’s Umbra quintet have been described as ‘arguably one of the most exciting jazz ensembles in Europe' by the Irish Times. Comprised of some of the most in-demand musicians on the Irish jazz scene, Umbra's modus operandi is high energy, thought provoking performance with an emphasis on intricate compositions.

Led by guitarist and composer Chris Guilfoyle, Umbra is his vehicle to showcase his unique take on contemporary jazz. The music is a blend of harmonic and melodic sophistication reminiscent of artists like John Hollenbeck and Jim Mcneely, cyclical grooves evoking comparisons with IDM and math metal, all played with the energy of a punk rock band.

Each member’s individual strengths are showcased in the compositions while at the same time blending masterfully into a cohesive and recognisable group sound. Drummer Matt Jacobson and bassist Barry Donohue lay down wonderfully elastic grooves, while the contrasting horns of soprano Chris Engel and tenor Sam Comerford make the most of the explosive front line in the company of Chris Guilfoyle's intricate guitar playing.

Occasionally, Chris augments the band’s line-up with visiting musicians, becoming Superumbra, bringing his superb compositions to another level. The last time Superumbra assembled, in the Sugar Club in Dublin in 2016, critics raved about the group’s incredible energy and excitement.

What the critics say

“Chris Guilfoyle is one of the most talented of the new generation of Irish jazz musicians, inheritor of an illustrious lineage of guitarists that stretches back to Louis Stewart”

The Irish Times

“[Theo Bleckmann is] a virtuosic voice-artist along the intersections of pop music and performance, jazz and improvisation, new music and film score”

Die Zeit

"Mr. O'Gallagher is an exploratory alto saxophonist with a clear melodic streak"

- The New York Times

About Chris Guilfoyle

Chris Guilfoyle is one of the leading lights of a new generation of Irish jazz musicians. He grew up in a musical family where his father Ronan Guilfoyle and uncle Conor Guilfoyle are household names in the Irish jazz scene. He has studied at Berklee College of Music - where he was awarded a scholarship from Fender Guitars and the Jazz and Improvised Music Salzburg conference in Austria. Chris was also selected to represent his college at the International Association of Schools of Jazz in The Netherlands in July 2010.

In August 2011, Chris was accepted to study at Dave Liebman’s Chromatic Harmony Workshop in Stroudsburg Pennsylvania, USA. Since graduating, Chris has been actively performing in the Dublin music scene as well as abroad. In November 2011 he performed in Paris with Ronan Guilfoyle’s Lingua Franca as part of the Festival Jazzy Colours; in October 2011 he performed on a 3 day tour of Ireland with Dave Liebman, Ronan Guilfoyle and Finnish drummer Jussi Lehtonen; In March 2011 he performed with the great drummer Ralph Peterson in Dublin and in February 2011 he played with Greek pianist/organist George Contrafouris at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.

Chris also leads his own group Umbra, a quintet featuring some of the most promising musicians in the country who play all original compositions and Oxygen Thief, a new project aiming to expand the vocabulary of the jazz guitar trio. He also plays as a sideman in 3G (Ronan Guilfoyle, Conor Guilfoyle, Chris Guilfoyle), Kevin Higgins’ Nature, Aleka and The Long Way Around. Chris also produces electronic music under the name Exit Introvert. Currently, Chris is part of the guitar and ensemble faculty of DCU’s jazz performance degree where he teaches 1st, 2nd and 3rd year guitar as well as 2nd and 3rd year ensembles.