The Carole Nelson Trio
At a glance
About this event
Carole Nelson Trio’s elegant, lyrical jazz reflects nature’s beauty and fragility in a powerful, emotionally rich musical journey
Led by acclaimed pianist and composer Carole Nelson, with Cormac O'Brien on bass and Dominic Mullen on drums, the trio are delighted to be launching their fourth album, Through the Storm. The music paints an emotive picture of nature’s resilience and fragility through the stories of two bird species- the swallow’s migratory journey and the now-extinct kauai’ o’o, continuing Carole’s engagement and concern for the natural world and our place in it. This is elegant, lyrical music, both timeless and of the moment.
“One of the most arresting piano trios in the UK and Ireland” All About Jazz Magazine
Miles Davis once said, “Sometimes you have to play a long time to sound like yourself.” For Carole Nelson, arriving late to the jazz spotlight became an advantage, bringing with it the wisdom of age and experience. A lifelong musician—from Brixton's punk and reggae scene in the '70s to her success with pop-jazz duo Zrazy—Carole didn’t step forward as a trio leader until later in life. Encouraged by Dublin jazz promoter Allen Smith in 2015, she formed a trio for what was meant to be a one-off concert. Instead, the collaboration with bassist Cormac O’Brien and drummer Dominic Mullen blossomed into a lasting, evolving musical partnership defined by shared growth, openness, and a unique collective voice.
More than just technically excellent, their music is infused with Carole’s deep social and environmental convictions. Their debut album One Day in Winter reflected her rural life in the Blackstairs Mountains, while Arboreal and Night Vision explored ecological themes and the urgency of environmental awareness. Now, with Through the Storm, the trio reaches new heights—melding heartfelt activism with a distinct, mature sound. Their work is a poignant reminder of music’s power to reflect the world around us and our connection to the fragile, shared beauty of life on Earth.
- Cormac Larkin, former jazz critic at the Irish Times.
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Location
39 John Street Lower
Venue details
Billy Byrnes is a family run tradional Irish bar and first opened its doors in 1954. We are centrally located in Kilkenny City, just around the corner from the train and bus station.
