Mo O'Connor & Ian Date

About this event

We had a wonderful concert series upstairs in Merry’s last year under the auspices of the Dungarvan singers Club.

Now for the New Year, we are starting as we mean to continue and keeping up our amazingly high standards.

Ian Date, though Australian-born, has been based in Cork City for many years and is widely acclaimed as one of the most accomplished Jazz guitarists in the whole country. He also sings brilliantly and plays the cornet to perfection. He is funny and could be a stand-up comedian just as easily as being a superb musician. He is that benchmark of show business – an all-round entertainer.

As indeed is his partner for this concert, the legendary Mo O’Connor. Mo has been playing music professionally his whole life both in this area where he comes from and also in the extremely competitive United States.

Mo O'Connor has played a wide variety of music over the years, fifteen of those in the USA in a wide variety of genres. He is a former member of Loudest Whisper and Noel Redding band. In the traditional Irish world he has toured with the likes of Liz Doherty and Seamus Tansey. In the jazz world he was a member of Anita Williams and Rouge, the Big Band Tuxedo Junction, Cafe Jazz outfit Perfida. He has performed in venues from Brazil to Russia. He also has a blues band called The Motones who play around the country. Having completed the Bmus honours degree in UCC in 2016 he is involved with former classmates in various original music projects.

Mo has been a former special guest at the Dungarvan Singers Club on a few occasions on all of which he has played up a storm and gone down hugely with our appreciative audience. And why wouldn’t he be popular? He appeals to every taste. He plays guitar, piano, keyboard, fiddle, accordion, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, dobro (the dobro is a splendid instrument and very rarely played.) He is a multi-instrumentalist par excellence. He plays blues, jazz, classical, bluegrass, country, folk, traditional, Cajun, …. We were at a trad. session one time and a guy came up and said “By any chance, would you know any Al Jolson? I suppose that’s unlikely!” And Mo immediately without any warning or preparation sings a medley of ten, not just one, f Al Jolsons hits!!

The guy can play and sing anything. Just try him with your favourite request. He does George Jones better than anyone else, also Paul Brady, Elvis, Mississippi John Hurt, Merle Haggard, Maggie Barry, Django Reinhardt, Robert Johnson, Segovia, Jerry Lee Lewis.

You name it. He’s got it!
So you are guaranteed a wonderful treat when you come to hear Mo O’Connor open this great first concert of 2020.

Most of you older folks will know Mo if only by reputation. He really is a legend of music in Southern Ireland. There is nowhere around Cork City and County and West Waterford that he hasn’t played on many many memorable occasions.

The second part of the concert will feature Ian Date. As I said though an Aussie he’s been working extensively in the Cork City area and farther afield for many years and has established a great reputation. He is one of the greatest exponents of the famous gypsy jazz style popularised by the amazing Django Reinhardt in the 30’s and 40’s. Ian has a simply astonishing technique and wonderful fluency and musicianship. He also sings, and has a preference for the old comic and novelty jazz songs like those sung by Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith and later by George Melly, Leon Redbone, Louis Prima, and Cab Calloway.
He also …. Yes, there’s more…. plays cornet, again in that old Louis Armstrong, King Oliver and Bix Beiderbecke style.

He also is extremely funny and loves telling jokes and making witty remarks. He is sure to keep you entertained. You’ll be laughing and also transported by really fabulous music. Ian and Mo share a gift for comedy and great presentation. They are both extremely gifted musicians, warm-hearted passionate singers and superb comedians. They will win your hearts instantly on the night. So don’t hesitate. Book now by texting 087 0640542. Or chance your arm by turning up on the night. We’ll fit you in if we can at all. Tickets will be €10 – only; so it’s a bargain. A two-for-one-deal! You’ll be delighted you came.

This is a very rare treat for Dungarvan to have two such Maestros on a double bill. And even more in the most beautiful and also the most intimate and atmospheric venue in town. The upstairs Room in Merry’s. this really is a gorgeous room and is the ideal venue for any attentive appreciative and listening audience. Thanks again to Emilene and all her brilliant staff for the marvellous welcome we receive there.

So don’t forget to remember not to forget to remember our wonderful first concert for 2020.
Be there or be square!

TUESDAY JAN. 14TH – 8PM Sharp!
ADMISSION €10 – Payable on Door
To book TEXT 087 0640542